The Relevance of Jurassic World to the Times

In anticipation of Jurassic World, the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, I went ahead and re-watched the first 3 movies plus special features on DVD (thanks to an awesome P450.00 offer for a boxed set). As I re watched all 3 movies, I relived my childhood memories of this well loved franchise. 

In my GMovies Member Feature, I talk about how scenes like the greedy lawyer being eaten by the T-Rex (Jurassic Park '93) while sitting in the toilet stuck to my head. It really left an impression on me; I think there was a time I was actually afraid a T-Rex would magically appear while I'm at my most vulnerable in the bathroom. 

For many of us, the Jurassic Park was not just a movie, they are memories. 

22 years after the first film grossed over a billion dollars in the box office. We are once again brought back to Isla Nublar where a theme park that never opened is now a fully operational luxury resort. All is well in the resort but in the search for a new attraction (because apparently Dinosaours aren't wow enough anymore) something is born in the lab, something that has never walked the earth before. Something that is supposed to be "bigger, better, cooler". 

"This is where you play god" 

-Alan Grant (Jurassic Park III- 2001)

Say hello to the Indominus Rex. 

Dr. Wu (B.D. Wong) who played the same geneticist in the first movie, reprises his role and manipulates genes to create a genetically modified dinosaur, one that never existed and whose abilities are still unknown. 

Enter the Indominus Rex, raised in isolation after devouring it's only sibling (not a good sign) is now reaching maturity and preparations in making her the newest park attraction are already underway. 

Zach and Gray - the new kids in  the park. 

Real Characters, Relevant to the Times 

Aside from the new dinosaurs (yes there's more than one) there are also new human characters. I felt as though these characters were so realistic that they made Jurassic World relevant to the times. Despite a span of two decades since the first film, World seems fresh and it's because of the characters whose dreams, hopes and fears are like many of us that they become very real and relatable. 

Because there are always kids in Jurassic Park - 

Gray (Ty Simpkins) is an eleven year old boy who, like other boys his age love dinosaurs and in a world where they actually exist who wouldn't ? He is extremely intelligent and may actually be a genius, he seems to have some social anxiety which is the case more often than not. 

Zach (Nick Robinsons) is Gray's older brother who at 16 likes what boys like-girls. He looks forward to moving out the house when he reaches 18. 

The brothers are sent to spend some quality time with their career driven Aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) who runs Jurassic World. 

Tita (Aunt) Power in Jurassic World 

Claire  Dearing is a very busy woman overseeing about 20,000 guests per day, she gives her nephews special passes and sends them off to explore the resort. Claire is a distant Aunt from her nephews (she doesn't even know how old they are) which creates an interesting dynamic. As a (proud) #TitasOfManila (Aunts Of Manila) - I have no kids yet but I adore my nieces and nephews. I'm glad that this relationship was highlighted in this film. This is especially important in the Filipino culture where the extended family plays an integral part in the upbringing of the children. So hooray for the Titos and Titas! (Uncles and Aunts) out there! 

Another Jurassic Nostalgia: Do you remember who first had the 'flare idea' ? 

An Unlikely Hero 

The last Jurassic Movies had scientists (Paleontologist Alan Grant - Sam Neil and Mathematician Ian Malcolm - Jeff Goldblum)  as it's heroes. For Jurassic World it's ex-military  expert in animal behavior Owen Grady who is currently doing a training study with a pack of Velociraptors to whom he has developed an Alpha relationship. Claire initially asks Owen for help to evaluate the security of the Indominus Rex's Paddock. Owen is strong, decisive and quick to act, he believes in the natural order of things and where humans stand in it. 

"Oh, yeah. Ohhhh, Ahhh, that's how it all starts. Then there's running and um, screaming." 

- Dr. Ian Malcolm 

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) 

All hell breaks loose when the Idominus Rex escapes and wrecks havock as it goes. Claire's nephews have gone missing and she asks for Owen's help to find them. Meanwhile, everyone on the island, human and dinosaur alike are in danger of a killing machine on a rampage. 

Jurassic World does not dissapoint it brings everything you would have expected and more. The dinosaurs are there, running, screaming, the thrill of surviving the unimaginable, everything is brought to life in stunning technology that has progressed in 22 years. Not only does Jurassic Wolrd give us the Dino-carnage we also pick up some lessons along the way. It's impressive that the film sheds light on a fresh family dynamic, an aunt with her nephews. A teenage older brother to his younger sibling: 

"We are brothers. No matter what happens, we will always come back to each other" 

- Zach to Gray (Jurassic World -2015). 

I love that you get a little gem of learning in the movie, so it's not just about the suspense of running away from dinosaurs. :) 

Lots of Jurassic Nostalgia 

It's great that the film was also able to give lots of Jurassic Nostalgia, especially for the fans of the original movie, these fans who were like me, kids when the first movie came out in 1993, that would make us in our late twenties or early thirties 22 years later. The infamous banner in the first movie with the words: "When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth" makes a comeback in the movie, including some old props you would have probably recognized if you've seen the first film. Kudos to all those throwback moments! Of course hearing the original John Williams score gave me goosebumps. 

There was a surprise character in the film who not only helped bring in the Jurassic nostalgia but the subtle humor as well and this is none other than Lowerly (Jake M. Johnson) a computer programmer who works behind the scenes with Claire to keep the resort running. Lowerly is a fan of the original park, as evidence of him wearing a Jurassic Park shirt (which he bought on eBay), his boss Claire thinks this is in bad taste since according to her: "People died there". 

Lowerly does not only proudly wear a Jurassic Park shirt but he also has dinosaur toys on his desk station! :) He is the subtle comic relief in the film and joins the ranks of Jurassic Park Computer Technicians, Ray Arnold (Samuel L. Jackson) and Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight). I think he's my favorite though :) 

My favorite Jurassic Computer Technician. Love your shirt by the way. 

"...Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions."

Alan Grant (Jurassic Park III -2001)

Continuing in making the film relevant, the human antagonist in the movie, Vic Hoskins (Vincent D'Onofrio) is pushing for Owen's Velociraptors to be used as military weapons. It's interesting that somehow, someway, man always finds a way to exploit nature, whether it is through monetary gain or in this case military tactics. 

You'll definitely get more than just Dinosaurs in Jurassic World, yes the advancement in technology will bring bigger, better and more life like creatures but beyond that is a timeless tale of how man meddles with things he should not and in the center of it real characters which makes this story current and relevant. 

It will be a while before I stop talking about this wonderful movie. Given the time and chance I'll probably watch it again. Will definitely wait for it when it comes out in DVD. 

Jurassic World is now showing in cinemas.