'Jurassic World: Rebirth' Trailer Fails to Deliver on Franchise's Promise

Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Step Backwards?

The first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, has arrived, promising a "new era" with a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. While the talent, including the return of original screenwriter David Koepp, is impressive, the trailer's premise feels like a regression for the series. Where is the globally dispersed dinosaur world teased in Fallen Kingdom and Dominion?

The trailer showcases impressive visuals; director Gareth Edwards' expertise in large-scale VFX is evident in the dinosaurs' realistic portrayal. The action sequences look promising, and the sheer amount of dinosaur screen time is reassuring. However, the lack of focus on the "world of dinosaurs" concept, a key element hinted at in previous films, is a significant concern.

The trailer reveals a new island setting, described as the original Jurassic Park research facility. This feels like a retread of familiar territory, ignoring the established global dinosaur population from Dominion. The official synopsis explains that the planet's ecology is inhospitable to dinosaurs, forcing them into isolated equatorial environments. This feels like an unnecessary course correction, abandoning the potential of a truly global dinosaur world.

The decision to return to an isolated island setting seems particularly baffling given Dominion's ending. The Malta chase sequence, featuring dinosaurs in an urban setting, was arguably the most creative and exciting moment in the previous film. Why revert to the familiar island trope when the series has already established the potential for more diverse and innovative settings?

While Rebirth might have more surprises in store, the trailer's emphasis on a secluded island setting is disappointing. The rumored original title, Jurassic City, suggests a different direction that the trailer may be deliberately obscuring. The Jurassic franchise is a guaranteed box office success, making this a missed opportunity to truly innovate and expand the series' horizons beyond the well-worn island setting. The hope is that Rebirth will ultimately prove this initial impression wrong and embrace the potential of a truly evolved dinosaur-populated world.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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