Jurassic World rebirth resurrects the dinosaur saga

How Jurassic World Rebirth resurrects the dinosaur saga

Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by the original screenwriter of Jurassic Park, David Koepp, Jurassic World Rebirth was released in theaters on July 2, 2025. Set five years after Dominion, this new installment relaunches the franchise as a standalone adventure centered on dinosaurs. Scarlett Johansson (Zora Bennett), Jonathan Bailey (Dr. Henry Loomis), and Mahershala Ali (Captain Duncan Kincaid) star as a team sent to an isolated equatorial atoll where the last remaining specimens of living dinosaurs still exist.

digging deeper: plot and prehistoric authenticity

mission to retrieve ancient DNA

In a scenario rooted in paleogenetics, a fictional pharmaceutical company, ParkerGenix, commissions Zora and Dr. Loomis to recover dinosaur biomaterial for the development of a cardiovascular treatment. Their mission intersects with that of a family on vacation, turning the scientific expedition into a fight for survival.

A tribute to Spielberg's scientific wonder

Steven Spielberg, who was involved from pre-production onwards, ensured that the film revives the scientific spirit and wonder that were the strength of the first Jurassic Park. Director Gareth Edwards incorporates numerous visual references to Jaws and other classics to revive the original cinematic spirit.

visual spectacle and palaeoartistry

animatronics vs cgi: blending realism

The creatures were recreated using a combination of animatronics and digital effects. The ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) team, advised by paleontologist Stephen Brusatte, ensured the anatomical accuracy of species such as Spinosaurus, Titanosaurus, and the Mutadon hybrids. The star of the show remains the Distortus rex, a chimera between a T-rex and a nightmarish creature with a globular skull and ape-like arms.

paleoartistic detail in creature design

The Mutadons—hybrids between pterosaurs and velociraptors—were inspired by paleoart sketches and contemporary animal forms such as bats. Spinosaurus was redesigned with webbed feet, fatty pads, and reptilian forelimbs, in line with the latest paleontological hypotheses.

roaring reception: critics and fossil fanatics

box office success

Released over the July 4 weekend, Rebirth grossed approximately $141 million in the US in five days, topping the box office with $26 million on its opening day.

Critical reception: a mixed bag

• Entertainment Weekly praised the visual spectacle and Jonathan Bailey's performance as the paleontologist.
• The Washington Post appreciated the return to basics but noted uneven special effects.
• Houston Chronicle criticized the weak human plot despite convincing dinosaur scenes.
• Los Angeles Times found the Distortus rex grotesque and the scale of the creatures inconsistent.
• The Guardian acknowledged the effective homage to Spielberg's style despite a predictable plot.
• Several film blogs highlighted the guilty pleasure of the reptilian chaos and spectacular bites, even if the whole thing lacks subtlety.

palaeontological accuracy vs cinematic licence

believable dinosaurs on screen

The return to closed island habitats recalls the foundations of Jurassic Park, where enclosed ecosystems become natural laboratories for dinosaurs. A chase sequence involving a T-rex in a river is inspired by a scene deleted from the original film.

hybrid creatures and ethical dilemmas

The presence of mutant dinosaurs raises questions about the dangers of genetic engineering. The Distortus rex and the Mutadons embody the crossover between science and monstrosity. Viewers are invited to ask themselves: do we have the right to bring extinct species back to life... and at what cost?

Should you clone this dinosaur adventure?

For paleontology enthusiasts

If you love anatomical details, prehistoric ecosystems, and meticulously designed creatures, Rebirth will delight you. Even if some creatures stray from scientific realism, the overall effect is visually spectacular.

For fans of the Jurassic saga

The film is full of nods to previous installments, with constant tension, lush jungle and breathless escape scenes. Johansson and Bailey bring a breath of fresh air, even if the human plot remains secondary.

For critical film buffs

Those expecting a narrative revolution or deep reflection may be left wanting more. But for those who want to see dinosaurs running, roaring, and hunting in a tropical setting, the film delivers what it promises.

Digging for legacy: what this means for dinosaur cinema

With a strong start and mixed reviews, Rebirth ensures the longevity of the Jurassic franchise. Its artistic direction, paleontological ambition, and hybrid choices could pave the way for new spin-offs, or even immersive experiences inspired by natural history museums.

Conclusion: a mixed excavation that still makes dinosaurs roar

Jurassic World Rebirth is not a paleontological masterpiece, but it successfully revives the public's fascination with dinosaurs. With its wild hybridizations, nostalgic nods, and spectacular sequences, the film deserves its place among the great prehistoric epics of modern cinema.

My personal opinion:

I've been a fan of the wise Jurassic Park series since the beginning, especially the first movie! Few movies can hold a candle to it, even today. It made me want to be a paleontologist. And that desire has never left me. Life had other plans for me, but I've always kept my passion for dinosaurs intact! That's probably where my love for dragons comes from ^^. I wasn't expecting much from this new film. After the first three, the rest became bland. I'm neither disappointed nor “not disappointed.” With the actors and directors, they could have made a very good film, but no... This sequel is just spectacle, without substance.
The only scene that brought out the little girl in me was the scene with the titanosaurs in the cornfield. A beautiful tribute, and the dinosaurs are just sublime! And the music...