Jurassic World Rebirth Movie Review: The dinosaur franchise finally finds its footing again

Gareth Edwards steers the film confidently, leaning into the spectacle without overdoing it. Set in the rain-soaked jungles of Suriname, the film delivers all the dinosaur action you’d expect but adds a dose of atmosphere and urgency.

The mission may be familiar—humans meddling with nature again—but the pacing, visuals, and some smart character work help it land on its feet.

Letting go of nostalgia

Compared to the previous sequels that often felt like overblown theme park rides, this film feels surprisingly focused. There’s a quiet determination in the way it unfolds—as if the filmmakers were genuinely trying to reconnect with the heart of the original.

Part of the reason it works is because it lets go of legacy characters and starts afresh. There’s no attempt to coast on nostalgia here. With a new cast and David Koepp (who wrote the first ‘Jurassic Park’) back on script duties, the story feels cleaner, sharper.

The cinematography is top-notch, especially in the more meditative sequences—like the reveal of herbivores grazing in the valley or the tense chase involving a boat and a sea-dwelling dinosaur. And yes, it’s worth watching in 3D just for those moments alone.

A mission with real stakes

The story hooks you early. A ruthless pharmaceutical tycoon, Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), hires Zora (Scarlett Johansson), a former special ops agent, for a risky mission: collect DNA from three types of dinosaurs—each from land, air, and sea.

Zora says yes, tempted by the money and maybe the danger too. She’s joined by her old colleague Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), while the quiet but insightful Dr. Loomis (Jonathan Bailey)—Krebs’ in-house palaeontologist—helps decode anything and everything about dinosaurs. Running alongside this is a more grounded subplot involving Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a father traveling by sea with his daughters and his eldest's boyfriend.

Their story slowly weaves into the main plot, and together, these arcs give the film some narrative layering without making things too busy.

Fresh faces, strong performances

What really helps this film breathe are the performances. Scarlett Johansson plays Zora with a mix of grit and restraint—you believe her as a soldier but also as someone whose conscience slowly awakens. Mahershala Ali, as Kincaid, brings an effortless ease, providing balance and warmth. Rupert Friend leans into the cold ambition of Krebs, making his presence felt even in the quieter moments.

But it’s Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Loomis who really stands out. There’s something refreshing about the way he plays the character—awkward, knowledgeable, quietly brave.

His scenes with Johansson have a lovely chemistry built not on romance but on mutual respect. It's understated, and that's what makes it work.

Hints of depth beneath the roar

The film also tries to say a few things beyond the dinosaurs. There’s a clear, though never heavy-handed, concern for nature—Dr. Loomis often becomes the voice of reason, reminding us what’s really at stake for us humans.

The critique of mega pharma corporate greed, especially through Krebs, doesn’t scream for attention but sits there, simmering under the surface. ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ isn’t trying to be profound, but it’s also not mindless. It gives the franchise a much-needed second wind. It’s not a return to glory, but it’s a solid, entertaining step forward.

If nothing else, it sets the stage for something better. For the first time in years, it feels like there’s a future for these dinosaurs—and for the stories they’re still waiting to tell.

Rating: 3.5/5