Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Official Australian release date: 21/6/18. Viewed: 20/6/18.

Director: Juan Bayona

Actors: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Rafe Spall, Isabella Sermon

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi

Rating: M

   

‘Jurassic Park 5’ starts pretty well, with the giant crocodile thing & sense of foreboding doom, as we’re reintroduced to Isla Nublar and what’s happened to the abandoned park in the last three years. Both Claire (Dallas Howard) & Owen (Pratt) are brought back in to help rescue the dinosaurs – basically it’s a mash up of the plots of JP2 & JP3. My only wish for the film – we see dinosaurs kill over five humans…

They try to bring back Ian Malcolm (Goldblum), but he’s given far too little screen time, as are the new sidekicks – Franklin (Smith), Zia (Pineda) & Maisie (Sermon). You sort of get to know them, and then they’re hardly used. The same could almost be said of Pratt, who almost seems a passenger in the film, basically phoning it in. Cromwell and Jones are likewise great actors underutilised. The only one who plays his part with relish is Eli (Spall), the profiteer.

There’s some good scenes – and a few frights done well where I had to clap – but overall, I’m left feeling that the film didn’t really add anything to the franchise or story. Sure, we get to see plenty of dinosaurs (including a stegosaurus, yay!) for a few minutes, but mostly its’s spent in a weird CGI-castle. The “bad guy” is another genetically-improved raptor (didn’t that happen last film?) and there’s plenty of what I’m sure the director hopes are call-backs, but just seem lazy. I don’t like how they only pull out the T. Rex when convenient. Still, there was at least 10 people eaten by dinosaurs, so it’s not all bad…

Overall: Starting to overstay it’s welcome, but still – dinosaurs!

Gav's Rating: 3 stars.

Incredibles 2

Official Australian release date: 14/6/18. Viewed: 14/6/18.

Director: Brad Bird

Actors: Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Bob Odenkirk

Genre: Action / Adventure

Rating: PG

   

‘Incredibles 2’ is the long-awaited (14 years!) sequel to one of Disney-Pixar’s best films. Bucking the norm, this film is actually better than the original – it’s more assured, the CGI is fantastic, the action scenes almost flawless and there’s plenty of humour and life-like family interaction. That being said – it’s almost worth the entry fee to see the short film at the start, ‘Bao’ – it’s also hilarious, and poignant.

It’s like putting on an old shirt – it’s familiar, but comforting and not tired. Mr Incredible/Bob (Nelson), Elastigirl/Helen (Hunter), their kids – Violet (Vowell), Dash (Milner) & Jack-Jack (Fucile) – are back as the super-powered family, along with Frozone/Lucius (Jackson). This time, after a ‘Civil War’-like ban on superheroes is implemented, philanthropists/siblings Winston (Odenkirk) & Evelyn (Keener) campaign to have superheroes made legal again by putting them – well, Elastigirl – back in the spotlight. Odenkirk’s voice is so recognisable and his character even looks like a young Saul Goodman!

As well as being a bit of a pastiche of comic book films – you basically have Superman, Mr Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Flash and Iceman – ‘Incredibles 2’ transcends the parody, and plays as an exceptional superhero film in it’s own right, with the set-up, early victory, apparent loss and inevitable triumph due to teamwork. What makes it all work is how they interact and make it feel like a real family. Jack-Jack being cute and having hilarious giggles also helps! Great for all ages.

Overall: Another excellent, fun animated superhero outing.

Gav's Rating: 4 stars.