Movies
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review
Review Ratings
Final Review Score
Amazing
Directed by J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, A Monster Calls) and co-written by Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) steered the mega-hit trilogy in a distinctly moody, gothic direction. Splitting its narrative between an apocalyptic volcanic eruption on a tropical island and a haunted-house thriller set inside a sprawling Northern California estate, the film introduced stylized visual horror, genetic cloning twists, and bio-weaponry to the series. In this detailed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom movie review, we examine how Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, the terrifying Indoraptor, and Michael Giacchino’s dramatic score shaped this high-stakes sequel.
Isla Nublar’s Destruction, The Black-Market Auction, and the Indoraptor
Three years after the collapse of the Jurassic World theme park, Isla Nublar’s dormant volcano, Mount Sibo, violently rouses back to life, threatening the surviving de-extinct dinosaurs with total extinction. Former park manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), now leading the Dinosaur Protection Group, recruits velociraptor expert Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to join a mercenary rescue operation funded by Eli Mills (Rafe Spall), the ambitious assistant of John Hammond’s former partner, Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell). However, upon capturing the intelligent raptor Blue, Owen and Claire are betrayed by Mills, who plans to auction the rescued prehistoric animals to global arms dealers at Lockwood Manor. Worse still, geneticist Dr. Henry Wu (BD Wong) has weaponized dinosaur DNA once more to unleash a terrifying, sound-activated prototype apex predator: the Indoraptor.
Character Dynamics, Gothic Tropes, and New Lore Expansion
Chris Pratt brings familiar charismatic athleticism and quips as Owen, paired with Bryce Dallas Howard‘s resolute action heroics as Claire. Rafe Spall and Toby Jones deliver sharp villainy as profit-driven facilitators of human exploitation, while young breakout star Isabella Sermon introduces emotional weight and a game-changing twist as Maisie Lockwood. The film also features a memorable bookending cameo by Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm, offering grim, philosophical testimony on man’s hubris and the inevitability of a new prehistoric era.
Shadow-Drenched Visual Direction, Animatronics, and Michael Giacchino’s Score
J.A. Bayona brought a masterclass in tension and visual geometry to the franchise, pivoting the second half into a classic gothic horror framework. The cinematography features shadow-drenched corridors, lightning flashes, rain-soaked rooftops, and terrifying silhouettes—most notably the Indoraptor creeping into a child’s bedroom. Practical animatronics made a strong return alongside high-end CGI, providing realistic physical interactions for close-up shots of Blue and a tranquilized T-Rex. Composer Michael Giacchino crafted a dramatic, operatic score rich with dark choral arrangements, ominous brass fanfares, and gothic suspense motifs.
The Final Verdict
Ultimately, this Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom review celebrates a visually distinctive, action-packed, and bold entry in the long-running sci-fi franchise. Driven by J.A. Bayona’s atmospheric direction, impressive visual effects set pieces, and a game-changing ending that fundamentally altered the world’s status quo, it delivers a thrilling blend of disaster scale and creature horror.
Information
- Title: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
- Release Date: June 22, 2018
- Director: J.A. Bayona
- Key Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, James Cromwell, Toby Jones, Ted Levine, BD Wong, Isabella Sermon, Jeff Goldblum
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Horror
This post is part of Jurassic Park Movies Ranked