Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Jurassic World Rebirth.Despite a mixed critical reception,Jurassic World Rebirthlooks to be off to a terrific start atthe box office, with the film already surpassing$334 million worldwide. The new installment of theJurassic Parkfilm series has its pros and cons, specifically concerning the way it focuses onnew mutant hybrid dinosaursoverthe more traditional Jurassic dinos. However, one specific area ofJurassic World Rebirthgives it an edge over its six predecessors: the oceanic scenes featuring the water-based dinosaurs.Jurassic World Rebirthhandles these moments and creatures head and shoulders above the previous movies, and that warrants further exploration.
The Mosasaurus Sequence Provides the Highlight of ‘Rebirth’
One of the key sequences inJurassic World Rebirthshowcases the expedition orchestrated by Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) hunting a Mosasaurus to procure a DNA sample from the creature. The Mosasaurus has previously played a featured role inJurassic WorldandJurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, butJurassic World Rebirthfinally highlights the creature in its purest form:an ocean-based apex predator. In its past appearances, the Mosasaurus was usually either confined to a tank or escaping from confinement. Now, the Mosasaurus can roam freely. An earlier scene where the creature capsizes the Delgado family’s boat establishes the Mosasaurus' strength and threat, and it’s not a beast to take lightly.
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Can you survive the ride?
The scene where Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) must engage in a dogfight with the Mosasaurus is epically staged and realized. It’s a scene whereJurassic World Rebirthfully realizes the majesty of the Mosasaurus, and it clearly takes inspiration from the classicSteven Spielbergfilm,Jaws. The sequence proves unique for the film franchise since none of the previous films staged an action sequence where the humans must engage an ocean-based dinosaur on its own turf.
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Imbues the Spinosaurus With Frightening New Menace
Jurassic World Rebirthalso effectively imbues the Spinosaurus,an established franchise veteran, with a frightening new edge that the creature hasnever demonstrated in previous installments. True, the Spinosaurus acted as the main baddie inJurassic Park III, but it was more or lessa land-based creature in the threequel.Rebirthshowcases the Spinosaurus as an amphibious dinosaur, capable of attacking on land and water, adding a fresh layer of menace. In the film, a pack of Spinosaurus acts in a symbiotic relationship with the Mosasaurus, and they also attack the boat of Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) when Bobby Atwater (Ed Skrein) foolishly starts using a neurotoxin gun to attack the pack in their hunting waters. The way the dinosaurs attack the boat and then target another member of the team on the beach is spine-chilling. Expanding the Spinosaurus by showcasing its amphibious nature makes the creature look more dangerous than ever.
Yes, the Tyrannosaurus Rex Can Swim
Finally,Jurassic World Rebirthshowcases how the Tyrannosaurus Rex can swim. In one of the most suspenseful sequences in the film, Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), his oldest daughter Teresa (Luna Blaise), his youngest daughter Isabella (Audrina Miranda), and Teresa’s boyfriend, Xavier Dobbs (David Iacono), are pursued by a gargantuan Tyrannosaurus Rex down a river. It adaptsa famous sequencefromMichael Crichton’soriginalJurassic Parknovel. The sequence was conceived and storyboarded forthe 1993 feature directed by Steven Spielberg, but was never filmed. The T. rex isone of the franchise’s most iconic dinosaurs, but audiences have never before gotten the opportunity to see it swim. At first, there’s a sense of relief when the characters take to the raft, but then, seeing the T. rex descend into the water establishes the terrifying and dangerous nature ofthe primeval beast.
It was exciting to finally see the T. rex take to the water, as scientists have asserted that its species was “a strong, yet unsteady, swimmer.” Thankfully, the Delgados make it out of the ordeal intact, butthe river raft sequence had our hearts pounding. That scene, directly inspired by Crichton’s original novel, serves as the icing on top of the cake. Despite its flaws, it was fun to seeJurassic World Rebirthoffer focus to the Mosasaurus and portray the water-based skills of other dinosaurs, such as the T. Rex and Spinosaurus. The effective showcasing of alternate sides and tricks of the classic dinosaurs that have never been shown onscreen before livens up the experience.
Jurassic World Rebirth
