When Steven Spielberg released Jurassic Park in 1993, it worked brilliantly because it struck the perfect balance between cutting-edge spectacle and grounded storytelling.
Spielberg did not just deliver in terms of ground-breaking visual effects, but rather gave the audience a compelling story that was rooted in awe, fear, and ethical caution. The maverick filmmaker treated the dinosaurs, not as monsters, but as majestic beings whose presence evoked dread and wonder in equal measure. That coupled with a tight script, an iconic score and memorable characters made Jurassic Park a thrilling watch reminding audience of nature’s power and the consequences of playing God.
When Jurassic World Rebirth was first announced, there was a palpable excitement that swept across the fanbase. A fresh instalment in one of cinema’s most beloved franchises warranted both adulation and speculation. And with Scarlet Johansson joining the dino-verse, it was almost like dream come true. However, as the film nears its July 4 release date, suddenly, expectations have become divided. There is an equal measure of anticipation and apprehension.
And at the heart of this divide is a controversial creative choice – mutant dinosaurs. While previous iterations have showcased realistic prehistoric predators, Rebirth takes things a step further. Going by trailers, the film introduces heavily engineered, hybrid creatures that some fans are arguing strays too far from the franchise’s roots.
From Science Fiction to Sci-Fantasy
Steven Spielberg’s OG Jurassic Park (1993), was built on the premise of science gone too far, using recovered DNA to resurrect dinosaurs. Yes, it was fiction, but it was grounded in real science and a sense of awe that the audience could not deny. The whole film was based on a premise of believability.
On the contrary, 22 years later, Jurassic World Rebirth is no longer only about dinosaurs. Instead, it seems that fans will be met with super-powered monsters. First viewers and leaked footage hint at genetically enhanced raptors with camouflage abilities, winged predators with heat vision, and even a mysterious bioluminescent T. rex hybrid that glows in the dark and has six limbs! For many true blue fans of the dino franchise, this has become more Marvelesque than a Jurassic one.
The Legacy of the Indominus Rex
Truth be told, The Jurassic World trilogy already laid the groundwork for genetic escalation. Jurassic World when it released in 2015, introduced the Indominus Rex, a terrifying hybrid engineered creature designed to draw bigger crowds to the park. Then came Fallen Kingdom, which showcased the Indoraptor. These creatures, both of them pushed the boundaries of plausibility, but still existed within the ethical framework the franchise had established, that of questionability concerning human ambition, greed and control.
However, Rebirth seems to discard that plausibility altogether. It seems that the cautionary tale that Jurassic Park was in its inception has been replaced by a bigger philosophy, and for many fans, in the process, it has lost its heart.
A Clash of Generations
Perhaps not all fans are disappointed. Young Audiences, who have grown up with the Jurassic World films rather than the original trilogy are definitely more open to the idea of genetically enhanced dinosaurs. However, older fans, rooted in the idea of the original concept, purists feel that the shift represents a betrayal.
“The original Jurassic Park meant everything to me as a kid. It still means everything- Spielberg’s magic is still here. But they’ve nearly bastardized this beautiful, original film by turning Jurassic Park into a bullshit “franchise”,” shared one Twitter user, hinting that the way the film has lost focus from its original description.
A second user shared, “This tired sequel trades dino-thrills for baffling plot choices and half-baked ideas. Bloated, joyless, and weirdly self-serious, it’s beyond time to let this franchise go extinct.”
“Honestly disappointed that Jurassic World is leaning more heavily into the mutant dinosaur bit. Not so much Mutadon, because that’s not far off from what they did with Indominus Rex, but Distortus Rex? …we already have plenty of media with alien-looking monsters like this,” shared a third person.
Is Franchise Fatigue to Blame?
Could it be that Rebirth is suffering from a franchise fatigue? As studios struggle to stay relevant, they often resort to spectacle over substance, a phenomenon, even the Marvel Cinematic Universe has suffered over the last few movies. Could it be that the evolution of the franchise is actually alienating he audiences that made it the legacy watch it is? In trying to appeal to a broader audience base, Rebirth may actually end up pleasing no one.
Can Jurassic World Rebirth Still Deliver?
Despite a little bit of backlash, first viewers have also lauded its strong cast, including Scarlet Johansson and Jonathan Bailey. The film also promises high production value and a return to more practical effects. If director Gareth Edwards manages to balance spectacle with grounded storytelling, Rebirth could still redeem itself in the eyes of skeptics.
What’s at Stake for the Jurassic Park Franchise?
The Jurassic franchise has always been more than just dinosaur mayhem-it’s about man’s innate relationship with nature, the consequences of unchecked ambition, and the illusion of control. If Rebirth forgets those themes in favour of mutant monsters and over-the-top action, it may end up as a cautionary tale itself-about what happens when a franchise mutates too far from its origins.