WHAT’S SHAKING IN THE MOVIES?
An earthquake? No, we’re talking dinosaurs. The little kid in me perks up. Ashley Reese, my super-talented granddaughter, holds her 16th birthday celebration at CINEPOLIS THEATER in La Costa for a showing of the film – you guessed it – JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM.
Now this would not have been a movie that I would have chosen on my own. The Rotten Tomatoes rating and the Metacritic rating both hover around 50%; while apprehensive, I decide that I’ll make up my own mind. I am further heartened by the fact that audiences seem to be enjoying the film to the tune of 91%. And Steven Spielberg’s name attached to this blockbuster movie alleviates my concern as well.
It certainly doesn’t take too long to surmise why many critics have misgivings about this movie. Formulaic. There’s the free spirit, tough-as-nails heroic guy in love with a reluctant former girlfriend. He comes through over and over again, just as she digs deep and shows her stuff repeatedly when the chips are down as well. Then there’s the sidekick lady with ice in her veins who always can be relied on and the wimpy nerd who is totally out of place in the environment, but shows he is not a loser after all. Let’s not forget an assortment of villains. Get the picture?
Acting is right on target. Chris Pratt (“Owen”) handles the heroic responsibilities with aplomb. Likewise, Bryce Dallas Howard (“Claire”) has just the right amount of passion and savoir faire to nail the contemporary female heroine. She can do it! The other coterie of supporting players also fill the bill for the most part. I have to admit, though, that I was a bit disappointed with the performance of stage veteran B.D.Wong as the unethical scientist.
While I found the premise at the core of the story a tad preposterous, the tale otherwise adheres to the suspenseful checkpoints in fits and starts.
In true Spielberg fashion, all the bells and whistles are sensationally realized. Sitting on the edge of one’s seat, along with required biting of nails, is part of the deal here.
And then there are those dinosaurs! CGI has come a long way; I was not disappointed one iota in the technical achievements of the film. These creatures rock my world. Get out the popcorn, although – let’s be honest – I’ve had my fill of dinosaurs now. How about you?
Buttering the Popcorn…Reflections on Both Marketing Lightweights and Heavyweights from the Contemporary Movie Cornucopia
