The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises have fascinated moviegoers for decades. With the release of Jurassic World: Dominion, many are asking: Is this the final chapter of the dinosaur saga? This article delves deep into Jurassic World: Dominion, its storyline, the possibilities of future films, and the legacy of one of cinema’s most beloved franchises.
The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World Legacy
A Brief Overview of Jurassic Park
The Jurassic Park franchise began in 1993, based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film became a worldwide sensation, merging groundbreaking visual effects with thrilling storytelling. It was one of the first films to realistically depict dinosaurs using CGI, and its success led to two sequels, The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001).
Each film focused on the idea of resurrecting dinosaurs and the dangers that came with it, offering not just action but thought-provoking commentary on humanity’s hubris in tampering with nature. Jurassic Park did more than entertain; it challenged viewers to think about the ethical implications of science and technology.
The Revival: Jurassic World
Fourteen years after Jurassic Park III, the franchise was revived with Jurassic World (2015). Directed by Colin Trevorrow, it brought the story into the 21st century, focusing on a fully operational dinosaur theme park. This time, the park was a success—until it wasn’t. The film introduced new characters like Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), while also bringing back the same dinosaur thrills.
The success of Jurassic World led to a new trilogy. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) dealt with the ethical dilemmas of saving the dinosaurs from extinction (again), while introducing the concept of dinosaurs living alongside humans. The trilogy’s final installment, Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), took these themes to new heights. But was this truly the end?
See also: Will There Be Another Jurassic World Movie?
What is Jurassic World: Dominion About?
Jurassic World: Dominion picks up four years after the events of Fallen Kingdom, where dinosaurs have escaped into the human world. No longer confined to islands or parks, the film explores a world where dinosaurs and humans must coexist. The movie is packed with action, emotion, and nostalgia, as it brings back the original Jurassic Park characters Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).
The Plot
The main story revolves around the struggle to protect humanity from the threat of dinosaur overpopulation. Corporations, governments, and rogue individuals each have their own agendas, and ethical questions arise over what role humans should play in the fate of these resurrected species.
Owen and Claire, now parents to a clone girl named Maisie Lockwood, navigate a world where dinosaurs are a part of daily life. They must rescue Maisie after she is kidnapped by a bio-engineering corporation, Biosyn, which has sinister plans involving dinosaurs.
While the stakes are global, the movie is not just about dinosaurs versus humans. It also addresses the broader implications of genetic manipulation and the unintended consequences of scientific advancements. Throughout the film, various characters grapple with questions of responsibility, ethics, and what it means to coexist with other species.
The Return of the Original Cast
One of the key selling points of Dominion is the return of the original Jurassic Park trio: Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm. Their inclusion adds a sense of closure to the franchise, as they team up with the newer characters to save the world once again.
These beloved characters are not just there for fan service; they play a crucial role in the story. Ellie is determined to expose Biosyn’s unethical practices, Grant is still the dinosaur expert who reluctantly gets drawn into the fray, and Malcolm continues to provide his witty insights into the chaos around them.
The Themes and Legacy of Jurassic World
Themes of Science and Ethics
One of the central themes of the Jurassic franchise has always been the ethical questions surrounding science and genetic engineering. In Jurassic Park, the focus was on the dangers of resurrecting extinct species. By Jurassic World: Dominion, the scope has expanded to include not just dinosaurs, but the entire field of bioengineering. The creation of hybrid dinosaurs, the cloning of humans, and the moral responsibility of scientists are all issues explored in the films.
The franchise serves as a cautionary tale about humanity’s relationship with nature and technology. As Dr. Ian Malcolm famously says, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” This quote captures the essence of the franchise’s message: just because we have the technology to do something doesn’t mean we should use it without considering the consequences.
Dinosaurs as Metaphors
Dinosaurs in the Jurassic franchise are not just thrilling creatures for the audience to marvel at; they are metaphors for humanity’s overreach. The films explore how humans try to control nature, often with disastrous results. Whether it’s creating theme parks with living dinosaurs or attempting to weaponize them, the franchise highlights the dangers of exploiting nature for profit and power.
In Dominion, the fact that dinosaurs have spread across the globe can be seen as a reflection of how human actions—whether through environmental destruction or unchecked scientific ambition—have far-reaching, uncontrollable consequences.
The Nostalgia Factor
Part of what makes Dominion so special is the way it taps into nostalgia. The original Jurassic Park films are iconic, and for many fans, seeing the original cast return is a dream come true. But the film doesn’t rely solely on nostalgia; it also pushes the story forward, creating a satisfying conclusion for longtime fans while also setting the stage for new possibilities.
Nostalgia has been a driving force in the success of many modern films, and Jurassic World is no exception. By honoring the legacy of the original films while introducing new elements, Dominion strikes a balance that appeals to both new audiences and those who grew up with the franchise.
Conclusion
While Jurassic World: Dominion is marketed as the conclusion of the Jurassic World trilogy, it is unlikely to be the final chapter in the larger Jurassic franchise. The film wraps up many of the storylines introduced in the previous films, offering a sense of closure. However, the world it establishes—one where dinosaurs and humans coexist—opens up new avenues for future stories.
Whether through spin-offs, new trilogies, or even television series, it’s clear that the Jurassic franchise still has plenty of life left in it. The enduring popularity of dinosaurs, combined with the ethical and scientific questions the films explore, means that the world of Jurassic is one that filmmakers and audiences will likely revisit in the years to come.
In the end, while Dominion may mark the end of one chapter, it seems more like the beginning of a new era—one where dinosaurs are not confined to islands or parks, but roam the Earth alongside humanity. The story is far from over.
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