Scarlett Johansson leads the new era as Zora Bennett, a covert‑ops expert tasked with extracting dinosaur DNA to develop a life‑saving heart disease treatment. Fine supporting turns from Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid, the calm team leader, and Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis, the curious and slightly geeky paleontologist who even performs a clarinet solo in the score—yes, you read that right.
Together they encounter Rupert Friend’s sleek pharmaceutical rep Martin Krebs and Manuel Garcia‑Rulfo’s devoted father Reuben Delgado, who with his two daughters Teresa and Isabella (played by Luna Blaise and Audrina Miranda) and Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono) become stranded on the dinosaur island during a sea rescue mission.
Visually, Gareth Edwards leans into practical effects and real locations—from Thai jungles to Malta—eschewing CGI shimmer for tactile realism that calls back to Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park. Cinematographer John Mathieson captures jungle shadows and misty equatorial light in ways that feel lived‑in, while composer Alexandre Desplat weaves John Williams’ classic themes into a lush score recorded at Abbey Road Studios, with choral and orchestral swells that underscore the film’s emotional stakes.
Character arcs feel more developed than in previous installments. Johansson’s Zora is rugged and believable, Ali’s Duncan quietly grounded, and Bailey adds a nerd‑charm that’s unexpectedly endearing (glasses and clarinet solos, anyone?).
Of course, not everything works. The second act lags under exposition-heavy biotech talk, and the pacing sags before ramping back up. The familiar beat of the T. rex swooping in yet again feels safe to a fault. Some critics even pointed out awkward product placement moments that jar the immersion.
Still, Rebirth earns its name. It’s the first Jurassic World film to genuinely feel like a fresh chapter—rooted in adventure, grounded in character, and reminding us that dinosaurs aren’t just blockbuster mascots but awe‑inspiring forces. It’s the most spirited entry since ‘93’s original. And hey, if dinosaurs really do get a spin at our survival, maybe they could do worse than thief‑turned‑hero Zora Bennett calling the shots.
RHFC Rating 8.5/10 🍿
