What to watch on the big and small screens
Sci-fi action. With Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Rafe Spall. Director: JA Bayona. 13LV. This fifth movie in the Jurassic Park franchise picks up three years after the Jurassic World theme park on Isla Nublar was abandoned when the genetically engineered Indominus Rex broke out and started eating tourists.
Dinosaurs have been allowed to roam free on the island but now an erupting volcano threatens their existence and a global debate rages about whether they should be saved. When park manager-turned-dinosaur rights activist Claire Dearing (Howard) receives funding for a secret rescue operation, she persuades ex-boyfriend Owen Grady (Pratt), the park’s animal behaviourist, to join her.
After Jurassic Park’s two sequels, The Lost World (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001), failed to live up to expectations, fourth instalment Jurassic World (2015) revitalised the franchise by harking back to the thrilling set pieces, clever script and likeable characters that made Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film so enjoyable. Unfortunately Fallen Kingdom emulates The Lost World in that it starts off promisingly, offers up its biggest and best set piece halfway through then descends into somewhat silly, overwrought plot developments.
Half of the film is a nail-biter disaster movie in the vein of Bayona’s The Impossible (2012), while the less effective second half emulates his horror film The Orphanage (2007). On the plus side, you’re never sure where the story is headed, there are many laugh-outloud moments and Howard and Pratt still have great chemistry.