Life finds a way, once again.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” roars into theaters with a fresh blend of heart and mutant dinosaurs. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by “Jurassic Park” veteran David Koepp, this latest entry in the franchise is set five years after the chaotic events of “Jurassic World: Dominion”. Dinosaurs haven’t exactly acclimated to modern society, and the few that remain now roam isolated equatorial regions where humans, of course, are ready to exploit them, again.
Pharma rep Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) enlists covert operative Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) to lead a mission to a mysterious island in the Atlantic to harvest DNA from three massive creatures: the Mosasaurus, the Quetzalcoatlus, and the Titanosaurus. Joining them are paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and the emotionally reserved Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali). Their goal? Create a revolutionary drug and turn a serious profit. Naturally.
Thrown into the mix is the Delgado family, played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, and scene-stealer David Iacono, who are shipwrecked on the island and swept up in the mission.
What follows is a thrilling blend of land, sea, and air-based chaos, delivered with thrilling set pieces and emotional grounding.
The film builds slowly during its recruiting phase, but once the boat hits the water, it never lets up. A Mosasaurus pursuit through jagged Atlantic rock formations is pure summer movie magic. Edwards and cinematographer John Mathieson treat the dinosaurs with reverence, capturing awe and dread in equal measure. Alexandre Desplat’s score weaves beautifully with iconic John Williams cues, cementing the film’s emotional beats.
Johansson is at her most physical and commanding, Bailey brings heartfelt wonder, and Ali lends quiet gravitas. It’s not just about survival—each character carries emotional stakes, from grief and redemption to the search for purpose. The introduction of mutant dinosaurs could have derailed things, but their grotesque designs and limited use only heighten the stakes.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” is more than a franchise extension—it’s a smart, emotionally resonant blockbuster that earns its place in the pantheon and an optimistic reminder of why we fell in love with dinosaurs on the big screen to begin with.
Watch the full review now on The Wandering Screen with Matt Koss on YouTube.
Letter grade: B+