{"id":2335,"date":"2018-11-14T13:17:01","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T12:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T19:19:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:19:06","slug":"review-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

We appreciated Jurassic World<\/strong> (2015) for its engaging pace and Chris Pratt’s performance. Consequently, the sequel to the spin-off, Jurassic World<\/em>, was anticipated (the Park<\/strong> concept having been superseded after 20 years). Colin Trevorrow<\/strong> contributed to the screenplay, and the accomplished Spanish director JA Bayona<\/strong> (The Orphanage<\/strong><\/a>, The Impossible<\/strong><\/a>, etc.) helmed the direction. Expectations were therefore high when the UHD 4K<\/strong> edition of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom<\/strong> arrived for review and was tested in our reference cinema.<\/p>\n

Following the events of the previous film, where the park’s inhabitants ran rampant and dinosaurs were released, Isla Nebular has become a restricted zone populated by surviving prehistoric reptiles. Compounding the situation, a dormant volcano has reactivated, threatening the remaining dinosaurs with extinction (for a second time) unless the US government intervenes. Simultaneously, the Lockwood Foundation, led by Jurassic Park founder Hammond’s former partner Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell<\/strong>), initiates its own operation, recruiting Owen Grady (Chris Pratt<\/strong>) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard<\/strong>) for a rescue mission. However, the situation is more complex than it initially appears.<\/p>\n

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom<\/em> arrives as a comprehensive UHD 4K edition, notable for its selection of the DTS:X<\/strong> format as its premium audio format, diverging from the more prevalent Dolby Atmos. Based on experiences dating back to the dvdforum era, we find that DTS often delivers a warmer and more immersive sound, attributable to both the levels and the overall characteristics of the audio mix. Fallen Kingdom<\/em> provides clear and deep bass response alongside highly detailed surround sound imaging. On multiple occasions, ambient sounds within the mix created a sense of genuine environmental activity, showcasing the immersive quality (drawing on our 20 years of experience with high-quality surround sound).<\/p>\n

The image resolution and color fidelity are excellent. HDR implementation is most effective in daylight scenes, though a significant portion of the film occurs at night or in dimly lit environments. Even in these darker scenes, the balance is well-maintained \u2013 lamps illuminate the darkness realistically, and the contrast between illuminated and dark surfaces is sharp. In a properly darkened room, this offers a compelling UHD 4K home cinema experience. The supplemental material is engaging; a highlight is the short behind-the-scenes film created by Bryce and Chris. Their off-screen chemistry proves even more engaging than their on-screen performances. Pratt also presents a video diary from the recording process, highlighting the contributions of various crew members, including makeup artists, divers, and stunt performers. This is both informative for viewers and a commendable initiative, though presented in short, social media-friendly segments.<\/p>\n

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom<\/em> demonstrates strong technical execution as a film, but the narrative is relatively conventional and the film functions as a somewhat formulaic sequel. While JA Bayona<\/strong> injects some poignant and entertaining moments, the overall impression is of a standard Hollywood production, potentially influenced by studio oversight. The film touches on themes of environmental destruction and our responsibility towards other species, and the ending provides some amusement, but much of the content feels familiar. Chris Pratt remains a strong presence. The remaining performances are mixed, with Bryce Dallas Howard delivering a competent performance alongside some less convincing portrayals. If Claire’s high-heeled run through the woods in the previous film was questionable, some of the supporting characters reach new levels of implausibility: from the stereotypical teenage “data hacker” to the comic book-esque “cool dinosaur veterinarian” (!), and culminating in the arch-villain Wheatly \u2013 played by Ted Levine (renowned for his role as James Gumb in The Silence of the Lambs<\/strong>) \u2013 whose performance occasionally seems incongruous with the film’s tone (perhaps comedic, if viewed in isolation).<\/p>\n

To be clear, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom<\/em> is not a poor film, and it provides reasonable entertainment for viewers who enjoy the genre, particularly those with a 4K home theater setup with good surround sound and HDR capabilities. However, much of the film feels predictable, and the impact of animated dinosaurs \u2013 regardless of their quality \u2013 is diminished compared to the original Jurassic Park<\/strong> (1993). It may be prudent to allow the dinosaurs to become extinct permanently and explore new concepts before the franchise is exhausted (though several sequels are anticipated, particularly given this film’s strong box office performance).<\/p>\n