Review #6 | "Jurassic World" (2015)

"Jurassic World?" More like "Jurassic World of Mixed Opinions." Sure, the movie was well made and directed well, but the story was intensely linear. Bad thing happens, bad thing happens, slightly more terrifying thing happens, things happen... so on and so forth until dinosaurs eat each other and everyone we are told we're supposed to care about makes it off of the island. Yay. That's how you make the biggest domestic opening weekend in history, folks!

People who are familiar with the original "Jurassic" movies said they thought they'd seen that story before... in the first three films. The obvious difference is the characters, and that's where the story should have spent more of its time. Chris Pratt does a great job looking like a stud as always these days, and then there's Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing. She looks great, no doubt; Very clean with impeccable makeup and amazing white heels that stay clean and intact through the entire disaster. Is that a positive feminist message? Some say no, some say yes. In an article from DailyMail audience members pointed out that Claire really does need help all. the. time. Like seriously, from managing her visiting nephews to figuring out what exactly she authorized to be made in a genetic lab this girl has some serious issues to figure out. She's a workaholic with a Starbucks addiction. Other audience members agree with the film's director, Colin Trevorrow, that the inherently feminine qualities in Claire are exactly what make her a strong woman. Running around the jungle in clean white heals might suggest the strength of what a woman can do, but it is also much more likely and more easily conceived by the public as a demeaning representation of a woman. Trevorrow also suggested that Claire's transformation from rigid, sterile, manager-lady to loving aunt, sister, and girlfriend are signs that Claire had the strength to fight her way through disaster and come out a changed person. Both sides make sense, but opinions are opinions, we make our own.

Again, maybe everything would be better illuminated by more character content and less of the equally nightmare-inducing plot points. And less advertising. Yes, that means you Starbucks, Pandora, and Jimmy Buffett's Maragaritaville.

Overall, a good movie to see in the theater, but it probably won't end up in the list of best-selling DVD releases.

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"Jurassic World" is rated PG-13

DailyMail Article

MailOnline, Nola Ojomu for. "Jurassic World Comes under Fire for 'sexist' Portrayal of Female Lead Who Runs around in High Heels and Only Gets a Boyfriend by Becoming Softer." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 18 June 2015. Web. 08 July 2015.