If you’re like me and have been burned by recent entries in the Jurassic saga, you probably went into Jurassic World: Rebirth with cautious optimism. After Fallen Kingdom and Dominion, many fans were ready to give up on this franchise altogether. So, how does Rebirth stack up? Surprisingly… not bad.

Expectations vs Reality

Going in, my expectations were somewhere in the middle. I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece, but I was hoping for something better than what we’ve seen in the last few years. And I got that. Rebirth isn’t perfect, but it feels like a genuine attempt to steer the franchise back on track. It offers more than just dinosaur spectacle. It feels like it has a point.

A Simpler Story (Mostly a Good Thing)

The story here isn’t the deepest, but it’s refreshingly straightforward. No need for a conspiracy corkboard to follow what’s going on. The setup is clean, the stakes are clear, and for the most part, it avoids being overly convoluted. That alone puts it ahead of the last two movies.

But it’s not without its issues. The opening sequence sets up something intriguing, but the film never really circles back to flesh it out. There’s clearly more backstory we’re not getting. Maybe they’re saving that for a sequel, which seems likely.

Characters That Feel Like People (Mostly)

This time around, the characters avoid feeling like stock types thrown in to get eaten or scream at CGI. Mahershala Ali plays Duncan, the mission’s right-hand guy, and he brings real weight to the role. His dynamic with Scarlett Johansson’s character, Zora, is solid, though one dialogue-heavy scene between them is… rough. Even two incredible actors couldn’t salvage that clunky exchange. Still, most of the characters feel grounded. Real people, not walking tropes.

Jonathan Bailey Steals the Show

The real surprise here is Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis, a wide-eyed paleontologist who basically lives out every dino nerd’s dream. His joy is infectious. He’s enthusiastic without being annoying, and you can tell he respects the legacy of the original films. He’s probably the closest thing this movie has to a spiritual link to Jurassic Park.

Dinosaurs Done Right

This is the reason a lot of us show up. The dinosaurs look great most of the time. They’re majestic, terrifying, and used well. Director Gareth Edwards knows how to frame massive, dangerous creatures. He’s got Godzilla experience, after all.

Two standout sequences make the most of that scale and suspense. One involves a boat and an ocean-dwelling dino, and the other features a tense river raft scene with a T-Rex. Both have been teased in trailers, but the full versions are edge-of-your-seat material. Also, the mutant dinosaur designs are pretty awesome. Some fans might argue otherwise, but I dug them.

Action, Music, and Visuals

The action is intense and well-paced. You actually feel the danger, which hasn’t always been the case in the World trilogy. Alexandre Desplat’s score also deserves credit. He blends his own themes with callbacks to John Williams’ original compositions, and it works beautifully.

Cinematography is another win. Some of this was shot on location, and you can tell. The jungle scenes pop. Unfortunately, the CGI doesn’t always keep up dinosaur-wise. It’s not terrible, but it’s noticeably digital in places. It makes you wish they had used more animatronics and practical effects for the close-up shots. It’s something the first Jurassic Park got so right.

A Bit Too Long, A Bit Too Safe

The movie runs a little long. Not egregiously, but you feel it during the slower stretches. There are scenes that could’ve been trimmed without hurting the flow. And while the action ramps up nicely, the ending feels slightly underwhelming. A key decision in the final act plays it safe when it could’ve gone bold. That choice blunts the emotional payoff.

Jurassic World: Rebirth isn’t the best entry in the franchise. It might not even crack your top three. But it’s a clear improvement over its immediate predecessors. It feels like a course correction, like someone behind the scenes remembered what made this franchise special in the first place. It has tension. It has heart. And yes, it has dinosaurs trying to eat people. If you’re a long-time fan hoping the series still has some bite left, this one’s worth a watch.