Movie Review: Jurassic World Rebirth

I had high expectations for this one mainly because they said we were going back to the horror roots of the original Jurassic Park. But did they deliver? Barely. What we got instead was basically another Jurassic World entry with action and sci-fi dialed up, and horror barely scratching through.

Let’s talk about what did work. The final act with the Distortus Rex (D-Rex)? Yeah, that part gave me actual chills. That creature’s design clearly inspired by the likes of Xenomorph and Rancor was nightmare fuel, and the way it appeared at night added that eerie, creepy vibe I was promised. For that small section, I got what I came for.

But the rest of the movie? It’s more blockbuster spectacle than suspense. And that’s my biggest gripe: they told us horror was coming, but served up action and family drama instead. Even scenes that should have been terrifying felt dulled down. Take the Mosasaurus chase, a moment that could’ve had my heart in my throat. Zora dangling off the boat, a massive prehistoric eye peering from the clear water beneath her? Classic thalassophobia horror setup. But the music? Way too heroic and majestic. Give me Jaws soundtrack energy, and I might have fainted.

Another issue was lighting. Everything was just too bright. Horror thrives in shadows, mystery, and not being able to see what’s creeping behind you. But here, everything’s in clear view even the mutated dinosaurs that were supposed to be the stuff of nightmares. No surprise, no suspense, just pure visibility and chaos.

And don’t get me started on the human drama. Look, I get that we need characters to care about but when their emotional arcs start overtaking the horror or thrill, the tension dissolves. We spend so much time dealing with internal group drama that the dinosaurs become a backdrop rather than the stars of the show.

I will say though watching it in 4DX helped. The intense motion, air bursts, and water sprays actually added a layer of excitement that the movie’s storytelling didn’t quite deliver on. My body was sore by the end, but in a way that made the experience more immersive (and exhausting).

So final thoughts? Jurassic World: Rebirth is definitely better than Dominion, but it’s still not the horror return they hyped up. It’s entertaining for what it is, but don’t expect to leave the cinema shaking from fear unless it’s from the 4DX chair slamming you around.

I'm giving this movie a 6/10 because it doesn’t deliver what it promised, but still manages to be a fun ride, especially with the right cinematic setup.