The Corner Penthouse

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is the fifth film in a franchise that has spanned 25 years. WOW! I can't believe it's been that long since I first saw Jurassic Park in the theater with my family. Although the original trilogy is the best, I thoroughly enjoyed Jurassic World, the first in a new trilogy. It was everything that Ghostbusters (2016) should have been. Paying respect to the past (not ignoring it), while moving the franchise forward. Fallen Kingdom is the second in this new trilogy, and is it as good as the first? Read on to find out...


Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom takes place three years after the Jurassic World theme park and luxury resort was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles. When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. Much discussion is made as to whether or not the dinosaurs should be saved, or if nature should be allowed to run its course again. Even Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) shows up before a committee to share his thoughts on that very matter. A crew is sent to the island, and they "rescue" the dinosaurs. Due to some bad guys with ulterior purposes, the dinosaurs are let loose inside the secluded mansion of Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) - this films John Hammond stand-in. It is here where the second half of the movie takes place as Owen, Claire, and Ben's granddaughter, Maisie (Isabella Sermon), play hide and seek - well, mostly hide - with the dangerous dinos.


Overall, I loved this film and it was a worthy sequel, though after it was over, I was left feeling that it was a little lacking. It set up a subplot about the granddaughter that it never bothered to see through its conclusion. I have a feeling it was just to plant the seeds for the sequel. Furthermore, the TV spots showed scenes with the dinosaurs encroaching upon human territory - the beach, the zoo - which did not play into the movie at all. It's not that those scenes weren't in the film, it's just that they were at the very end to set up for the third film. So, yeah, the marketing was highly misleading.


That's not to say that it was all bad. Although I expected a vastly different film thanks to the misleading marketing - it seems the third film will be what the TV spots made this one out to be - I did enjoy the movie overall. The mansion set-up was something "different", and gave the latter part of the movie a "gothic monster movie" feel. Almost like a 1980s slasher film, but with Michael Meyers (from Halloween) replaced with dinosaurs. Claire's team included two new characters of dino supporters: Zia Rodriguez (Daniella Pineda) and Franklin Webb (Justice Smith). I was absolutely smitten with Zia/Daniella throughout the entire film. She's that type of cute, nerdy, smart character that I like, and although she made a few stupid mistakes, hands down, she was my favorite part.


At a runtime of 2:08:17, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio with an 1080p transfer. Picture is crisp and clear with no issues that I noticed. On the audio side, there are two English tracks - DTS:X Master Audio and 2.0 Descriptive - which are loud and clear; along with French and Spanish DTS-HD High Resolution Audio 7.1 tracks. The film includes English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The first print run includes a beautiful embossed slipsleeve.


All of the bonus features that can be found on the disc are in HD. These first five items are exclusive to the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and digital releases. Everything after that is also on the DVD release (individual, and included in the Combo Pack).

• The Kingdom Evolves (4:33) - Filmmakers discuss how the second chapter in the Jurassic World trilogy pushes the franchise in a new direction.
• Return to Hawaii (2:41) - Cast and crew discuss shooting the film in Hawaii.
• Island Action (6:01) - A behind-the-scenes look at the bunker scene and runaway gyrosphere sequence.
• Aboard the Arcadia (5:53) - Cast and crew discuss working with the animatronic dinosaurs.
• Start the Bidding! (3:18) - A behind-the-scenes look at the auction scene.
• On Set with Chris & Bryce (3:05) - Go behind the scenes with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
• Birth of the Indoraptor (4:09) - An inside look at the genetically designed monstrosity known as the Indoraptor.
• Death by Dino (1:33) - Go behind the scenes as the Indoraptor faces off with a key character.
• Monster in a Mansion (3:06) - Director J.A. Bayona discusses how Jurassic Park and Dracula (1979) influenced his approach to directing the monster in a mansion scene.
• Rooftop Showdown (3:48) - A look at the terrifying showdown on the rooftop of the Lockwood Mansion.
• Malcolm's Return (3:07) - Behind the scenes with Jeff Goldblum.
• VFX Evolved (7:08) - The team at ILM discuss their cutting-edge approach to creating dinosaurs.
• Fallen Kingdom: The Conversation (10:16) - Filmmakers and cast sit down for a candid and casual conversation about the film.
• A Song for the Kingdom (1:26) - Justice Smith sings for the cast and crew.
• Chris Pratt's Jurassic Journals (12:09)
  • Vivian Baker, Makeup Artist (0:57)
  • Mary Mastro, Hair Stylist (0:48)
  • Chris Murphy, 1st Assistant Sound (1:05)
  • Dean Bailey, Stunt Edge Car Driver (1:05)
  • Peter Harcourt, Diver (1:01)
  • Daniella Pineda and Justice Smith, Actors (1:05)
  • Jody Wiltshire, Set PA (1:05)
  • Kelly Krieg, Assistant Script Supervisor (1:05)
  • J.A. Bayona, Director (1:05)
  • James Cox, Stunt Performer (1:02)
  • Rachelle Beinart, Stunt Double (0:59)
  • Bryce Dallas Howard interviews Chris Pratt, Actor (1:02)
• Jurassic Then and Now (3:06) - Key moments from the Jurassic saga that tie into Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Also included in the Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack is a second DVD disc, which contains all of the bonus features listed above, except for the first five items. The movie on the DVD is presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio with an anamorphic widescreen transfer. On the audio side, there are 5.1 Dolby Digital audio tracks for English, French, and Spanish, plus a Dolby Digital 2.0 English Descriptive track. The film includes English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles.


A Movies Anywhere (Ultraviolet) digital copy code voucher is also included in the standard two-disc Blu-ray case. In addition, there is an "Interactive Baby Blue" Augmented Reality card that works with your smartphone and the Facebook app. I did not test it out, so above is the promo video to demonstrate it.


Even though I feel that it is a bit of a step-down from the one that came before it, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie, which is available on Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack, 4K/Blu-Ray Combo Pack, 3D Blu-Ray Combo Pack, and individual DVD. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack provides a healthy amount of bonus materials, though I was disappointed to find no trailers, TV spots, or still galleries. It seems that the studios aren't including promotional materials anymore. FUN FACT: The film was directed by J.A. Bayona, who directed the Dr. Reanimator - "Move Your Dead Bones" music video back in 2003. You can also find a copy of it on the Beyond Re-Animator Blu-Ray.


Final Verdict: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is RECOMMENDED to diehard Jurassic Park fans.




All images were taken from the IMDB gallery of the film. The Blu-ray+DVD Combo Pack has been provided by Universal for review on this site.