Category: Movies

Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” U.K. Premiere Event

London’s Cineworld Leicester Square welcomed stars, filmmakers and special guests to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios’ 26th feature film, “Lightyear.” Chris Evans (voice of Buzz Lightyear), Keke Palmer (voice of Izzy Hawthorne), Taika Waititi (voice of Mo) and British astronaut Tim Peake, who lends his voice to Tim/Mission Control in the UK version of the film, greeted fans alongside filmmakers Angus MacLane (directed by/story by/screenplay by) and Galyn Susman, p.g.a. (produced by), as well as U.K. celebrities and presenters.

“Lightyear” opens in Philippine cinemas tomorrow, June 15.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Díaz, Keira Hairston as Young Izzy and Tim Peake as Tim/Mission Control (in U.K. release). Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” opens in Philippine cinemas tomorrow, June 15.

June 14, 2022
‘Lightyear’ is a solid, fun adventure movie but falls short of Pixar’s standard of great filmmaking

‘Lightyear’ is an animated science fiction adventure film from Pixar, which expands the world of the ‘Toy Story’ franchise by being a sort of origin story for the character Buzz Lightyear. The fictional astronaut Buzz Lightyear, whose toy became a prominent character in the ‘Toy Story’ series of films was based on a movie, which was Andy’s favourite film. So ‘Lightyear’ is the movie, released in 1995, that the Buzz Lightyear toy was based on.

Director and co-writer Angus McLane wanted to use this film as a “tribute” to the science fiction films he grew up with like ‘Star Wars.’ There is a push-and-pull between early 90s sensibilities alongside contemporary values and mores. What is created is a rich world and enjoyable characters that would have been revolutionary and exciting if the film really was released in the 90s.

‘Lightyear’ portrays Buzz Lightyear as a fearless captain, highly competent, and very arrogant in a humoristic way. It helps that Chris Evans’ voice acting for Buzz is imbued with so much earnestness that it really helps cement the character down pat. We see a sort of a maverick figure, one who is unaccustomed to making mistakes, prefers to do things alone, but will always give respect to his commanding officer, Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba). The film begins with the ship of Space Rangers arriving at an uninhabited planet. On a quick reconnaissance mission, Buzz, Commander Hawthorne, and a rookie, whom Buzz does not want to tag along, discover the planet is a hostile one and end up marooned on the planet in the process.

The story manages to quickly establish Buzz’s guilt for his part in their being marooned on this planet, his friendship with Commander Hawthorne, and his obsessive drive to set things right. What unfolds is a rather complex story that involves time, Buzz’s need to open up and take the whole weight of the burden on himself, and the attack of the Zergs on the Space Rangers.

While ‘Lightyear’ has what we’ve come to expect from a Pixar animated film: great humor, thrilling setups, a tight and rather surprisingly complex story with a narrative flow that is quite unexpected, and some truly great humanistic moments that even got me teary-eyed at some point; there’s something in ‘Lightyear’ that feels missing.

All of Pixar’s filmography that I’ve seen has been absolutely terrific. From each film in the ‘Toy Story’ series to ‘Monsters Inc.’ to ‘The Incredibles,’ and even the more recent ones like ‘Turning Red’ or ‘Inside Out’ or ‘Soul,’ there’s just something so wonderfully endearing in each of these films that I would immediately consider them classics. And while Buzz Lightyear’s character growth and personal epiphanies are quite strong messages to impart to its audience – the value of camaraderie and the value in allowing our mistakes to help us grow – it doesn’t feel as universal a message as it should.

While genre films like science fiction or horror or fantasy are great narrative forms to take to form a metaphor to test the human condition, there seems to be a distance in ‘Lightyear’ and his learnings from our own, unlike, say, Woody and Buzz’s learnings in ‘Toy Story’ or that of Sully and Mike Wachowski in ‘Monsters Inc.’ There is an everyman quality to the characters of ‘Toy Story’ or ‘Inside Out’ or ‘Soul’ that we can easily relate to, while Buzz seems so extraordinary that it’s hard to take his growth as our own.

It’s all familiar and recognisable, but it’s just hard to ride on.

At the same time, there are flourishes in the story’s narrative that bring up images of colonization and imperialism that don’t sit well with me. Yes, the planet is uninhabited by intelligent lifeforms so the marooned Space Rangers set up a station and begin mining the planet’s resources. And while it all makes sense (especially for a film made in the 90s), it brings to light the human nature to take possession and use anything in the world for their own uses. While this is a science fiction film and maybe they are keeping the ecological and environmental stability of the world in check; in this day and age of global warming and dwindling resources, it just feels off to see it so blatantly in this film.

But it is still a fun movie. Sox, the robot cat that is given to Buzz, is just a wonderful character and is definitely going to be a fan favourite (and a treat for all cat lovers) and all the new characters are unique and recognizable that you are guaranteed to have a fun time.

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A post shared by Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear (@pixarslightyear)

And while ‘Lightyear’ is a good film, a solid one, it’s not a great film. And when Pixar has been churning out great films with each release, the film suffers only in comparison. And that’s not entirely fair.

My Rating:

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‘Lightyear‘ opens in Phillippine cinemas on Wednesday, June 15. Buy your tickets here.

ALSO READ:
WATCH: ‘Lightyear’ Trailer Teases an Action-Packed ‘Toy Story’ Spinoff
WATCH: Disney & Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Unveils Out-of-this-World Trailer
Chris Evans Lends His Voice to Buzz Lightyear in Disney and Pixar’s ‘LIGHTYEAR’

June 14, 2022
“Minions: The Rise of Gru” to Open in Local Cinemas on June 29

From the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Minions: The Rise of Gru traces pre-villain Gru long before he became the master of evil. We first see Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) as a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement which is not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.

At a young age, Gru has always wanted to join the supervillain supergroup called the Vicious 6. When its legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, finds a way to the interview to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humor, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him.

The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

From Illumination and Universal Pictures International, Minions: The Rise of Gru opens in local cinemas nationwide on June 29.

June 14, 2022
LOOK: Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” World Premiere Event

(L-R) Angus MacLane, Galyn Susman, Producer and Chris Evans

Stars, filmmakers and special guests came together tonight at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios’ 26th feature film, “Lightyear.” Members of the voice cast in attendance include Chris Evans (Buzz Lightyear), Keke Palmer (Izzy Hawthorne), Peter Sohn (Sox), Dale Soules (Darby Steel), James Brolin (Zurg), Uzo Aduba (Alisha Hawthorne), Mary McDonald-Lewis (I.V.A.N.), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Commander Burnside) and Efren Ramirez (Airman Díaz). Joining them were filmmakers Angus MacLane (directed by/story by/screenplay by), Galyn Susman, p.g.a. (produced by), Jason Headley (story by/screenplay by) and Michael Giacchino (music by). Special guests in attendance include Jabari Banks, Yvette Nicole Brown, Sherry Cola, Matt Cornett, Denise Crosby, Patrick Fabian, Xochitl Gomez, Jack Dylan Grazer, Tiffany Haddish, Skai Jackson, De Andre Jordan, Nathan Kress, Tom Marshburn, Griffin Matthews, Aaron Paul, Kristen Schaal, Iman Shumpert, Patrick Starr, Andre Swilley, Jon Voight, Ramona Young and Idara Victor.

“Lightyear” opens in Philippine cinemas this Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” opens Philippine in cinemas on June 15, 2022.

June 13, 2022
WATCH: New Trailer Up for Animated Adventure ‘Paws of Fury’

Hold onto your butts. You’ll be fighting like these cats and dog(s) to see Paramount Pictures’ new comedy adventure Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank. Check out the new trailer now and watch the film in Philippine cinemas August 10.

Trailer from Paramount Pictures International

A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank pounces into cinemas across the Philippines August 10.

Poster from Paramount Pictures International

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/paramountpicsph/; Instagram at www.instagram.com/paramountpicsph/ and YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsZ7igjHZB-5k8DDM7ilVJw. Connect with #PawsOfFury and tag paramountpicsph

June 13, 2022
Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’

“To infinity and beyond!”

For years we’ve seen Buzz Lightyear as half of Toy Story‘s leading duo, alongside the cowboy Woody. But Disney and Pixar are set to change our view of the iconic character in the upcoming Toy Story spinoff film, Lightyear.

The new film is set to explore the story that inspired the toy. It will follow the legendary Space Ranger, as he travels through space and time to find a way back home after getting stuck on a hostile planet. But it’s not that easy, especially with the evil emperor Zurg trying to thwart the mission.

Watch the trailer below:

Before you see this exciting spinoff film on the big screen, we’ve rounded up some fun facts about Lightyear that you might find interesting!

1. Chris Evans is the new voice of Buzz

In the Toy Story franchise, Buzz has been consistently voiced by Tim Allen, but for this film, Chris Evans is lending his voice to the character. In an interview with IGN, producer Galyn Susman answers why they decided to cast a different actor for the “meta” film: “There was so much initial confusion about our pitch, that it became really clear that we needed to have some clear delineators. We needed a different voice. And our Buzz had to have hair. We needed some things that made it clear that this is not the Toy Story Buzz.”

2. Zurg’s previous appearances

In case you forgot, Zurg has also been a recurring character in the Toy Story franchise, being Buzz’s archenemy even as a toy. In Toy Story 2, Zurg is also oblivious about himself being a toy and tries to stop Buzz in his mission to save Woody from the toy dealer Al McWhiggin. At the end of Toy Story 3, Zurg is also seen being added to the toys at Sunnyside Daycare. But in Lightyear, we can expect a more menacing Zurg as the trailer teased.

Another fun fact about this new Zurg: he will be voiced by James Brolin, the father of Josh Brolin. So in a way, we’ll see Captain America fight Thanos’ dad.

Photo: Lightyear trailer

3. A cute robot cat joins Buzz in his mission

Joining Buzz on his mission is a robot cat named SOX. The adorable character can talk and accompanies the Space Ranger throughout his journey across time and space. If the voice sounds familiar, he is voiced by Peter Sohn, a Korean-American animator and director who has voiced the likes of Emile in Ratatouille, Forrest Woodbush in The Good Dinosaur (which he also directed), and Ciccio in Luca. Sohn is also directing the upcoming Disney film Elemental.

4. The sets and ships took inspiration from NASA

In an interview with Variety, set art director Greg Peltz shared how NASA’s real ships and structures inspired the ships and sets in Lightyear. “We looked at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA, that huge structure where they build the giant space rockets,” Peltz says. “Take the car crawler, it’s a rail vehicle and it has these giant clamps that grasp it and lock it into place. When you’re ready to launch, the steam comes off it, and you see these moving parts.”

Photo: Lightyear trailer

5. NASA took Buzz Lightyear to space once

We know that Buzz Lightyear’s name was inspired by Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin. But did you know that Buzz the toy also had his time in space in real life? Back in 2008, a Buzz Lightyear toy was taken by NASA to the International Space Station with the crew of the STS-124 space shuttle mission. The toy returned to Earth 15 months later.

Lightyear opens in cinemas nationwide this Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Book your seats in advance and buy your tickets here.

June 13, 2022
Jurassic World Dominion Special Advance Screening in Ayala Malls Manila Bay A-Giant Screen Cinema

Ayala Malls welcomed film lovers to its impressive A-Giant Screen cinema in Ayala Malls Manila Bay at the special advance screening of Jurassic World Dominion, the last and final chapter of the epic saga. With wide viewing angles, high contrast, bright pictures, and excellent color temperature, audiences gasped at the A-Giant Screen’s lifelike projection of action-packed scenes. Viewers were found catching goose bumps at every cry of creature and man, thanks to the theater’s superior surround sound experience.

Lazaro and LA Revilla, as well as families of Feliz and Jay Jay Lucas, Joy and Gian Sotto, Derek Ramsey and Ellen Adarna, Marie Field-Faith, and Jun Sunga.

“So cool to see Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill and Laura Dern back in action as they conclude the action-packed franchise featuring never-before-seen dinosaurs and astonishing visual effects on the giant screen, which is four times bigger than those in regular cinemas!” mused Marie Field-Faith on social media.

“The experience was so overwhelming in a good way. A giant screen, a movie about giants and a giant movie franchise! Some things are just meant to be. I’m happy we opted to see Jurassic World in a giant screen, it couldn’t have been better. The experience was perfect!” shared Jun Sunga, who brought his two children and nephew along.

The film moved many viewers for its nostalgic value. Adding to their special experience was the premium screening on a bigger and better screen.

“Almost the same age as Ethan when the first Jurassic Park was on screen! Now after 28 years we get to watch the Epic ending of this franchise!! Best watched in the BIG screen!” shared Feliz Lucas.

The A-Giant Screen cinema has regular and private Skybox seating. The latter is equipped with luxurious reclining seats for a more cozy viewing. Available with popcorn and drinks for P450 (for regular seating) and P520 (for Skybox seating), everyone can savor a full cinematic experience.

“We are very excited to reintroduce the A-Giant Screen to movie lovers around the metro,” says Charmaine Bauzon, Head of Ayala Malls Cinemas. “After a long pause from movie theaters, there is no better way to bounce back than indulge in a full cinematic experience by going bigger and better. In fact, the A-Giant Screen lets audiences experience it best–it projects the most stunning and vibrant visuals, matched by enhanced audio definition, giving everyone greater immersive viewing bliss.”

Soon to come at Ayala Malls’ A-Giant Screen Cinemas
The premiere of Jurassic World Dominion will be followed by many more family blockbuster movies.

On June 15th, the beloved action figure, Buzz Lightyear, will grace the giant screen to tell the tale of his early beginnings and his adventures to infinity and beyond.

On June 29th, ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru,’ will unravel the story of a young Gru in the 70s, who discovers through a series of events that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. On July 6th, Marvel Studio’s ‘Thor Love and Thunder’ will rock superhero fans as they witness the God of Thunder battle against Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods.

With everything lined up plus the outstanding quality of Ayala Malls’ A-Giant Screen, film lovers can finally immerse in bigger adventures, greater action, and bolder cinematic experiences. Ayala Malls invites everyone to #ExperienceItBest at the A-Giant Screen cinema, currently available in Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Ayala Malls Vertis North. For more information on upcoming movies, visit Sureseats.com or follow @AyalaMallsCinemas on Facebook and Instagram.

For exclusive rental of the Skyboxes, please call (63 2) 7759-8000 loc. 5069-5082 for Ayala Malls Manila Bay and 0917-861-7061 for Ayala Malls Vertis North.

June 10, 2022
WATCH: Trailer for DC Super Hero Film “Black Adam” Arrives With a Bang

The world needed a hero, it got Black Adam. From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action adventure “Black Adam.” The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”).

Check out the film’s trailer below and watch “Black Adam” in cinemas and IMAX across the Philippines starting October 19.

Trailer from “Warner Bros. Pictures”

About “Black Adam”

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

Poster from “Warner Bros. Pictures”

Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.

Photo from “Warner Bros. Pictures”

Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, screen story by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC. Black Adam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. The film’s producers were Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns and Scott Sheldon

“Black Adam” smashes into theaters and IMAX in the Philippines beginning 19 October 2022. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #BlackAdam

June 9, 2022
WATCH: Assassins All-Aboard the New “Bullet Train” Trailer

The end of the line is just the beginning. Watch the new trailer for Columbia Pictures’ new action-thriller Bullet Train, starring Brad Pitt, exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines August 03, 2022.

About Bullet Train

In Bullet Train, Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe – all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives – on the world’s fastest train…and he’s got to figure out how to get off. From the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch, the end of the line is only the beginning in a wild, non-stop thrill ride through modern-day Japan.

Directed by David Leitch, screenplay by Zak Olkewicz based upon the book Maria Beetle by Kotaro Isaka.

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

The film is produced by Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Antoine Fuqua. The executive producers are Brent O’Connor, Ryosuke Saegusa, Yuma Terada, Kat Samick.

The cast is led by Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A Martínez Ocasio.

In Philippine cinemas August 03, 2022, Bullet Train is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #BulletTrainMovie

June 8, 2022
With nothing really new to say, ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ just feels like a theme park ride

The first three installments of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise took to the heart of the Michael Crichton book it was adapted from and really focused on two things: the majesty and wonder of dinosaurs and the hubris of man in using science to play god (and all the destructive consequences that followed).

It wasn’t until I saw ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ that I finally understood what I didn’t like about the last three installments. It takes the central premise predicated by the first three and turns it around. The dinosaurs were no longer these mysterious and majestic creatures. They can be trained and their presence in the films was more like monsters in a creature feature than the products of man’s arrogance.

Steven Spielberg and Joe Johnston (who directed the first two films and the third film, respectively) treated the dinosaurs with child-like wonder when covering them. They took the time to really marvel at the imagery of a dinosaur walking side-by-side with human beings. And when the predatory dinosaurs attacked, it was frightening because they were like animals in the wild, who were just doing things in their nature. When the T-Rex was brought to America in ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ Spielberg made sure that he was highlighting the mistake of man playing god and the destruction this causes.

But when ‘Jurassic World’ came out, and its succeeding films afterward, the majesty and grandeur of the dinosaurs were taken away when Chris Pratts’ Owen Grady began training the velociraptors and even gave one a name. The dinosaurs were valued more for their potential for action sequences and horror sequences. I suppose this is an evolution (pun intended) of where the series would go, but something gets lost in the process: the magic of it all.

Director Colin Trevorrow, who directed ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ is more inclined to create spectacles than to imbue grand imagery with profound meaning. At least J.A. Bayona, who directed ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ just mined the premise for all its horror possibilities but even that script couldn’t bring back the magic.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

The lesson was already learned in the first three. There’s nothing that feels new to the whole series to keep it exciting or relevant.

And all this culminates in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ which feels like an excuse to just bring back as many characters from the different installments as possible and mix the old and new in new sequences to show dinosaurs being frightening.

At first, the narrative is split into two – that of the old guard, Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Alan Grant (Sam Neill), and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), and the new characters like Owen, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), and Maisie (Isabella Sermon) – and while that of the older characters feel more familiar in tone and feel, the one of Owen and Claire feels a little disconnected and personal.

The personal tone of Owen and Claire’s story feels off, as there’s this attempt at envisioning a world now where dinosaurs have now encroached into human life. Pteranodons are now nesting on the rooftops of buildings and giant long-necked apatosauruses are getting in the way of industry work. It’s these moments, few as they are, where the film holds some magic. But these moments don’t last.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Instead, we are once again brought into a story about an evil corporation run by Dr. Lewis Dodgson (played wonderfully by Campbell Scott), who is using the genetic material now available to wreak new havoc on the world, albeit accidentally. And to make things worse, Maisie is instrumental in all of these machinations and she’s abducted.

In the 146-minute running time, there’s less about the ramifications of all this (it’s said a lot but it is never really felt) and more about complex high-octane chase sequences with trained killer velociraptors in the streets of Malta, a battle of three different giant predators in a valley in Italy, and several more attacks from various dinosaurs in different situations.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ barely stops to take a breath and keeps throwing us one action sequence after another (and often time, they aren’t covered properly: the scenes are too dark, editing is off that you don’t understand what’s going on) that it barely has time to breathe and when it does, it’s just so that the old and new characters can mix and trade platitudes and witty barbs.

I think I now know what Martin Scorsese meant when he called MCU films a “theme park ride.” At least Laura Dern was there. She’s great in everything.

My Rating:

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Jurassic World Dominion is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Buy your tickets here.

ALSO READ:
Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About ‘Jurassic World Dominion’
See it in Cinemas: ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ to Take You Into a Pulse-Racing Adventure as Jurassic Era Ends
‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Mounts Life-Size Dinos on Display at SM North EDSA

June 8, 2022