Jurassic World Rebirth – July 3

Jurassic World Rebirth has arrived in Australian cinemas, marking the seventh instalment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise and a fresh standalone sequel to 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion. Directed by Gareth Edwards and penned by David Koepp, the film brings together a stellar cast including Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Ed Skrein.

Set five years after the events of Dominion, Rebirth follows an ambitious expedition deep into remote equatorial regions, where scientists attempt to extract DNA from three colossal prehistoric species. Their goal is a revolutionary medical breakthrough, but as expected in the world of Jurassic Park, things quickly spiral into chaos.

Fans can expect the return of thrilling dinosaur action, including never-before-seen species and the terrifying emergence of the Distortus rex, a twisted genetic creation described by ILM’s visual effects team as a horrifying mix of a T-Rex and something far more alien. Designed to evoke both sympathy and fear, this creature stands as one of the most striking additions to the franchise.

Koepp, who famously wrote the original 1993 classic and its sequel The Lost World, returned to the source material with fresh eyes. He rewatched all six previous films and revisited Michael Crichton’s novels, drawing inspiration from scenes and lines that never made it into earlier adaptations. Notably, the film includes the raft escape from a Tyrannosaurus rex, a suspenseful sequence lifted directly from Crichton’s first book.

With no strict continuity restraints beyond staying true to scientific plausibility and franchise lore, Koepp focused on presenting dinosaurs as real animals rather than monsters. Their actions are grounded in hunger and territorial instincts, adding a naturalistic edge to the spectacle.

Filming took place across three continents, beginning in Thailand, then moving to Malta and the United Kingdom. Edwards opted to shoot on 35mm film using classic Panavision cameras, echoing Spielberg’s cinematic style from the original. Despite a limited pre-production window, ILM once again delivered cutting-edge CGI, compensating for a reduced reliance on animatronics.

With explosive action, thoughtful storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals, Jurassic World Rebirth promises a bold new chapter in the beloved saga. In cinemas now, distributed by Universal Pictures Australia.