Dino-Mania!
June 14, 2015
D: Colin Trevorrow. DP: John Schwartzman. W: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Colin Trevorrow & Derek Connolly. Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Ty Simpkins, Vincent D’Onofrio, Omar Sy, Nick Robinson, Jake Johnson, BD Wong, Lauren Lapkus, Judy Greer, Andy Buckley. (based on the characters created by Michael Crichton)
One of the most anticipated re-ignitions of a franchise is definitely that of Jurassic Park. Released in 1993 the original spawned two sequels and an inordinate amount of money at the box office and beyond. Over twenty years since the original, Jurassic World abandons original characters for the sake of the rebuilt park that is dealing with launching its newest attraction, the genetically created Indominus Rex.
Firstly, Jurassic World never skimps on spectacle. The film itself feels like one long amusement park ride, which I am sure has massive commercial appeal. The introduction of the park is even through two kids attending for the first time. Their discovery of the park while its inner workings are being hammered out by the adults is an easy enough structure that never gets interesting. Yet the spectacle is immense. The visual effects are the driving force of the film and for that it is enjoyable. Indominus Rex makes the originals look like play things. There are far too many nods to the original, you’ll get a bit fatigued by them all. But thankfully the kids played by Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson never get too schmaltzy, despite an “our parents are getting divorced” cry.
The ultimate, and most discussed about, drawback of Jurassic World is its old fashioned approach to gender dynamics between its two leads played by Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt. There was a clear opportunity here to do something different or even modern and unfortunately two writing teams still endorsed jokes about running in heels and man as action hero and woman as stiff who needs to let loose. Creatively next to Mad Max: Fury Road this is atrocious, but in the context of Hollywood corporate machine this is just shamefully boring. Trust me there is one epic shot of Howard running in heels from a dinosaur while holding a flare, in an all white ensemble. Could we be more retrograde?
Yet somehow Pratt’s Owen is able to stay likable, even despite some silly lines and lots of panic staring. His character is no where near as developed in Guardians of the Galaxy yet his raptor scenes, including a big chase, are excellent. But frankly no one is really developed, all the money is in the spectacle not the script. I am glad Jake Johnson was there to gives us much needed lift and genre commentary through his nerdlicious tech dude Lowery. Himself a cliche at least he was aware of it. The money is already raking in and the Terminator trailers have begun. We shall see if that one shapes up to be better.
A Little Sense of Wonder
July 6, 2012
D: Colin Trevorrow. DP: Benjamin Kasulke. W: Derek Connolly. Starring: Aubrey Plaza/Jake Johnson/Mark Duplass/Karan Soni/Kristen Bell/Mary Lynn Rajscub/Jenica Bergere.
Every so often it is important for main stream movie goers to expose themselves to something other than a big budget studio movie. And not because it can be assumed that the story will be better or more original. But rather, to be reminded of the origin of cinematic story telling. Story telling that comes in all shapes, sizes, and costs.
Safety Not Guaranteed comes to its party with a bag full of charm and a cooler full of freshness. Bored intern Darius (Aubrey Plaza) embarks on a work trip/vacation with her internship boss, Jess (Jake Johnson) and fellow intern Arnau (Karan Soni). The misfit trio head down from the offices of Seattle Magazine to track down a beach town crazy who has posted a classified ad for a fellow time traveler. So what begins as journalistic curiosity ends up being Plaza’s own journey into trust, life, and that line we all draw between sanity land and crazy town.
Plaza is immediately likable in that indie real girl sort of way. She’s present and subtle, allowing the story to slow gear up. Her partner in crime for most of the film is Kenneth (Mark Duplass), the classified ad poster who ends up approving her participation in his time traveler venture. Mark and his brother, Jay, both executive produced the movie and are responsible for 2010’s Cyrus. Mark is playful and lovable here as cooky and endearing Kenneth. A standout at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, it’s easy to see how alive a story can feel if acted with the same tone.
Joining Plaza on her adventure is Jake Johnson. Now recognizable as one of the three male roommates on Fox’s new hit show, New Girl, Johnson grounds the story in some realm of reality and older guy wisdom. His character’s own grappling with his age and misguided life help to balance the quirky bizarreness of Duplass’ search to go back in time. Johnson also manages to steal some scenes with Soni’s Arnau, who must learn to embrace is youth and opportunities.
Ultimately, the film is uplifting, tender and fun. Although it could have not revealed so much in its conclusion, Safety Not Guaranteed embraces its anthem and gives an over-saturated movie market, something fresh to fawn over. Let’s just hope enough people go to see it and break their own cycles of monotony.