Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.

Picking up after the previous Jurassic entries, Rebirth throws the Spielbergian playbook out the window and charges straight into the unknown with a tone that’s best described as Apocalypse Now meets Jurassic Park. It’s bold, brutal, and beautiful to look at, a neo-Jurassic odyssey where survival is earned minute by minute. Gareth Edwards is no stranger to spectacle, but here, he’s clearly living out a childhood fantasy with dino-sized gusto. There’s a boyish glee to the way he directs Jurassic World Rebirth, but also a commanding sense of tension. Think massive IMAX-scale set pieces, gritty character work, and some of the scariest dino encounters ever captured on film.

In many ways, Rebirth marks a return to form. Edwards channels Spielberg’s magic, blending awe, wonder, and fear, while also bringing a modern urgency to the proceedings. Climate collapse, corporate overreach, and dangerous genetic experiments all swirl in the background as a team is sent to the long-abandoned Ile Saint-Hubert; a no-go zone where InGen’s worst mistakes were buried…and where nature, as always, finds a way.

At the centre of the chaos is Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett, a covert ops specialist hired to retrieve… well, let’s just say something very expensive and very dangerous. Johansson is all grit and steel, channelling her Black Widow energy in equal measure. Zora is tough, calculated, and more than capable of going toe-to-toe with apex predators; both human and reptilian. Johansson clearly relishes the role, tearing through jungle terrain, rappelling into biohazard bunkers, and battling neo-Jurassic beasts with a pulsating energy. It’s action heroine cinema at its finest.

Every Jurassic film needs that one character to remind us of the wonder and terror of these creatures, and Bridgerton breakout Jonathan Bailey steps up to the plate as Dr. Henry Loomis, a brilliant palaeontologist and former student of Dr. Alan Grant. Bailey is a revelation here, channelling wide-eyed awe, ethical conviction, and quiet heroism. His connection to the dinosaurs, especially a heart-wrenchingly touching moment with a pair of Titanosaurus, brings a layered emotional depth to the picture. Loomis is the soul of the film, and Bailey plays him with just the right mix of Spielbergian wonder and battlefield panic.

But make no mistake — this movie belongs to Mahershala Ali. As Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s grizzled team leader, Ali is all stone-faced cool and relentless intensity. He’s the guy you want by your side when everything goes to hell, and when the third act explodes into full-on survival horror, Ali’s performance becomes the pulse of the movie. Stoic, deadly, and fiercely protective, Kincaid is a straight-up action god, and Ali plays him like he was born in a Michael Mann film. Whether it’s going head-first against raptor hybrids with nothing more than a flare gun, or pulling off a one-man last stand against the film’s final boss monster, Ali owns this movie.

While the elite mission team provides the heavy lifting, Edwards throws a narrative curveball with the introduction of the Delgado family: a civilian clan who crash-land into the nightmare. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s Reuben is the no-nonsense father, Luna Blaise shines as the feisty older daughter, Teresa, and Audrina Miranda melts hearts as the youngest, Isabella.

But the real star here? Dolores, a baby Aquilops, who imprints on Isabella and follows the family around like a prehistoric puppy. She’s the Baby Yoda of the Jurassic universe, and yes, you’re going to want a plush version immediately. Edwards knows just when to drop the tension and deliver a moment of emotional levity, and Dolores is proof of that.

And now we come to the nightmare fuel. This isn’t your granddad’s Jurassic Park. Edwards dives deep into the darker side of genetic tampering with the introduction of the ‘Mutadons’ – freakish chimeras born from failed InGen experiments. These things are horrifying: think raptor-pterosaur hybrids with dislocated jaws, distorted limbs, and murderous instincts. They hunt in packs, screech like banshees, and they do not miss.

But nothing, and we mean nothing, prepares you for the Distortus rex, or D-Rex for short. A six-limbed tyrannosaur mutant that looks like it crawled out of Dante’s Inferno, the D-Rex is nightmare incarnate. Its screentime is limited, but when it hits, it HITS ; especially in a brutal third-act sequence that feels like Aliens meets The Descent. Trust us, the final 20 minutes of this film will wreck you.

Beyond the explosions and scream-worthy scares, Jurassic World Rebirth offers some real thematic meat. Edwards explores the ethical decay of science-for-profit, the ecological implications of neo-Jurassic ecosystems, and the fallout from humanity’s reckless pursuit of dominion over nature. It’s heavy stuff, and while the film never loses its popcorn pacing, it still delivers food for thought between the carnage.

Visually, this is some of Edwards’ best work to date. The overgrown ruins of Ile Saint-Hubert are haunting, the creature design is next-level, and the use of scale, both human and prehistoric, is genuinely awe-inspiring. Pair that with a thunderous score, slick editing, and killer stunt work, and you’ve got a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

Jurassic World Rebirth is an all-out, pedal-to-the-metal thrill ride that reclaims the glory of the franchise while boldly pushing it forward. It’s packed with monster mayhem, nail-biting suspense, dazzling visuals, and a surprising amount of heart. From Scarlett Johansson’s badass heroine, to Mahershala Ali’s warrior poet, to a tiny dinosaur named Dolores, there’s something here for everyone. This is blockbuster filmmaking done right:  loud, smart, scary, and a hell of a lot of fun.

Image: Universal Pictures

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Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Sgt. Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child.

The science fiction genre consistently garners the attention of the world’s most ambitious filmmakers, and rapidly becoming cinema’s next powerhouse director is Gareth Edwards. Since his debut with 2010’s Monsters to resurrecting the Godzilla franchise and establishing the Monster Universe to bringing a new edge to a galaxy far, far away in Rogue One, Edwards has continually pushed the boundaries of what science fiction can offer audiences. The Creator is his most groundbreaking picture yet. Edwards takes on the hot-button topic of artificial intelligence, a concept and reality that is already beginning to trend worldwide, and rapidly expands it in a faraway future for a total rush of cinematic experience. A powerfully human narrative of connection and love is balanced with a thrilling action story, and audiences will be mesmerised by the visuals that leap onto the screen in The Creator.

Edwards brings a comprehensive and original vision to the big screen in The Creator and gives this film an anime-style edge that most Western audiences have never before seen utilised in a big-budget studio picture. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of films such as Akira, Blade Runner, and Apocalypse Now, Edwards has crafted a cinematic experience that is both beautiful and thrilling all at the same time. He offers audiences a different look at a seamless AI future. The Creator’s rough and ready action scenes have both the thundering bullet-speed pace of classic Vietnam jungle warfare vibes and a bustling AI population full of colour and light in the vast Asian rainforests that leads to one of the most original worlds ever committed to the big screen. Every department brings its A-game to this picture, and it’s a visual wonder to behold.

When it comes to movie stars, one of the hottest young talents to watch is John David Washington. The son of the legendary Denzel has quickly proven that he’s a talent who can take things to the next level, and he’s a perfectly cast as burnt-out Spec Ops soldier Joshua Taylor. Washington uses a noir-laced style and tone in his portrayal of Joshua, and The Creator’s narrative is a redemption story for the character. As a former professional football player, Washington has the physicality needed for such a vigorous role, and he’s put through his paces in this full-on future war picture. But the film’s focus on character makes this so intriguing, and Washington’s handle of pure drama will leave you on the verge of tears by the end of the picture. He really is that good, and The Creator is a perfect vehicle for his talents.

Action abounds in this picture, and Edwards packs it with explosive set pieces. The film’s Asian setting and style, inspired by the bustling and challenging cinema of Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, make it a wholly original experience, and the tech war fights will have you wide-eyed with energy. The Creator is a picture that is wildly original in its construction, and the action moves at a quick pace. Washington is right in the middle of all of it, and he shows his stuff as Joshua, and damn, does he make for a hell of a hero. The Creator is a picture that will get your heart racing with its combination of all-out laser gun battles and gigantic explosions.

But while the film’s action set pieces will get your adrenaline flowing, the film’s more significant themes of love, compassion, connection, religion and the exploration of existence itself sit with audiences. Edwards’ The Creator is a profound and layered cinematic experience. Its exploration of Eastern religious practices and contemplation of what kind of relationship could exist between humans and AI leads to plenty of reflection on behalf of audiences. In a genuine connection to the genre’s roots, this is a piece of science fiction that genuinely asks audiences to think about its subject matter, and it is an incredibly reflective piece of work.

The Creator marks an incredible new chapter in the science fiction genre and pushes the genre forward in bold new ways. And with a director and lead star causing waves in Hollywood due to their creative vision and skills, it marks itself out as a must-watch cinematic event.

Image: 20th Century Studios

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This standalone chapter of the Star Wars saga exists outside of the regular continuity, and chronicles the dangerous and desperate mission of a few brave members of the Rebel Alliance to steal the plans to the Empire’s world ending superweapon, The Death Star, and provide the strategic advantage they need to defeat the Empire once and for all.

Edwards throws his audience head first into his film, which utilises an eclectic ensemble cast to tell this very expansive story. Rogue One is lead by Felicity Jones as Jyn Eyrso, a ragtag orphan turned thief and criminal who is brought into the Rebel Alliance to help steal the Death Star plans. As Jyn, Jones exerts a sense of unwavering confidence, and a necessity to think about more than just the rebellion, such as the bigger consequences of what this weapon will do. Jyn is also the film’s most empathetic character, and her heroism shines through in several key moments where the greater good for all of the galaxy must be protected ahead of just the Alliance’s own plans for victory.

Matching Jones’ brilliant on screen presence is Diego Luna as Captain Cassian Andor, a Rebel Intelligence officer who is best described as a war horse, and one of the Rebel Alliance’s best and brightest. Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen bring camaraderie, comedy and some breathtaking martial arts prowess as spiritual guardian Chirrut Îmwe, and his freelance assassin comrade Baze Malbus respectively. While the concept of the force has been explored in previous Star Wars adaptations, Yen addresses it in a new light as Îmwe, highlighting its religious and spiritual qualities, which delve into Rogue One’s deeper themes of faith and hope. Riz Ahmed is a fish out of water as Bodhi Rook, a deserter from the Empire and one hell of a pilot, who jumps at the chance to do the right thing. And finally, Alan Tudyk steals the movie as Cassaian’s droid K-2SO, a re-programmed Imperial droid who is all too literal and brings plenty of hilarity and light-hearted moments to the screen.

Longtime fans of Lucas’ original Star Wars films will fall in love with Edwards’ work on Rogue One, as he has based his film within the same look and environment that Lucas used on A New Hope. The director draws upon the ‘used-future’ aesthetic with everything being grimy and gritty, and he not only showcases a much broader, and shall I say divided and derisive, Rebel Alliance, but indeed a larger Star Wars canvas as well. The attention to detail in location, costuming, weaponry and vehicle design leads to a rich visual experience that fans will lap up. And although I can’t say much without revealing any spoilers, the CGI is incredible!

Edwards also takes on the tone of a full-on war film, and presents incredibly realised front line battle scenes as the Rebel Alliance storm the beaches to strike a decisive blow to the Empire. There are no Jedi here, just brave men and women who are ready to sacrifice everything for a cause far greater than themselves, and Edwards captures these tooth-and-nail moments wonderfully. We’ve never before seen this level of intensity of warfare in the Star Wars universe, and as an audience member you simply can’t help but get caught up in it.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a monumental achievement for its director, cast and crew. Both longtime fans and new viewers will find themselves mesmerised by its incredible visuals and tightly packed narrative, as it chronicles one of the most important events of the Star Wars saga.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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