If you were hoping that the early reviews for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” would be a good barometer for the quality of the film, then you’re out of luck. The reviews that have been posted so far on Rotten Tomatoes range from solid to downright awful. As of this writing, the current Tomatometer score is at 67%, but that is changing by the second [editor’s update: it appears to be finalized at 70%].
Honestly, these reviews are equal parts hopeful and terrifying. You have The Hollywood Reporter giving ‘Fallen Kingdom’ a rave review. Then you have a writer for IndieWire saying that the sequel is “tedious” and “braindead,” making “‘Jurassic World’ look like ‘Jurassic Park.'” Ouch. For the most part, it seems as if the consensus (if there is one) says that the film is slightly better than “Jurassic World.” So take that for what it’s worth.
Here’s a selection of reviews:
THR: “A thrill ride that finally escapes the theme park.”
Variety: “The first “Jurassic World” was, quite simply, not a good ride. “Fallen Kingdom” is an improvement, but it’s the first “Jurassic” film to come close to pretending it isn’t a ride at all, and as a result it ends up being just a passable ride.”
Vanity Fair: “But at least Fallen Kingdom considers the idea of letting go, making it a more thoughtful and interesting film than its immediate predecessor.”
ScreenDaily: “This latest dutiful and earnest installment… like a roller coaster that you’ve ridden many times.”
EW: “The less you try to dissect it, the more you’ll enjoy it.”
Village Voice: “…but it all just hangs there like so much else in this movie, undeveloped concepts that could one day be turned into a genuinely exciting, surprising film. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is, sadly, not it.”
The Wrap: “How hard is it to make running away from a rampaging dinosaur look at least a little exciting?”
IGN: “It’s a brave choice to literally blow up everything that’s come before but one that definitely pays off in Fallen Kingdom.”
FALLEN KINGDOM makes Jurassic World look like Jurassic Park.
a tedious, infuriating, and braindead ordeal that knowingly epitomizes so much of what’s wrong with modern blockbusters. please for the love of god put this franchise out of my misery and kill the dinosaurs already.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) June 5, 2018
#JurassicWorldFallenKingdom has more action & dinos than its predecessor, beginning w/ an absolutely exhilarating first half that’s better than the entirety of JURASSIC WORLD. The second half is more intense and ambitious and sets up a massive stage for part three pic.twitter.com/QnsdZvldMC
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) June 5, 2018
Didn’t love Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. There are some good ideas early on but they never grow into anything, and it’s missing the majesty of the franchise. I liked the first one more.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 5, 2018