Jurassic World Reviews: The Park Is Open, And The Magic Is Back

Until today, there had been an embargo placed over reviews for Jurassic World. With the restriction finally lifted, critics from almost every major entertainment-focused publication are now voicing their thoughts on the new sequel to the Jurassic Park franchise. The bottom line? It’s as close to the heart original film as we’ve probably ever gotten.

Typically, holds on a movie’s reviews until just a few days before its release are a call for panic — that is, they can potentially mean that the studio is trying to hide a disaster of a film. As Mad Max: Fury Road has shown us, however, an embargo doesn’t have to mean a bad film at all — and fans of Jurassic Park can take a collective sigh of relief now that word of mouth seems to be quite positive already.

News outlets are going to be giving their input on the film for the remainder of the week, with several notable critics already publishing their words. When it comes to the pros of the upcoming film, praise is heavily centered around Jurassic World‘s ability to bring back the fun of the first film.

“Jurassic World is pure, dumb, wall-to-wall fun. When they hand you your 3-D glasses, you can check your brain at the door and pick it up on your way out.”

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times said the above.

“It’s not the cynical, cash-in cheesefest you feared. OK, Jurassic World is a little of that. But this state-of-the-art dino epic is also a blast of rumbling, roaring, ‘did you effing see that!’ fun.”

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone had that glowing praise.

On the other hand, criticism of the film lands mainly on the overall screenplay and character dynamics, which many believed to be lost in the spectacle of the picture overall.

“Jurassic World, the latest incarnation of the franchise, is lacking the deft sense of wonderment, wit and suspense that guided the original.”

Jake Coyle of the Associated Press levied that criticism.

So far, as of Wednesday afternoon, at least, Jurassic World is keeping a steady pace above 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes — on Metacritic, it holds a respectable 64.

And though it may seem a bit early to make the call just yet, Jurassic World‘s reception is being received as a near-miracle by many online. Then again, when the sequels to one of the most acclaimed blockbusters of all time hold a 52 percent and a 49 percent on the Tomatometer, the call for celebration is pretty warranted right about now. If any certainty does come out of the response the film’s received today, however, it’s this: Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World is well worth the watch — even if it’s just to enjoy the ride.