Why So Blu?

Jurassic World Rebirth (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Those pesky humans are back at it again! Jurassic World Rebirth introduces a whole new set of characters out to disturb the peace and inadvertently become lunch. You’d think that after all these decades, they would learn their lesson. The pitch this time is that they need DNA samples from multiple creatures to help create a cure for heart disease. One from land (Mosasaurus), one from land (Titanosaurus), and one from the sky (Quetzalcoatlus). Once they get all three, they’ll unlock the Final Boss: the dreaded Distortus Rex, a grotesque hybrid reject that was apparently too hideous for public eyes. No helicopter is safe around this creature. All you need is a nice set of flares to distract this wobbly fool.

Film

There’s a sense of cinematic joy I get whenever I sit down for a new Jurassic Park film. Because the original is my favorite film of all time, the series gets a pass, even ones I recognize as terrible, I’ll still enjoy simply because I love the environment that’s been produced. Having said that, there’s no need to make excuses for Rebirth, as it’s the best since the original. Director Gareth Edwards has a confident hold on the set pieces, including a sense of choreography that places you directly in the action so you know where the humans and dinosaurs are at all times. It might get chaotic, but never visually confusing.

Joining the franchise this time around are the no-BS Zora (Scarlett Johansson), the Altoids-chomping Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), the sleazy corporate suit Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), the most badass character in the entire franchise. You may argue another character might be the most badass, but I’ll counter with this question: Did any other character save the day while laughing in the face of the D-Rex’s mutant balooga visage? I rest my case. No further questions.

As with most of these films, the characters are fairly one-note, although screenwriter David Koepp (returning to screenwriting duties since The Lost World: JP) attempts to inject some depth with a conversation about friends lost in battle and another character whose marriage deteriorated following a son’s death. It won’t win Oscars, but it’s at least better than the usual, “I like dinos. You too? We’re friends now.”

Also getting involved in the danger is the Delgado family, composed of father Ruben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda), and Teresa’s stoner boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono). Not to be forgotten is Dolores, a baby Aquilops Isabella rescues, whose only function is to sell toys.

Alexandre Desplat brings a sense of danger and awe to the score, using the original Williams theme, of course, but also injecting his talents and personality into the proceedings.

One major complaint is that this series introduces a narrative thread, first seen in 2015’s Jurassic World, which it is determined to continue here: the idea that people are growing tired of seeing dinosaurs. There is no way that the public would ever become weary of seeing these creatures. People will venture to the zoo over and over again to see penguins just sit around doing nothing, marinating in their own penguin depression. And Jurassic World Rebirth’s Dino-sized box office return proves that the public is still invested in these creatures.

We’ve been to the island for multiple films. We’ve been to the land. My pitch is that the next film should be a Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar-inspired comedy starring the T-Rex and the D-Rex. I think the audience is ready.

Video

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Clarity/Detail: Jurassic Park Rebirth was shot on 35mm and finished on a 4K intermediate. As a result, there is grain evident throughout the film. This isn’t a negative, as it adds to the monster movie vibe; it gives it a classic aesthetic that I found quite charming to watch on the 4K Blu-ray. The details are a spectacle to behold, a highlight being the T-Rex boat chase, which leads into the…

Depth: The depth of that boat chase is outstanding. The Dolby Vision really highlights details in the far background. Another example is the Titanosaurus moment. There’s a wide shot of all the creatures walking as a herd, and the depth is awe-inspiring. You understand why Loomis would be moved to tears.

Black Levels: A lot of the time, the black levels weren’t as deep as I would have liked, a possible consequence of being shot on film, maybe? They’re not so light tthat hey look grey, but I was surprised that they weren’t as dark as I had maybe hoped.

Color Reproduction: The lush landscape is always so vibrant; there were moments where I paused the 4K to look at all the colors and details.

Flesh Tones: Flesh tones are natural.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio

Audio Format(s): English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

Dynamics: This is a really great mix, I’ll say that upfront. However. It’s not a disc that will be reference quality for the sound. I’ve been spoiled by the Jurassic Park films, so I was slightly disappointed that this didn’t live up to some of the previous entries. I went back and rewatched highlights from all six films, and for some reason, Jurassic World Rebirth simply isn’t as immersive as it could have been. Again, don’t take this as completely negative, as it rocks and rolls throughout all the set pieces (and oftentimes in the quieter moments). The mix chooses when to be truly magnificent. The T-Rex roar goes big, as does the final ten minutes with the D-Rex. Those moments will make your neighbors run for the door.

Height: The Atmos speakers really kick into gear with the Quetzalcoatlus, naturally. Although the helicopter at the end forces the speakers to do some impressive work.

Low Frequency Extension: Bass really shakes the room with the stomping of the D-Rex. Prior to that, it adds nice depth to the action. But when the D-Rex steps down for the first time, be ready, cause it shakes in a way the mix previously had not. There’s some bass for the T-Rex scene, especially the roar, but it’s taken up a notch for even the D-Rex’s roar. Truly saves the best for last.

Surround Sound Presentation: You’ll experience the surround sound from almost the beginning. The hustle and bustle of the cityscape dances throughout all the speakers. With each moment, from the ocean chase, and especially the Titanosaurus moment, you hear the dinosaurs all around you. Also impressive is the underwater sequence with the T-Rex. When the family is submerged underwater, you hear it across every speaker, adding to the claustrophobia of the set piece.

Dialogue Reproduction: Dialogue is always clear.

Extras

Universal went all out with these Jurassic World extras. This is a packed disc, including:

• ALTERNATE OPENING
• DELETED SCENES
  • RAPTORS – Featuring Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, David Iacono, Luna Blaise and Audrina Miranda
  • MUTADON ATTACK – Featuring Scarlett Johansson, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, David Iacono, Rupert Friend, Luna Blaise and Audrina Miranda
• JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: HATCHING A NEW ERA
  • THE WORLD EVOLVES – Journey into a reimagined Jurassic World with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali and the rest of the cast and filmmakers.
  • OFF THE DEEP END – Dive into the thrilling ocean sequence and learn about the challenges of shooting on open water, the one-of-a-kind gimbal used to toss around the Essex and Mariposa, and the VFX wizardry that brought the Mosasaurus and Spinosaurs to life.
  • TREKKING THROUGH THAILAND – Follow the cast and crew’s footsteps as they navigate the challenges of shooting in exotic jungles, beaches, and tall grass fields that become home to the Titanosaurs.
  • REX IN THE RAPIDS – Brace for a T. rex encounter that’s different than anything experienced before with a nail-biting river chase recreated from Michael Crichton’s original Jurassic Park novel.
  • DON’T LOOK DOWN – Soar into the Quetzalcoatlus sequence with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Bechir Sylvain as they train for and shoot their cliff rappelling scenes.
  • MINI-MART MAYHEM – Go inside the heart-stopping third act of Jurassic World Rebirth and witness the process of crafting sets that allow the movie’s mutant dinosaurs to step out of nightmare-inspired designs and stop on an exhilarating rampage.
• GAG REEL
• MEET DOLORES – Meet the animatronic Aquilops with an extraordinarily lifelike personality.
• MUNCHED: BECOMING DINO FOOD – Get a victim’s firsthand view inside the frightening jaws of deadly dinosaurs that munch, chomp, and chew their way into creating unforgettable death sequences.
• A DAY AT SKYWALKER SOUND – Actress Audrina Miranda guides a personal tour of Skywalker Sound in California to meet the audio editors, foley artists, and mixers who design the movie’s wide array of sounds.
• HUNTING FOR EASTER EGGS – Find out where to look for cleverly hidden Easter eggs that pay homage to everything from the first Jurassic Park film to other Steven Spielberg classics.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR GARETH EDWARDS, PRODUCTION DESIGNER JAMES CLYNE, AND FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JACK RAVENSCROFT
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR GARETH EDWARDS, EDITOR JABEZ OLSSEN, AND VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR DAVID VICKERY

 

Summary

Jurassic World Rebirth is my second favorite installment, far behind the original. This is a stacked disc for those who love special features, and the sound and audio won’t leave the viewer disappointed. For those interested, there is a steelbook variant.

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