Jurassic World Dominion (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3.25/5
 
Plot
Two worlds collide as the epic saga that began with Jurassic Park comes to a grand conclusion in JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION. Directed by Colin Trevorrow and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, the director of the first two Jurassic Park films, JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION takes place four years after Isla Nublar’s destruction when dinosaurs roam the Earth again. Facing the cataclysmic consequences of a planet once again dominated by prehistoric predators, two generations of Jurassic heroes unite as doctors Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) and Alan Grant (Sam Neill) return to join Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) for an incredible adventure that will determine the destiny of humans and dinosaurs once and for all.
 
My Thoughts
Low expectations can sometime be a good thing and that’s the case here. I went into this film expecting to be filled with roll-your-eyes moments and senseless action with very little story. Surprisingly, it ended up that there was too much story, which turned out to be a bad thing. Way too many plot lines that mostly converged at the end, but there were a couple of threads that never should have been included in the first place and they were completely unnecessary.
 
Overall, my wife and I had a hell of a time watching the film once we got through the laborious—and overly long—first act. I do give it credit for re-introducing many of the main characters and sets up the overly complicated plot. By the third act, we were all-in and enjoyed the ride along the way. The special effects are the highlight of the show though—while the original Jurassic Park did a good job in this department and were cutting-edge in 1993, these modern-day dinosaurs look like they are completely real and blend into their surrounding environments seamlessly.
 
Unfortunately, Universal only sent me the Blu-ray for review and although I would have loved to see the higher resolution and HDR that 4K brings to the table, I really don’t have any major complaints with the 1080p presentation. I did notice a couple instanced of some minor compression and banding, but these were rare and hard to spot. My only real gripe is the 2.0:1 aspect ratio—seriously? This is a film that begs for a scope presentation and not a made-for-Netflix production.
 
Keeping with tradition, the film boasts a DTS:X audio track that’s perfect in every way. Dialog is always intelligible, imaging is precise and enveloping, and the LFE track allows you to feel every step and guttural roar of the giant beasts.
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 10/10 (DTS:X)
 
Special Features:

• Battle at Big Rock
• A New Breed of VFX
• Dinosaurs Among Us: Inside Jurassic World Dominion
• Movies Anywhere Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
While this isn’t the best film the franchise has to offer, it also isn’t the worst either (Jurassic Park III holds that award in my rankings). This was an ambitious project from a story standpoint, and they were almost able to pull it off. I would have loved to have removed a couple of the subplots, such as the entire Malta sequence, and I’m sure the pacing and actual end result would have been improved. Regardless, this film roared past $900 million worldwide, so it turned a tidy profit for the studio and for everyone else involved, which means we’ll probably end up seeing a third trilogy at some point in the future. Recommended for fans.
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Barry]

David, this was my review from June 15. You and I are on the same page.

On Tuesday I went to the Dolby theater to see Jurassic Park Domination. Like David had for the movie Morbius, I did go in with low expectations. I knew this was the going to be nothing more than a “B” movie so I was looking to have fun. I no longer leave my brains at the door because I saw the movies starring Venom, and he eats the brains that have been left over!!!!

The first thing that struck me was the great Dolby sound. Every time a dinosaur put down their foot the movie theater shook from the bass. The first Jurassic Park movie had a good plot, good actors and incredible special effects. Today I’m a bit used to the special effects so I wasn’t terribly impressed with them


But I did have a good time at the movies. While the plot was predictable, it was fun to watch chasing after chasing. And you actually knew who at the beginning was going to make it to the end and which bad guys would not live to see their names in the end credits. 

[David Vaughn]

David, this was my review from June 15. You and I are on the same page.

On Tuesday I went to the Dolby theater to see Jurassic Park Domination. Like David had for the movie Morbius, I did go in with low expectations. I knew this was the going to be nothing more than a “B” movie so I was looking to have fun. I no longer leave my brains at the door because I saw the movies starring Venom, and he eats the brains that have been left over!!!!

The first thing that struck me was the great Dolby sound. Every time a dinosaur put down their foot the movie theater shook from the bass. The first Jurassic Park movie had a good plot, good actors and incredible special effects. Today I’m a bit used to the special effects so I wasn’t terribly impressed with them


But I did have a good time at the movies. While the plot was predictable, it was fun to watch chasing after chasing. And you actually knew who at the beginning was going to make it to the end and which bad guys would not live to see their names in the end credits.

Barry,

Thanks for chiming in. I'm glad you didn't have your brains eaten

[bmoney]

I’m glad you liked it. Sometimes people expect way to much for a big budget action movie 

[SRW1000]

I’m glad you liked it. Sometimes people expect way to much for a big budget action movie

You can put me in that group.  The movie sounded fantastic, really wish we'd get more soundtracks like this.  And the BD visuals looked beautiful as well.

But the plot.  Ugh.  

Thrilling sights and sounds, but I had a hard time caring for any of the characters, and some of the actions/dialog of the "smart" characters was bewildering. And my wife and I went in with really low expectations.

Is it really asking too much for some time to be spent polishing the script before investing all that money into a film?  Why does it seem like there's an inverse relationship between budget and intelligent writing?  I understand aiming for the lowest common denominator to reach the broadest audience, but that doesn't mean you have to exclude basic storytelling and coherence.

Scott

[David Vaughn]

You can put me in that group.  The movie sounded fantastic, really wish we'd get more soundtracks like this.  And the BD visuals looked beautiful as well.

But the plot.  Ugh. 

Thrilling sights and sounds, but I had a hard time caring for any of the characters, and some of the actions/dialog of the "smart" characters was bewildering. And my wife and I went in with really low expectations.

Is it really asking too much for some time to be spent polishing the script before investing all that money into a film?  Why does it seem like there's an inverse relationship between budget and intelligent writing?  I understand aiming for the lowest common denominator to reach the broadest audience, but that doesn't mean you have to exclude basic storytelling and coherence.

Scott

Scott,

I don't disagree at all. The entire Malta sequence could have been cut out and improved the film immensely, but then you wouldn't have had a chase scene with the "trained" raptors.