“Jurassic World” Bigger, Louder and More Teeth
By Skip Sheffield
“Bigger, louder, more teeth.” Those are the bywords of
“Jurassic World.”
This is a re-boot of a franchise begun by Steven Spielberg
22 years ago in “Jurassic Park” as a revolutionary first-time blending of
computer-generated images with animatronics (life-size robots created by
special effects genius Stan Winston). The result was realistic-looking
prehistoric dinosaurs that blew away Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra to create a new
level of realism for monster movies.
“Jurassic Park” was a huge success, spawning a sequel 14
years ago and a re-release of the original in 3-D. It’s now 2015 and the
disaster that befell Isla Nublar, a fictional island off the Pacific coast of
Costa Rica, is but a distant memory. Jurassic World is a full-tilt theme park
not unlike Disney World or Universal Studios, with rides and attractions
designed to extract cash from visitors.
The story, written by Rick Jaffa (“Rise of the Planet of the
Apes” and its sequel) and director Colin Trevorrow (“Safety Not Guaranteed”) is
seen through the eyes of two children: girl-crazy Zach, 16 (Nick Robinson) and
brainy Gray, 11, (Ty Simpkins). The boys are bid a tearful airport farewell by
their mom Karen (Judy Greer), who is facing an imminent divorce.
The boys are supposed to be looked after by Karen’s sister
Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), operations director of the park. Claire is so
uptight and career-focused she hires a British nanny to look after the kids, because she's too busy. In
her rah-rah speeches to shareholders, Claire admits there have been a few
“speed bumps” for Jurassic World. Now there is a new CEO, Masani (Infan Khan),
who wants more, more. Research scientist Dr. Hendry Wu (BD Wong) is willing to
give him just that; a genetically-blended monster dinosaur dubbed Indominus
Rex.
Owen (Chris Pratt) is a fearless ex-Navy guy who has a way
with animals. He has such a rapport with the island’s Velocirprators, he is
able to communicate with them.
Add to this mix high-powered corporate honcho Hoskins (Vincent
D’Onofrio), who sees additional profit potential in the genetically-engineered
raptors. He thinks they would make a dandy substitute for human soldiers.
Jurassic Park harkens back to famous monster movies all the
way back to “King Kong” in 1933, with nods to “Godzilla,” “Rodan” and others. You
just know the antagonism between prim, proper Claire and rough-and-ready Owen
will melt away under duress, much the same as Claire’s business dress is
shredded away in crisis, like a modern-day Fay Wray menaced by King Kong.
As expected, the C-G effects are spectacular. The combat
between raptors of various sizes is gruesomely realistic. The film makes fun of
its corporate sponsorships with obvious product placement. Yes, “Jurassic
World” is bigger, louder and with more teeth, but in the end it is nothing new.
Still, it is a well-done thrill ride.
Sexy “Gemma Bovery”
If you want violence there is “Jurassic World.” If you want
sex, there is “Gemma Bovery,” director Anne Fontaine’s luscious nod to Flaubert’s
notorious 1856 novel, “Madame Bovary.”
British actress Gemma Arterton plays the title character; a
young woman married to Charles Bovery (Jason Flemying) a rather fussy and dull
furniture restorer who has decided to move to Normandy and an old farmhouse in
the very location Gustave Flaubert set “Madame Bovary.”
Gemma is admired from afar by Martin Joubert (Fabrice
Luchini), a well-off former Parisian who has taken over an old bakery. We see
Gemma through Martin’s eyes and feel his fantasies- inspired by Flaubert’s
novel. They remain just that, because Gemma’s eye catches Hervede (Niels
Schneider), a wealthy young student who lives with his mother on a nearby
estate. A romp ensues, uder the nose of poor Charles.
“Gemma Bovery” toes the line between comedy and drama. What
Gemma is doing is wrong and we know she will pay a price, but like Martin we
can’t help but stare at her adoringly. Gemma Arterton is that exquisitely
beautiful.
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