The Essence of the “Jurassic” Series: A Reflection on Humility and Nature

Can humanity truly conquer the laws of nature?

Is it within our power to reshape the natural world to our will?

Just when we, in our hubris, believe ourselves to be at the pinnacle of nature, arrogantly proclaiming “man can conquer nature,” nature often delivers a sharp rebuke, reminding us of our place.

The 1993 classic, Jurassic Park, masterfully explores this very theme.

A driven, perhaps mad, scientist extracts dinosaur DNA from ancient mosquitoes preserved in amber. He succeeds in breeding and raising dinosaurs, fulfilling his ambitious vision of a dinosaur park.

The Peril of Hubris

The scientist’s actions are undeniably reckless, demonstrating a profound lack of respect for the natural order. Inevitably, disaster strikes. A park employee’s error leads to the dinosaurs escaping, unleashing a prehistoric rampage.

The enduring appeal of the “Jurassic Park” series lies in its deeper contemplation of respect for nature. Director Steven Spielberg transcends the typical disaster movie, prompting reflection on genetic engineering, ecological balance, and the fundamental principles of natural selection. The series serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the folly of human arrogance in believing we can dominate everything. These ideas, presented in the 1990s, remain remarkably relevant today.

What Jurassic World: Dominion Lost

However, Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) seems to have sacrificed these profound themes for nostalgia and special effects. The director appears to simply go through the motions, resolving conflicts with simplistic notions of “love.”

Jurassic World: Dominion follows a predictable Hollywood formula, delivering a competent but ultimately uninspired conclusion, squandering the franchise’s emotional resonance. The “dinosaur” element feels almost superfluous; the story could easily be adapted with Ultraman or Doraemon in place of the dinosaurs. This uninspired continuation of the IP feels like a disservice to the original’s legacy.

Why Jurassic World: Dominion Feels Outdated

Of course, one reason why the “Jurassic” series, with its “big dinosaurs,” no longer excites us as much is the inevitable march of time.

In the original Jurassic Park (1993), Laura Dern’s iconic removal of her sunglasses, revealing her awe-struck expression, mirrored our own. The dinosaurs of the Jurassic period, reflected in her lenses, burst into our reality through the magic of cinema. We, the audience, shared in the characters’ astonishment, witnessing these colossal creatures from over 200 million years ago.

The Evolving Spectacle

But in 2022, the sight of a couple of dinosaurs simply isn’t that impressive.

As early as 2009, James Cameron’s Avatar had already created an entire alien world. In today’s cinematic landscape, the special effects, no matter how impressive, are no longer the main draw.

However, for dedicated fans of the Jurassic series and dinosaur enthusiasts, Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) still offers a worthwhile experience, with commendable special effects.