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Following its release, Jurassic World: Dominion has come to face some harsh critics, with some calling it "the worst movie of the series". In his review for the New York Post, Oleksinski draws a contrast between this particular movie and the original Jurassic Park franchise, as he states:
... in 1993, director Steven Spielberg began a special-effects revolution that left viewers in awe of the realistic fanged creatures that came to life before their eyes. “Dominion,” directed by talentless Colin Trevorrow, has no such innovation, wonderment, scale or magic.
The movie may not have been able to achieve great heights, but there are certain features that should be commendable. It can be argued that Jurassic World: Dominion, which is the last in the infamous franchise, steps away from the usual focus on dinosaurs chasing men, and attempts to shed light on modern-day problems, which are linked to the corruption of humankind. Trevorrow has included certain themes that make the audience rethink the modern-day world.
Jurassic Park: Has the Dino-Centric Franchise Ran Its Course?
The Barbaric Act of Breeding
The film begins with Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), along with her two partners Zia Rodriguez (Daniella Pineda) and Franklin Webb (Justice Smith), investigating illegal dinosaur breeding grounds. During this investigation, they come across a baby Nasutoceratops at a breeding site. What is heartbreaking about this scene is the way in which these babies were caged under conditions that no living creature could survive. They are tagged as mere properties and those who are too sick to survive are left to die. Claire ends up rescuing one of the babies, which of course warms the hearts of the viewers.
However, this scene seems to be a reflection on the real-world issue of breeding animals. Breeding animals in very harsh conditions is a global issue. There are multiple reasons for breeding, from consumption to selling and for experimenting. In fact, Jurassic World: Dominion seems to be subtlety hinting out on the latter reason as well. When Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) arrive at the Biosyn valley, their guide states how they "only breeds purebred dinosaurs". This might remind the viewers of the way in which purebred cats and dogs seem to have a huge demand in the real world. In fact, breeders go to the extent of attempting inbreeding, which is quite harmful as it "causes painful and life-threatening genetic defects".
Trafficking in the Black Market
Raj Tawney makes a striking statement as he points out:
The movie franchise's conclusion features black market dinosaur trading. Although it is fictional, this storyline rings alarmingly true for birds, the direct descendants of dinosaurs.
This analysis is made in relation to that one scene where the audience is taken to an underground black market in Malta. This scene is quite painful to watch, as it includes so many abusive acts carried out by humans. On one hand, we see trafficked dinosaurs being sold. On another, we see dinosaurs in a ring battling for their lives while humans bet on them. Unfortunately, this is a reflection of the real world's black market trades and brutal treatment of animals.
Additionally, this scene illustrates how wildlife is being tamed. The same applies to the Biosyn valley, as it is a man-made sanctuary that takes away these animals from their natural habitats and places them in these artificially manufactured places. This makes the audience question the global issues of how people try to tame wild animals and take away their freedom for absurd purposes like putting them on display in zoos. This can cause more harm than good, as these creatures find it difficult to cope with these artificial environments. One would not want many people to stare at them. The same can be applied to these creatures, who are the spectacle for many spectators. The film posits the question of the ethical side of these man-made sanctuaries and the taking away of the wildlife from their natural habitats.
The Corrupt Wealthy Companies
Unlike other movies in the franchise, Jurassic World: Dominion brings in a huge company as the villain. The CEO of Biosyn, Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) has introduced Biosyn to the world as this brilliant organization that is researching new innovations to develop man with the help of dinosaurs. However, what is sketchy about this company is its lack of transparency. This is yet another fact that can be applied to the real world. Similar to Biosyn, we come across many company owners who seem to be focusing on some brilliant innovations, while hiding many things from society. This lack of transparency hints at illegal or unethical activities.
As the story progresses, it is revealed that Biosyn has created genetically engineered locusts to profit from the harm caused to man. This might not be a shock to the viewers who are aware of the way in which certain problems are purposely created by some companies to profit from man. For example, some products are made to ensure that the consumer is left wanting more rather than solving the problem the consumer had. Thereby, the use of Biosyn as a villain allows the viewer to question the intentions of similar companies present in today's society.
In conclusion, Jurassic World: Dominion might not have reached the successful heights of its predecessors, but it definitely brings some real-world problems to this fictional world.