If you’ve ever wondered how editing changes the viewing experience of a film, the extended version of Jurassic World Dominion serves as a compelling example. With an additional 14 minutes of footage compared to the original, this version streaming on Peacock provides both enhancements and drawbacks. While the new scenes add necessary depth and emotional weight, they also disrupt the film’s pacing, making it feel significantly longer. It raises a thought-provoking question: would you prefer a film that’s a bit slower but richer in storytelling, or one that’s faster but lacks substance?
Director Colin Trevorrow opted for the shorter theatrical cut, which comes in at two hours and 26 minutes. This decision, despite the film’s mixed reviews, proved to be wise—Dominion grossed more than $1 billion globally, ensuring that Universal Pictures is far from finished with this franchise. Hence, revisiting Dominion seemed fitting, especially with the release of its extended version for home audiences.
The upcoming release of Jurassic World Rebirth, set for next week, takes the franchise in an exciting new direction. This new story unfolds after the events of Dominion, making it beneficial for fans to revisit the original to understand the context. For instance, dinosaurs now inhabit the Earth freely but are contained in specific locations. One of these is Italy, where the nefarious company BioSyn almost caused a global disaster with its genetically altered locusts. Luckily, the intervention of Maisie Lockwood, the clone of one of Jurassic Park’s original scientists, mitigated the potential crisis.
As someone who experienced the opening night of Jurassic Park in 1993, I have to admit that Jurassic World Dominion left me frustrated in 2022. Marketed as the grand finale to two trilogies, the film disappointingly neglects its dinosaur roots in favor of a less engaging story. However, upon rewatching the extended version, it becomes evident that a more coherent narrative could have emerged, had more scenes been retained. For example, an opening reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey, devoid of music and centered on the mosquitoes that initially unleashed Jurassic Park’s DNA, beautifully ties the franchise together.
Further valuable additions are peppered throughout the film. A scene depicting Maisie’s rebellious spirit during a store visit adds layers to her character. Another illustrates the poachers preparing to kidnap her, while Blue and Beta’s brutal actions amplify their fierce image. Perhaps most intriguing is the return of Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill. While the original cut shows him lecturing students uninterested in dinosaurs, the extended cut includes a moment where he challenges their apathy, remarking that dinosaurs have been around since the ’90s. This notion that young people are indifferent to these ancient creatures deserves deeper exploration.
These added moments enrich the film’s exploration of current themes, prompting an important question: At what cost do these enhancements come? The extended version delays the main story by almost 30 minutes. Each new scene that improves the film also slows it down, often leaving you feeling as if it drags on. By the time all characters converge at BioSyn for the climactic finale, it’s easy to forget that five previous films laid the groundwork for this moment.
Ultimately, Jurassic World Dominion: Extended Edition emerges as a more substantial version, though its predecessor was widely deemed lackluster. This edition showcases more of the intriguing concepts and intentions that struggled to surface in the original cut. Let’s hope the next release brings a stronger balance and revitalizes the Jurassic saga.
The first six films in the Jurassic series are currently streaming on Peacock. Jurassic World Rebirth premieres on July 2.
What makes the extended version of Jurassic World Dominion different from the theatrical release? The additional scenes enhance character development and explore more themes, albeit at the cost of pacing.
Will fans appreciate the additional scenes in the extended version? While they do offer depth, many may find the slower pacing detracts from the overall experience.
How does Jurassic World Dominion fit into the larger franchise? It serves as a pivotal point connecting the previous six films and setting up the future narrative in Jurassic World Rebirth.
Are there significant character developments in the extended version? Yes, there are expanded character arcs that add to the film’s emotional weight.
What should viewers expect from Jurassic World Rebirth? The new installment will continue to evolve the franchise, introducing fresh themes while maintaining connections to past films.
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