‘Jurassic World Dominion’

Elements of the third film in the Jurassic World series are a significant improvement on its predecessors, other aspects lame and derivative.

Several years after the destruction of Isla Nubar and the dinosaur haven, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt – The Kid, The Tomorrow War) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard – The Help, Rocketman) are raising the genetically modified Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) off grid. But as a person of interest to the Biosyn multinational based in Switzerland, Maisie is kidnapped. The adults go in search, a move that coincides with a group of scientists led by paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern – Wild, Marriage Story) looking to expose Biosyn for their dodgy genetic practices.

It all degenerates into a somewhat tacky and cluttered yarn after an engaging opening thirty minutes or so with more than a nod to many, many other adventure features (director Colin Trevorrow – Jurassic World, Reality Show). Ultimately, it’s a disappointing end for the trilogy.

Rating: 37%

‘The Core’

Fabulously trashy disaster movie as the only way to save Earth from destruction is to drill to its core – and set it spinning again. As the surface is hit by mega electrical thunderstorms that destroy cities and animals (and people) start to behave strangely, so a team of scientists, headed by university professor Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Erin Brockovich), are requisitioned to undertake a last gasp mission.

Director Jon Amiel (Sommersby, Entrapment) presents exactly what is expected in a mindless, escapist disaster feature – the threat of the Earth’s destruction, personality clashes on the elite team (Eckhart with arrogant ‘go-to’ physicist Stanley Tucci – Supernova, The Devil Wears Prada), love interest (Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby, Amelia) and a ticking clock. All add up to a film so bad, it’s actually good! Still not sure why I like this film as much as I do!

Rating: 60%

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay II’

Thankfully, this tetralogy is now consigned to history.

A strong launch back in 2012 with Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen has gradually become a diluted confusion of adventure and thrills along with social and sexual political messages.

The decision to split the final book into two was controversial enough – especially when Part I was little more than a series of inner-city and underground battles, all seemingly filmed in monotone greys.

And whilst Part II is a little better,  that’s not saying a great deal. And just how many endings can a film have? There were a couple of obvious spots to end the saga – but the film (and I therefore assume the book) just kept going on and on and on and on….

Rating: 39%