“Jurassic World: Rebirth” Review Round-Up: Dinos Rule Again in Roaring Fun Addition to the Franchise

The dinosaurs are back — and this time, they brought heart. Jurassic World: Rebirth (in theaters now), the seventh entry in the iconic dino-saga, lands with a thunderous roar and a surprisingly soulful step. This film may be the shot of prehistoric adrenaline this 30+ year-old franchise needed. Directed by Rogue One and Godzilla helmer Gareth Edwards, and written by Jurassic Park OG David Koepp, the seventh installment has critics praising its balance of T-Rex-sized spectacle, emotional resonance, and a cast that delivers everything we needed. 

Stephanie Zacharek of TIME celebrates the fact that the film “finally makes dinosaurs the stars of the show” again. She praises Edwards and Koepp for understanding the ideal “ratio of human business to dinosaur antics,” leaning into the awe these creatures should command. From soaring Quetzalcoatlus to a hulking mutant D. Rex with a head like Barney on a bad day, the film’s creature design has brought back both the terror and tenderness missing from recent entries. 

Maureen Lee Lenker of Entertainment Weekly echoes the sentiment, noting that Rebirth eschews complicated lore and conspiracy in favor of old-school adventure and wonder. She applauds Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited entry into the Jurassic universe and hails Jonathan Bailey’s performance as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis as “pure, moving, and magnetic.” She also nods to Mahershala Ali’s grounded presence as Duncan and praises the chemistry among the trio. 

Bailey earns praise across the board. His portrayal of the bespectacled, dino-loving Henry Loomis is drawing comparisons to franchise legends. TIME calls him “adorable,” The Hollywood Reporter notes the “bantering flirtation” between him and Johansson, and EW refers to him as “tailor-made” for the role — channeling a blend of Alan Grant’s scientific reverence and Ian Malcolm’s charm.  

His tearful encounter with a grazing brontosaurus is quickly becoming one of the standout scenes in the series’ history, giving the franchise one of its most emotional beats since the original.  

“Bailey has the purest, most moving moment in the film,” writes Lenker. “His electric joy and overwhelming awe at getting to actually touch a dinosaur…have the power to make the entire audience feel like a child again.” The Bridgerton breakout brings both brains and biceps to the role, blending nerdy charm with a sincere reverence for prehistoric life. 

David Rooney at The Hollywood Reporter credits Rebirth with “propulsive narrative drive, big scares, and appealing new characters,” while highlighting Edwards’ choice to shoot on 35mm Panavision as a nod to Spielberg’s original. There’s also no shortage of spectacle: chase sequences on land, sea, and air deliver high-octane thrills, with nods to Jaws and the original Jurassic Park. Rooney celebrates the film’s ability to “deliver adrenalized action.” 

Even Vanity Fair acknowledges the film has “flair and wit,” engaging performances, and moments of spectacle that are hard to deny. Richard Lawson points out that the film seems to “be aware of its redundancy,” but that self-awareness doesn’t stop it from delivering on “likable performances” and “lush, primordial” visuals. He notes the structure’s simplicity — a clear three-part mission across land, sea, and air — helps keep the film grounded, even as new hybrid dinos and nostalgic musical cues swirl around. 

Alexandre Desplat’s sweeping score earns consistent acclaim — especially for his integration of John Williams’ iconic theme — and Edwards’ gift for visual composition gives Rebirth some of the most cinematic moments in recent franchise memory. The glowing orange T. rex raft chase, the velvety jungle vistas, and the climactic tunnel escape all prove that this world still has teeth. 

While some critics remain skeptical of its long-term impact, many agree that Jurassic World: Rebirth does exactly what its title promises. It breathes new life into a franchise many thought extinct — not by reinventing the wheel, but by remembering what made it turn in the first place: dinosaurs, spectacle, and a sense of awe. 

With Rebirth roaring into theaters just ahead of the July 4th weekend, one thing is clear: there’s still plenty of bite left in the franchise. Zacharek perhaps says it best: Rebirth offers “the fantasy of prehistoric creatures big and small, carnivore and veg, deadly and friendly, resurrected from the sleep of extinction.” 

Verdict: It roars again. 

Featured image: L to R: Luna Blaise and the T-Rex in JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH, directed by Gareth Edwards