'Jurassic World' review: Too many humans, too little raptors

Director: Colin Trevorrow
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, BD Wong, Omar Sy
Rating: ***

What it's about: Several years after Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar's wildlife has grown in leaps and bounds, thriving with new spliced specimens of the largely prehistoric kind. A burgeoning number of expectant visitors and investors has made the Jurassic World theme park try out stuff with "assets" they probably have little control over. Meanwhile, workaholic Operations Manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) tries to keep on top of things at the park while convincing her sister that her visiting nephews are safe with her. When an intelligent, genetically modified dinosaur escapes captivity and runs havoc, Claire along with owner Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan) and former flame and raptor trainer Owen (Chris Pratt) must band together to save the day and bring some order.

What's hot: Healthy doses of nostalgia work for fans of the franchise. Pratt is quickly becoming an actor we're growing to love. Irrfan is brilliant as Simon Masrani and his dry sense of humour raises the mood in otherwise drably written scenes. The effects in this film are, of course, are top-of-the-line.

What's not: The plot relies too much on the performances of the two kids, played by Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson. Entirely too self-obsessed with their own problems, they don't seem entirely petrified about the predicament they are in. Under-convincing even in their best moments they annoy more than they engage. We see far too little of the raptors as they come in far too late; and that holds true of the thrills and chills one has come to expect from films of the genre. This otherwise competent sequel sees characters making a number of bad decisions and you're never truly invested in their fates.

What to do: Of course, watch the film once at least. Don't miss the big screen experience. But spending on 3D or Imax? Don't really see the point of watching in those formats. Very little actually takes your breath away to merit viewing in those formats. A word of clichéd advice: A little less conversation, lot more action please!