Jurassic World Rebirth, directed by Gareth Edwards, is a thrilling addition to the beloved franchise that began with Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park. Eyed as a significant continuation, it acknowledges its roots while trying to carve its own identity. With its release 32 years later, it aims to usher in a new era, although the reviews have been mixed. Audiences are entertained as they follow Scarlett Johansson’s character, Zora Bennett, and her team on a quest to collect DNA from the colossal dinosaurs that dominate land, sea, and air.
One of the standout moments occurs when Zora and her crew must retrieve DNA from a Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying dinosaur. This perilous venture takes them to a colossal cliff, reminiscent of an ancient civilization’s home. In an intriguing dialogue with Vanity Fair, Edwards mentioned his concerns that this scene echoed the legendary Raiders of the Lost Ark.
“I couldn’t figure out how to do a cool set piece on the edge of a cliff because I just felt like there’s not much real estate. If the [dinosaur] comes back, I don’t know what you could do to hide. I thought, well, maybe we could get away with a cave or carving in the edge of the wall, like there was an old civilization that used to live here. Once you are in Central America, that means it has to be an Inca civilization. Then once you start doing Inca iconography, you suddenly go, ‘Hang on a minute. This is Raiders of the Lost Ark.’”
Moreover, Edwards noted that Frank Marshall, a producer on both Jurassic World Rebirth and Raiders of the Lost Ark, recognized the similarities immediately. The crew, however, embraced the ancient artifacts, and overall, this feature remains intact. Edwards reflected:
“[He] walked onto set and said something like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is certainly familiar,’ I didn’t know if this was good or a bad thing, but I just looked at all the faces of the crew, and they were beaming. I kept waiting for someone to tell me, ‘No, don’t do that.’”
What This Indiana Jones Similarity Means For Jurassic World Rebirth
Jurassic World Rebirth Honors Steven Spielberg
Throughout Jurassic World Rebirth, it’s evident that Edwards draws inspiration from not just the original Jurassic Park, but from Spielberg’s broader cinematic universe. The Mosasaurus scene, for instance, boldly evokes memories of Jaws, another timeless Spielberg masterpiece.
The encounters with both the Mosasaurus and the Quetzalcoatlus deliver some of the film’s top moments. While the Quetzalcoatlus scene may remind viewers of Raiders of the Lost Ark, it shouldn’t be viewed negatively. Instead, these artifacts of an ancient civilization infuse the island with a richer narrative texture.
Our Take On Jurassic World Rebirth’s Similarity To Indiana Jones
Jurassic Park & Indiana Jones Are Both Great Franchises
Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones stand as two monumental examples of cinematic exploration, both touching on the tapestry of our world’s history. The Indiana Jones franchise unpacks hidden relics from ancient cultures, while the Jurassic Park series invites audiences into a realm where dinosaurs roamed eons before our time.
When we consider these franchises in tandem, it becomes apparent why Jurassic World Rebirth chooses to honor Raiders of the Lost Ark and its kin. It’s a delightful homage, reflecting the ambition of Edwards and his team to keep this exhilarating sequence alive within the narrative. The cinematic lineage continues, thrilling audiences for generations to come.
Source: Vanity Fair