J.A. Bayona is the talented director of 2012’s Oscar-nominated drama “The Impossible”, based on the true story of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland) and the 2016 drama “A Monster Calls”, based on the novel about a boy dealing with sadness and grief (with Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver and Felicity Jones).
Both of those films centered on families and featured striking visuals: the roaring ocean waves in “The Impossible” and the “Monster” and his visionary stories in “A Monster Calls”.
Bayona took his experiences on those films and applied some strong techniques to his latest movie, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”. And while this second chapter in the dino franchise isn’t nearly as strong as his previous work, Bayona does include some brilliant shots. Here are my favorites:
WARNING: There are some Spoilers.
THE UNDERWATER POD SEQUENCE
In this 2-3 minute, continuous shot, we see Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Franklin (Justice Smith) underwater inside a “Jurassic World” pod – trying to escape. Owen (Chris Pratt) attempts to rescue them. It’s the first gripping scene in the entire movie, shown to us from a unique perspective.
DINO LEFT BEHIND
As Owen, Claire and others leave Isla Nublar on a ship, they see that a dino is still on the island, walking towards the edge. With the volcanic destruction surrounding him, we realize that this dino doesn’t have much longer to live. Smoke and fire appear, and a shadow of the dino is seen, before the doors of the ship close – signaling the end of an era.
FLASHBACK
During a scene in which Owen is treating Blue, a little girl named Maisie (Isabella Sermon), is in her father’s lab watching an older video of Owen and Blue. This cross-cut is very well done.
SPECIFIC LINE
When we hear the phrase, “It Needs a Mother!”, there is an immediate cut to Maisie. This is an important significance.
WALK LIKE A DINO
Maisie is hesitant to meet Owen and Claire, but she finally decides to step off a platform and walk towards them. When she puts her feet on the ground and begins slowly walking, the camera is tight on her feet – like a dino making its first steps.
THE MUSIC
When Claire asks Owen, “Remember the first time you saw a dinosaur”, we hear the iconic “Jurassic Park” theme playing gently in the background.
COMPARISON
When a certain creature enters a bedroom, the shadow of its head is seen comparable to a horse.
POST-CREDITS
It’s well done.