When Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” was released in 1993, it became a cultural phenomenon overnight. How could it not be? From the memorable John Williams soundtrack to the impressive practical effects that brought dinosaurs to life, it was a marvel of cinema.

Besides being a critical and financial success, the first film also helped spawn a new generation of palaeontologists, with dinosaur-obsessed kids growing up to become dinosaur-obsessed adults.

Given the goodwill the “Jurassic Park” name has with the public, it is amazing to see just how much “Jurassic World: Dominion” squanders it.

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, who also helmed the first “Jurassic World” instalment, this film is intended to be the closing chapter of the trilogy.

Once more, it follows Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) as they uncover a sinister conspiracy in a world where dinosaurs and humans co-exist.

Coming along for the ride are alumni of the first “Jurassic Park”, with Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) returning for one last hurrah.

Now, if you want nothing more than to see your favourite dinosaurs being pitted against each other like action figures, this film is for you. But if you were expecting something on par with Spielberg’s masterpiece, you will be sorely disappointed.

“Jurassic Park” had interesting characters, deep themes and an impressive soundtrack; “Jurassic World: Dominion” has little in comparison. In fact, one could take issue with the name itself!

“Dominion” suggests that the dinosaurs have retaken from humans their place at the top of the food chain. Indeed, the trailers give the impression that the film would be about how humanity would have to learn to co-exist with these giant reptiles.

Yet, the primary focus of the plot is dealing with a bio-engineered locust threat and saving a human clone. In short, the dinosaurs take a backseat in a movie about dinosaurs. The writers might as well have named it “Jurassic World: A Bug’s Life”.

The scribes behind this wreck must be rather forgetful, actually, given how the ending voiceover is pretty much exactly the same as that of the previous film, “Fallen Kingdom”.

The repeated idea that dinosaurs and humans can co-exist without harming each other is ludicrous, given the damage reintroduced dinosaurs would do to the modern-day ecosystem.

Yet, it’s baffling that the writers didn’t go further and explore the idea of dinosaurs being allowed to live in the real world, given how ripe with potential this idea could’ve been.

Plot armour and plot holes

No matter how “Dominion” tries, the stakes are never high enough for you to worry about the protagonists’ lives. It’s a real problem when there’s never a moment wherein you think the characters are in any real danger, despite them living in a world where they could end up as dino chow.

Do you remember how, in “Jurassic Park”, characters actually died?? There was a real sense of danger, and you couldn’t tell who would be next on the menu.

Here, there’s none of that. Heck, the main characters are probably superhuman for all you know – after all, Grady does lasso a dinosaur with his bare hands in the opening scene.

In fact, the one character you would probably feel the most concern for is not even human. Don’t die on us, Rexy! You are this film’s saving grace!

The editors, too, are no better than the writers: there are cuts that are jarring enough for the average viewer to notice.

In one scene, Dern is sliding off a precarious slope, with Grady reaching to pull her up. In the next cut, Dern is the one pulling Grady up. What happened there?!

Of the performances, Howard certainly does her best in a movie that doesn’t deserve her talents. And who can ignore Goldblum, the man whose wit is as eternal as his charm?

Funnily enough, a lot of his dialogue seems to be a condemnation of the film itself. “You exploited people’s enchantment with dinosaurs!” he says at one point, which could be perfectly aimed at Universal Studios and the filmmakers.

And in another scene, he goes: “Jurassic World, not a fan!” It is hard to say if it’s a deliberate jab at the franchise, but his lines certainly feel like it.

At its core, “Dominion” is a poorly thought out, clunky, overly long dirge that lacks imagination and is a shadow of what “Jurassic Park” was. Despite the fond memories, perhaps it is for the good of cinema that this franchise stays extinct.

‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ is playing in cinemas nationwide.