Jurassic World: Dominion

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Isabella Sermon, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudzou Athie, Campbell Scott and BD Wong

Running time: 2 Hours and 27 minutes

It’s hard to know where to begin with “Jurassic World: Dominion” because there is so much going on. The excitement and action are off the charts! There are many stories within the story that made it hard to follow. The filmmakers tried to bring the in former scenarios along with new ones and combine them for for an even more convincing storyline. Even though there was a lot of CGI (computer generated imagery) obviously with the dinosaurs, they were very lifelike and realistic. They came in all shapes and sizes and they were bright and colorful, both sweet and terribly vicious. This story takes place four years after the devastation in the former movie “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”. Dinosaurs are free to roam the world along with their human counterparts and it is interesting to say the least! Both Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) live in a remote area with their daughter Maisie (Isabella Sermon) who they took in when her mother died. When Maisie is suddenly kidnapped from them along with a baby Velociraptor dinosaur who belongs to a Velociraptor they befriended and named Blue. They were taken by a group of men who were sent to get them for the evil villain Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott). 

Characters from the original Steven Spielberg “ Jurassic Park” are incorporated into this movie. Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill as Alan Grant, Jeff  Goldblum as Ian Malcolm and BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu. I wish they had, had bigger parts in the movie, they brought back a little of that original Jurassic magic. All in all it was exciting, entertaining, adventurous and fun, a great summertime popcorn movie.

Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. Some mild profanity and no sexual innuendo. The dinosaurs are very realistic and intense, there are several chase scenes and dino-devouring of humans that I think are too realistic for young children. I think when it comes to dinosaur violence you are the best judge of what your children can and cannot handle. To be honest, a couple of those scenes even made me squeamish! I am giving “Jurassic World: Dominion” two and a half bags of popcorn.

TOP GUN MAVERICK

 PG-13

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Charles Parnell, Bashir Salahuddin, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Monica Barbaro, Greg Tarzan, Jay Ellis, Jack Schumacher, Danny Ramirez Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly.

  Running Time: 2 Hours and 11 Minutes.

So where do you begin after 36 years? Yes, it’s been 36 years since the original “Top Gun” movie was released in 1986. I keep hearing everywhere that it’s been 30 something years ago but it is actually 36, therefore after that long I had no idea what to expect. 

Tom Cruise reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. You really aren’t sure exactly what he has been doing for the past 36 years. He received a call that he is needed at The United States Navy Fighter Weapons School better known as Fighter Town USA, or “Top Gun” as it is famously known. Unknown to him, he was requested back by four-star admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer), from the original “ Top Gun” movie. When he arrives he is greeted by Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm)  with an interesting tension between the two. Cyclone questioning Maverick never having graduated through the ranks of the Navy to Admiral like those in his class so many years ago did. Rumor has is that Maverick didn’t move up because he never wanted to be grounded. Cyclone presents the mission they have called him back for and not as a pilot but as a teacher for the current class of the “Top Gun” attendees. Maverick is completely thrown off-guard by the teaching request/demand! A crisis has arisen in enemy territory and the USA only has three weeks or less to resolve the situation before it is too late. They need the top six pilots for the mission and they have to be flawless without exception! Maverick has the entire mission on his shoulders as he is dealing with coming back after all that time and many ghosts from his past.

I cannot recommend this movie enough, if you enjoyed the first movie, you will enjoy this movie, even if you never saw the original, you will enjoy this movie. If you have even forgotten the first movie, you will enjoy this movie. If you love extreme action and excitement, you will enjoy this movie! Plus, there is subtle romance and tenderness in this movie and some emotional reality as well. Also, this movie was made with minimal CGI (computer generated imagery). They shot the incredible video with six cameras inside each of the F/A-18 Super Hornet Jets for the most incredibly realistic effects! They also had the actual actors film the video themselves for an even more amazing experience. I absolutely loved this movie, it truly is a great feel good movie! Tom Cruise was exceptional!

Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. I would say a very mellow 13. There honestly was nothing too extreme for children. They toned down some of the sexual innuendo and profanity from the original, however there is some mild profanity with an unfortunate F-bomb uttered but not really distinguishable.  There is a lot of intense edge of your seat action between the flight training scenes and the actual mission itself. It might be too intense for children 12 and under. Also there is a scene on the beach with the male students playing tag football without their shirts on.

I am giving “Top Gun Maverick” a strong four bags of popcorn.

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