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Jurassic World Rebirth review – Scarlett Johansson runs show as near-extinct franchise roars back to life

The latest instalment marks a return to form after some recent duds, with all the expected Spielberg-style set pieces and excellent romantic chemistry between the leads

But now, against all odds, these dinosaurs have had a brand refresh: a brighter, breezier, funnier, incomparably better acted and better written film, with unashamed nods to the summer smashes of yesteryear, that makes sense of the dino-spectacle moments that earn their place. Screenwriter David Koepp and director Gareth Edwards have been drafted in to take us back to basics with a new story, all but the drama with a “17 years previously” flashback at the start that entirely (and thankfully) ignores the tiresome convoluted dullness of what has recently happened. Zora Bennett, played by Scarlett Johansson, is the ex-military type running the show; bespectacled palaeontologist Dr Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) provides the scientific expertise; and Mahershala Ali brings megawatt charm to the role of Duncan Kincaid, the easy-going boat captain.

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