Jurassic World Dominion: A Prequel?

Hey film buffs, are you ready to dive back into the world of dinosaurs? Specifically, are you wondering if Jurassic World Dominion is a prequel? Well, buckle up, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through time, timelines, and of course, those magnificent, and often terrifying, prehistoric creatures. Let's get straight to the point: no, Jurassic World Dominion isn't a prequel in the traditional sense. But, the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The film serves as a conclusion to the Jurassic World trilogy, bringing together characters from both the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. To fully understand its place within the broader Jurassic Park universe, let's break down the timeline and explore how Dominion fits in.

Understanding the Jurassic Park Timeline

Alright guys, let's start with a little recap of the Jurassic Park saga. The original Jurassic Park (1993) introduced us to the concept of bringing dinosaurs back to life. Ingeniously, they cloned them and put them on an island, for a theme park. The movie follows the events leading up to the disaster at the park and it shows us the consequences of playing God, pretty much. That movie was groundbreaking for its time, thanks to its special effects and that incredible storytelling by Steven Spielberg, and it set the stage for a franchise that would captivate audiences for decades to come. The success of the film led to the creation of sequels, each building upon the original's premise. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) followed, expanding the story with a new island and new dangers. Then came Jurassic Park III (2001), which took a slightly different direction, focusing on a rescue mission and different threats, showing us how the dinosaurs were evolving. However, the franchise went dormant for a while before the reboot with Jurassic World. Understanding the events of these films is crucial to understanding where Dominion comes in. The legacy of the original trilogy established the groundwork for the later films, setting up the world and the characters we would come to know and love (and sometimes fear).

The Jurassic World Era

Now, let's move on to the Jurassic World films. The franchise was rebooted with Jurassic World (2015), which takes place years after the events of the original Jurassic Park. This film brings us back to Isla Nublar, which now hosts a fully operational theme park. The premise is, that they're trying to make the park more profitable, which leads them to create a new genetically modified dinosaur, the Indominus Rex. This led to chaos and mayhem, resulting in the park's closure and another disaster. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) picks up after the previous film, with the dinosaurs now loose on the island. The film deals with the aftermath of the park's destruction and the dinosaurs' relocation to the mainland. The dinosaurs are then sold to different buyers and spread out to different parts of the world. The film sets the stage for Dominion, which focuses on the consequences of dinosaurs and humans coexisting, and on what happens next. The Jurassic World trilogy is a direct continuation of the original, although set years later and featuring new characters. So, it is not a prequel, but a sequel. The films build on the ideas of the original trilogy and explore how humans and dinosaurs can coexist, and the challenges they face.

The Place of Jurassic World Dominion

So, where does Jurassic World Dominion fit into this whole shebang? Well, as we mentioned earlier, it's not a prequel, but it's also not a standalone film. Think of it as the grand finale of the Jurassic World trilogy. Dominion brings together the original Jurassic Park characters (like Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm) with the new generation of characters from Jurassic World (like Owen Grady and Claire Dearing). The film explores the aftermath of the events of Fallen Kingdom and the impact that the dinosaurs have on the world. The dinos are out there, everywhere, and the film shows the audience how people struggle to deal with this new reality. The film explores the relationships between humans and dinosaurs. This makes it a direct sequel to the previous films. Dominion acts as a bridge, connecting the storylines and the characters of both eras. It creates a satisfying conclusion to the story that began in Jurassic Park, while also giving the newer characters a fitting send-off. The movie's plot focuses on the fight to survive, as dinosaurs and humans are forced to coexist in a changing world.

Key Plot Points and Timeline Relevance

To see this, let's focus on the plot of Dominion. The film picks up a few years after the events of Fallen Kingdom. Dinosaurs now live alongside humans, causing conflict and disruption. The film's narrative jumps between various locations, and it introduces new threats, such as a company that is creating genetically modified locusts. The characters from the original Jurassic Park trilogy return to help deal with this new crisis. The film is all about those characters working together to protect the world. As the story unfolds, we see that it's a direct consequence of the events of the earlier films. The actions and choices made in Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom have direct repercussions in Dominion. The timeline is linear, with each film building upon the previous one. There are no time jumps that would suggest a prequel or a parallel universe. The movie does however include flashbacks and references to the past. These elements enhance the viewers' appreciation of the franchise's history and the characters' evolution. However, these flashbacks don't make the film a prequel, but they enrich the overall experience. The story of Dominion completes the storylines that were started in the original films. It's a conclusion, not a beginning.

Why the Confusion? Exploring the Cinematic Structure

Now, you might be asking yourself why there's even a little bit of confusion about whether Dominion is a prequel. Well, let's explore some possible reasons for this. First, the film includes the returning characters from the original Jurassic Park trilogy. Seeing Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm back on screen can give the impression of a prequel, or at least a parallel story. The film also features a combination of new and old characters, which gives viewers a sense of bridging past and present, which can blur the distinctions between sequel and prequel. Secondly, the film explores the origins of the dinosaurs and their creation, including flashbacks that show the history of the company that created the dinosaurs. This may also cause some confusion. However, the film's main narrative follows the events that took place after the previous movies. Therefore, despite these elements, Dominion is not a prequel. The returning characters and the flashbacks actually serve to enrich the film's story and its connection to the overall franchise.

The Role of Nostalgia and Fan Expectations

Nostalgia, it's a powerful thing, right? The return of characters like Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler, and the use of iconic scenes, evokes that nostalgia feeling. This connection can make Dominion feel like a return to the roots of the franchise. Fans love to see how the older characters react to the new world of dinosaurs. The film cleverly uses the familiar elements to tap into the emotions of the viewers and the memories that they have about the original movie. This brings a sense of continuity. However, despite these nostalgic elements, the film still acts as a continuation. The new characters are the stars of the show and the film is a direct sequel to the films that came before. The film carefully balances the needs of both the old and new fans. Therefore, despite all of the nostalgia, Dominion is definitely not a prequel. The use of older characters helps complete the story.

Wrapping Up: Dominion's True Nature

So, there you have it, folks! Jurassic World Dominion is not a prequel. It's the epic conclusion to the Jurassic World trilogy, and it ties together the storylines of the original Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. It's a grand finale that brings together familiar faces and new threats, all while navigating the new reality of dinosaurs and humans coexisting. The film’s narrative is a direct consequence of the previous films. Dominion is a direct sequel and a culmination of the legacy of Jurassic Park. So, next time someone asks if Dominion is a prequel, you can confidently say: "Nope, it's the thrilling end of an era!" Now, go forth and enjoy the cinematic experience, and remember: nature finds a way, and so do the dinosaurs!