Critics’ reviews

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

23 reviews from 23 publications. Critics’ score 38: 3 positive, 4 mixed, 16 negative.

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38
Positive
3
Mixed
4
Negative
16

Most critics think poorly of it: sixteen of the twenty-three reviews are negative, and even the kinder ones settle for fun but frustrating. Where praise exists, it clusters around the return of Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, whose easy byplay is repeatedly named the film’s strongest element. A handful of set pieces are also singled out, the Malta chase most often, along with one or two imaginative glimpses of dinosaurs loose in the modern world.

The reservations are consistent. The dinosaurs are sidelined by a plot about locusts and corporate espionage; two casts leave the film overstuffed; and there is little of the awe or dread the original traded on. The Guardian goes further and finds Chris Pratt’s lead performance dire. The spread is wide, though: Variety and Screen Daily call it the most entertaining of the recent trilogy, Deadline alone is properly enthusiastic, while Time Out and the Los Angeles Times rank it among the franchise’s worst.

Screen Daily
8 June 2022
70*

The critic sees it as the most engaging film of the recent trilogy, leaning on nostalgic associations with returning original cast members for gripping sequences and clever byplay. It repeats past strengths but not quite as ingeniously, with the third act delivering old-fashioned monster movie thrills.

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Variety
8 June 2022 · Peter Debruge
70*

The critic finds “Dominion” the least silly and most entertaining of the three “Jurassic World” entries, crediting the return of original stars and solid action sequences. It still repeats franchise formulas without meaningfully exploring human-dinosaur coexistence.

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Radio Times
8 June 2022 · ★★★
60

The review finds it a fun but frustrating beast with half-baked storylines and a paint-by-numbers adventure that falls short of redemption. Standout action sequences and imaginative flair, including strong supporting turns, make it worth seeing despite the flaws.

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The New York Times
8 June 2022 · A.O. Scott
55*

The critic finds “Dominion” a little better than its two “Jurassic World” predecessors but still hampered by hectic incoherence. Dinosaurs rarely produce moments of Spielbergian awe amid the crowded plotting and fan-service reunions.

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Empire
8 June 2022 · Ian Freer
50*

The film is a messy, overstuffed affair that ignores the premise of dinosaurs living among humans but delivers fun dino action and set pieces. It is elevated by the return of the original trilogy's Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, whose dynamic provides the strongest moments.

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Financial Times
8 June 2022 · ★★ · Danny Leigh
40

The promised final chapter is a parade of generic action mayhem, a dull hodgepodge that partially salvages itself through the lightness of touch from legacy cast members like Dern, Neill and Goldblum.

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Sight and Sound
9 June 2022 · Kim Newman
30*

The critic finds the film overstuffed with franchise characters old and new at the expense of the dinosaurs, which have little involvement in the plot. Some imaginative moments of dinosaurs in the modern world stand out amid the contrived peril scenes and Bond-style plotting.

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The Hollywood Reporter
8 June 2022 · David Rooney
30*

The critic finds the film larger, louder and more laborious than its predecessors, faulting its overplotted chaos and soulless mayhem that marginalizes both characters and dinosaurs. He singles out the absence of suspense, mystery or lingering awe for complaint.

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Total Film
8 June 2022
30*

The newest Jurassic is less a triumphant send-off than a passable retread that only approaches classic status when venturing into uncharted territory. It disappoints by confining the second half to familiar territory despite some strong new elements like the locust swarm and certain action sequences.

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Vulture
9 June 2022 · Bilge Ebiri
30*

The critic argues the film fails by abandoning its dinosaur premise for a frantic mix of subgenres like kidnapping thrillers and action flicks, resulting in a chaotic yet lifeless experience. He singles out the lack of awe or imagination around the creatures themselves for complaint.

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The Telegraph
10 June 2022
25*

The sixth film is a daft corporate-espionage thriller with dinosaurs awkwardly inserted; the plot is poor, the action lousy, and the dinosaurs feel surplus to requirements, marking an extinction-level event for the franchise's credibility.

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The Guardian
8 June 2022 · Peter Bradshaw
20*

The film is a convoluted, mediocre and pointless franchise exercise that feels lifeless and contrived. Chris Pratt's lead performance is singled out as particularly dire and unconvincing.

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The Times
8 June 2022 · ★
20

This is a series of emotionally empty action sequences with two-dimensional characters fleeing special-effects dinosaurs; there is no genuine dread or fear, and the film hits rock bottom for the flaccid franchise.

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Los Angeles Times
8 June 2022 · Justin Chang
10*

The critic calls the film an underimagined, overlong and rudderless dud whose dinosaurs have lost their power to awe or scare. Tedious repetition and weak human plotting make the franchise feel overdue for extinction despite the star reunions.

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Time Out
8 June 2022 · Phil de Semlyen
10*

The critic calls it an extinction-level turkey and a messy, monotonous legacy sequel collapsing under callbacks, ropey CGI and dodgy plotting. Even the reunion of the original Jurassic Park stars fails to save it from feeling like a tribute band act.

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Deadline
8 June 2022 · Pete Hammond
80*

The critic praises the successful reunion of the original Jurassic Park stars with the newer Jurassic World cast, along with strong action sequences like the Malta set-piece and high production values. The film is seen as a fun, exciting conclusion with relevant environmental themes.

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Digital Spy
10 June 2022 · Ian Sandwell
60*

The film is an entertaining but overfamiliar and safe conclusion that fails to feel impactful as a saga finale. The legacy cast's chemistry and certain set pieces stand out, while the lack of surprises and repetitive structure are drawbacks.

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/Film
8 June 2022 · 4/10 · Chris Evangelista
40

The critic calls the film a brain-dead, clunky, and shockingly boring series of loud ugly scenes with no weight or life. The return of legacy characters and dinosaurs cannot rescue the movie from feeling like a failed globe-trotting spy thriller.

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Collider
8 June 2022 · D · Ross Bonaime
37

The critic calls it the worst film in the Jurassic franchise, an exhausting slog and one of the worst major blockbusters in recent memory. They single out the failure to meaningfully use the legacy characters or harness the original's joy and spectacle.

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Den of Geek
8 June 2022 · 2 out of 5 · David Crow
30*

The critic finds the film bloated and disappointing, with dinosaurs sidelined by subplots involving locusts and corporate intrigue. Some practical effects and nostalgic moments with the legacy cast are noted positively, but overall it lacks childlike wonder.

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NME
8 June 2022 · Lou Thomas
30*

The review calls it a bone-headed cash-in that underdelivers on its premise and exits the trilogy with a whimper rather than a roar. Some exciting action sequences and the legacy actors are highlights, but incomprehensible plots and focus on locusts are major complaints.

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The Wrap
8 June 2022
30*

The critic describes the film as a hot mess hampered by clumsy attempts to combine the two casts, resulting in weaker new characters and excessive plot-jumping. It notes some effective scares and a strong chase sequence but criticizes the lack of substance beyond dinosaur action.

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The Ringer
9 June 2022 · Adam Nayman
20*

The critic finds the film overly long and soullessly engineered, proving the franchise has learned nothing from its predecessors. They single out the desperate, obligatory fan service and lack of genuine wit or thoughtful execution.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate