The latest installment in the dino-mite franchise, “Jurassic World Rebirth,” is packed with subtle and not-so-subtle nods to Steven Spielberg’s original 1993 classic, “Jurassic Park.” Director Gareth Edwards ensured plenty of fan-favorite throwbacks made it into the new film.
That Iconic Rearview Mirror Shot
Remember the heart-stopping moment in “Jurassic Park” when the T-Rex chased the jeep, and the “objects in mirror are closer than they appear” warning became terrifyingly real? “Rebirth” cleverly recreates this. Rupert Friend’s character, Martin Krebs, gets the same chilling perspective in his car’s side mirror.
Director Edwards specifically requested this detail for the wing mirror during the film’s final New York shoot, ensuring a hit of nostalgia for long-time fans.
A Salute to Dr. Alan Grant
Fans of the original trilogy will be thrilled to hear Dr. Alan Grant gets a direct mention. Jonathan Bailey’s character, Henry, reveals he studied under Grant, a beloved figure played by Sam Neill.
The homage goes deeper with subtle prop details. Henry’s bag features a patch from the Snakewater dig site, the same location from the opening of the first “Jurassic Park.” He even has a digging tool clipped to his belt, just like Grant’s.
Echoes of the Opening Attack
The original “Jurassic Park” started with a bang: a tense scene where a Velociraptor attacks a handler during transfer. “Rebirth” delivers a similar jolt in its prologue, set 17 years before the main story.
Here, a seemingly small mishap—a candy wrapper causing a malfunction at an InGen lab—leads to the D-Rex breaking free, setting the stage for chaos, much like the original film’s tone-setting opening.
Familiar Character Chemistry
The dynamic between Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey’s characters in “Rebirth” subtly mirrors the non-romantic tension shared by Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler in the 1993 film. There’s a playful “will-they-won’t-they” teasing throughout, but their relationship never fully crosses into romance.
This approach echoes Spielberg’s original choice; he even cut a kissing scene between Alan and Ellie from the first movie, perhaps reasoning that when dinosaurs are on the loose, there’s little time for flirtation.
The Awe-Inspiring Dinosaur Reveal
One of the most iconic moments in “Jurassic Park” is Alan and Ellie’s stunned reaction to seeing a Brachiosaurus for the first time, accompanied by John Williams’s unforgettable score. “Rebirth” recreates this sense of wonder with its own majestic reveal.
This time, it’s giant Titanosaurs, shown mid-mating, and the same classic theme music plays, perfectly capturing that feeling of awe and scale.
“Life Finds a Way” — The Pelican T-Shirt
Look closely during one scene, and you’ll spot Isabella wearing a T-shirt with a pelican on it. This is a direct tribute to the ending of “Jurassic Park,” where Alan and the kids watch pelicans flying off, signaling a return to some form of normalcy.
The shirt even features the famous line, “Life finds a way,” translated into Spanish. “Rebirth” offers its own twist on this ending, showing survivors watching dolphins leap peacefully from a boat, hinting at a new kind of calm.
The Hybrid Threat: Mutadons
Towards the film’s climax, the introduction of Mutadons—hybrids of raptors and Pteranodons—pays homage to the terrifying raptor scenes from the original. Their attack sequence feels like a modern reinterpretation of the classic raptor kitchen scene, but set in an abandoned convenience store.
There’s even a nail-biting chase through underground tunnels, reminiscent of the intense air duct sequence from the 1993 film, keeping the legacy of the cunning raptors alive.
- The classic rearview mirror “objects are closer” gag returns.
- New characters connect directly to Dr. Alan Grant’s past.
- Iconic opening and awe-inspiring dinosaur reveal scenes are re-imagined.
- Subtle character dynamics echo Alan and Ellie’s non-romantic bond.
- The “Life finds a way” theme is visually referenced through a t-shirt and a new ending.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” clearly understands its roots, providing plenty of Easter eggs for long-time fans while forging its own path into the future of the dinosaur-filled universe.
