Kicking off the “big three” of blockbuster films this month (“Jurassic World Rebirth,” “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”), “Jurassic World Rebirth” doesn’t make for a strong start as it’s just the same familiar beats we’ve all seen before. 

I’ve been turned off from the Jurassic franchise ever since “Jurassic World” (2015) but decided to give the franchise the benefit of the doubt with the latest installment being rather separate from everything prior, allowing for a truly individualistic story to be told. 

The film follows the rich pharmaceutical agent Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) enlisting Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) to infiltrate the island where genetic testing for the original Jurassic Park was done. 

I wish I could say these actors are entertaining to watch together, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Not a single one of them has chemistry with another and all of their scenes are plagued by questionable writing that often has them repeat something already said or explicitly tell the audience what’s happening. 

It’s not even like the film is trying to hold the audience’s hand, it’s more so like the film was trying to explain to the kids in my theater what was happening as if they couldn’t gather that from just paying attention. 

The film’s first half-hour starts off pretty slow, but the plot picks up once the crew starts their task of retrieving blood samples from the three largest living dinosaurs across the sea, land and air to create a revolutionary drug that could increase humanity’s lifespan. 

Seems simple enough, right? Well, not so fast. 

This island features a mix of mutated and regular dinosaurs that attack the main crew often as per usual with this franchise. 

I was never a huge fan of the mutated dinosaurs, so balancing the two here really helps the film feel more in line with the Jurassic Park trilogy as the fear instilled by the more recognizable dinosaurs is front and center once again. 

The same could’ve happened with the mutated dinosaurs, but the trailers sold away all of that from the very beginning. 

One mutated dinosaur is designated the D-Rex and only really appears briefly in the opening scene and throughout the third act.  

Knowing it was coming thanks to the trailer ruined that part of the film. If the trailers omitted the scenes with the D-Rex, there would’ve been a lot more horror to go along with it. 

Horror is something this franchise has been lacking for a long time, and I really wish this was the film that capitalized on it. 

For example, there is a subplot involving a family stranded on the island that adapts a raft sequence from Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel that the original film was based on.  

This scene is rather tense and engaging but all the horror aspects of it feel ripped away to keep things PG-13. 

Despite this, there are some positives to “Jurassic World Rebirth” that I hadn’t felt from the franchise in a long time. 

The cinematography is really strong as intense scenes are typically shot wider to allow for the scale of the dinosaurs and the environments to be a part of the tension. 

On the flip side, there are plenty of calming wide shots that feature Alexandre Desplat utilizing the iconic motifs created by John Williams to freeze the audience in awe while creating new works that fit a variety of emotions whether it be wonder or sadness. 

The design of the film is also incredible and has been a strong suit of the franchise from the very start.  

If you’ve seen anything from this franchise before, you can guess what everything looks like pretty well, but the mutated dinosaurs are truly stunning. 

Despite the short appearances, the D-Rex having a design inspired by the Rancor from Star Wars made it a standout among the rest. 

Aside from the occasional mutant dinosaurs, “Jurassic World Rebirth” isn’t anything that different from what the franchise has already shown us. 

The plot continues to follow a group going to a dinosaur-infested island and trying to escape the acting and writing aren’t strong whatsoever, but the cinematography and design still capture like always. 

Failing to do anything unique with this film results in it feeling like the same old, same old. 

Rating: 2/5 

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui club volleyball team took home a national title.

The Hawaiian Style boys 15 and under team came out on top of 2025 USA Volleyball Open Division National Championship, hosted at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

They downed the Diablo volleyball club in two sets to take it all.

In the tournament, the team from Kahului, was dominant going undefeated at 7-0.

And they only dropped a single set in their entire run.

It’s also believed to be the first club team from Maui Island to take home a National title.

The Hawaiian Style 15 and under boys head coach, Kalae Tanaka said, “Every island prides themselves, but to be from an outer island and bring home such a big, tournament trophy, like such a big accomplishment means a lot to the island for sure.”

From the other islands, the Big Island volleyball club won the 18 under American and Oahu team 808 Athletic Club won the 16 under American Division.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Leila Sicoli and CJ Upchurch, two Austin natives and graduates of the Texas School for the Deaf, are headed to Tokyo this November to compete at the Deaflympics as members of the USA Deaf Women’s and Men’s Volleyball National Teams. The pair is chasing gold—while also building up the next generation of Deaf volleyball players.

At the Texas School for the Deaf, both were introduced to a range of sports, but volleyball quickly became their shared passion.

“I have a passion for volleyball it just feels good to me. Playing gives me a special kind of feeling,” said Sicoli.

“It started when I was a kid. I had a lot of concussions, so football wasn’t an option—and my mom was a volleyball coach,” said Upchurch.

Through hard work and dedication, both earned spots on the national teams.

“It’s meant a lot—I’ve always wanted to be part of the team. I’ve met so many deaf people it’s been really, really nice,” Upchurch said.

Last summer, the athletes competed for Team USA at the World Deaf Championships, gaining experience on the global stage.

“Getting to meet the players we had a lot of competitive games. It was bittersweet, but intense,” Sicoli said.

As they prepare to return to international competition, they’re also giving back. Leila and CJ are hosting youth camps in partnership with USA Deaf Volleyball to mentor the next wave of athletes.

“Being a role model for the youth means a lot. I remember idolizing players—now being one of them really hits home,” Sicoli shared.

“My coach was someone I always admired. Seeing how he moved, how he led—I wanted to be like that. That’s what motivates me to give back,” said Upchurch.

Unlike most Olympic-bound athletes, Deaflympics competitors must self-fund their journeys—covering travel, lodging, and training expenses out of pocket.

“Going to Japan and competing for a medal—it means so much. But yeah, we’re paying out of pocket, so we have to give it everything,” said Sicoli.

For Leila and CJ, this trip is about more than competition. It’s a celebration of community, culture, and connection through sport.

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW