Shawn Lucas is the self identified "Noob of All Trades". He is married and the father of three boys, two of whom help with their own podcast every couple of months. Raised on Atari, Nintendo, and Sega, he enjoys all games and will play all of them to the best of his ability, which is often average at best. Currently, he is most interested in Magic, Heroclix, and other games that he can play with Chris and his sons.
I learned about Terraria from a former student who told me, “If you like Minecraft, you’ll love Terraria.” I can confidently say that, at least initially, that wasn’t true. I played Terraria. I understood Terreria. However, I never truly liked Terreria for a long time. I tried again a couple of times over the years and always came away with the same assessment. This is like Minecraft, but objectively worse in every way. I still kind of think that. Even so, I can also say that Terraria is a Gift.
Why Do I Keep Dying?
How is this fun? I start playing like I do in Minecraft. But, I have no idea how to properly build a base. And, the monsters that come out during the night are insanely powerful. Jesus, how long is this day/night cycle? I just keep dying. Over and over again.
Here lies me. So many times. How is this fun?
So, I quit the game. Often, in frustration. And, I ignored it for several months at a time. I own many games and partake in other hobbies. I’m 50 years old. Why the hell would I bang my head against the wall repeatedly on a game that clearly doesn’t want me to enjoy it. Then, I relented an bough a Steam Deck.
A Redemption Arc
Was the Steam Deck worth it? Probably not. Is it insanely fun to play my Steam library without having to fire up my gaming computer? Hell to the yes. I played some Truck Simulator on the Steam Deck. Then came 1 Screen Platformer. I considered Fallout 3 or 4 and maybe even another replay of Portal.
Over and over, Terraria haunted me from the “Good on Steam Deck!” listing. Okay, fine, I’ll try again. And, yes, it ended the exact same way. However, two other students encouraged me to give it another shot and even gave me some pointers on how to survive the night. I played through my initial death, found a cave, dug a tunnel and kept digging. Eventually, I found another cave where I set up base.
I dug even further, died a few times, but I kept going. And, yes, I even found myself having fun and wanting to explore more. I should mention at this point that I’m happiest in Minecraft when I’m strip mining. Being able to finally replicate that in Terraria made the game that much more fun.
The Verdict
I still prefer Minecraft. It’s given me so many memories, both alone and with my kids. However, Terraria is a gift. Once I truly figure out the game and how the mechanics work together, I might even play it more. I doubt it will approach my Minecraft numbers of over 400 hours played this year. However, I’m much more likely to play it in the hotel during our trip to Pennsylvania this year.
I went to Wal*Mart a few months ago. That’s not unusual. Living in small town America means that Wal*Mart represents the only real shopping option. While there, I went into the clearance section. Again, not anything new. I often peruse the deals in clearance to see if I can get school supplies or cheap Pop figures. However, this time, I found both College Football 25 and FC25 for the PS5 for $15 each. I haven’t yet played FC25, but I can say without hesitation that College Football 25 is a gift.
Some History
I last played the series back on the PS3 when they called it NCAA Football 25 and none of the names matched actual players. Now, in this era of NIL, each player gets representation in the game. While I’m happy for them, I ultimately don’t care who populates my teams.
That’s because the only mode I ever play is the Road to Glory mode. I love designing my own player, working against the odds to reach the starting lineup and leading my team to a national championship. In the previous version, I played a WR/CB two way player that won the Heisman as a sophomore and led the team to a number 1 ranking during his junior year. I don’t think I ever finished that player’s career because life got in the way.
Let me casually mention that I did that all at WVU, too.
Now, Back to the Present
For my first character, I chose a wide receiver again. I couldn’t see a way to make him a two way player, so I only played the one position this time. I started on Air Force, by no means a friendly school to wide recievers. However, I showed my grit and determination by blocking well and playing slot receiver for a team that started 0-9 and won the final three with me as starter.
I then entered the transfer portal and went to Tulane. We made it to the college playoffs every year (fortelling Tulane’s rise this year), losing in the second round during my sophomore year, losing in the championship my junior year, and finally winning it all in my Heisman winning senior year.
I recently finished a round playing as a quarterback, starting at Kennesaw State. I led them to a national championship win over Ohio State that year. My work done in Georgia, I came home to help my local team the University of Massachusetts. You may recognize them as the team that hasn’t won a game in over two years. Not so in the fictional world with Shawn Lucas as quarterback. No, they produced a two time Heisman winning running back (his sophomore and junior year) and three Heisman finalists this past year. I have yet to upload screenshot proof of that feat, but they will come sooner rather than later. I also won back to back national championships in my junior and senior year and went undefeated in both seasons.
The Verdict
You’d think it might get boring defeating mid-major and FCS schools 49-10 every single week. So far, it hasn’t. Having finished the latest round with UMass, I think I want to try a defensive player next. Perhaps a linebacker. Maybe for the University of Hawai’i? Who knows? The sky’s the limit. And, that’s part of the reason that College Football 25 is a gift.
What? MK1 is a gift?! Have we gone mad here at 2 Generations Gaming? Perhaps, but if you know us, this won’t come as a surprise. First, we zig when others zag. Second, I like to find something to praise about almost every creative project. Wait. I’m serious here. You mean the other MK1, right? The original? Surely, you don’t mean the new one. Reddit asks, “You’re still playing MK1?”
Nope, not that one.
Yep, that’s the one.
I don’t care what “the people” say. I played the game and it lets me do what I want to do in Mortal Kombat. It takes me back to my teenage years when my friend and I played the originals up until Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. We went to the mall on a weekly basis (daily during the summer) to play the games. We made friends face to face and laughed hysterically.
The Story
People say that they are tired of the “multiverse” stories. I’m not exactly sure why. I love the “What If” stories from old Marvel. Sure, some of them are ridiculous, but that’s what makes them so fun. I think we all collectively lost our minds during Covid and never truly regained any sense of sanity. Either that, or we all died shortly after they fired up the huge hadron collider and this is my personal hell.
Yes, I fully admit to being a Liu Kang stan. Perhaps that clouded my judgement of the game and story.
Truly, nothing about the story comes off as completely offensive to me. Liu Kang, who always wins the tournament in the end, takes the hourglass and uses it to reshape the universe in his image. Some things turn out the same. Others get tweaked. But, I recognized everything and everyone in the game. And, frankly, they made me laugh more than once with how silly they wrote the story.
Invasions
Again, judged far too harshly in my opinion. Are they repetitive? Sure, but that just means that you get more of a chance to perform your favorite fatalities or brutalities. And, they offer experience to work towards higher levels, new fatalities and brutalities, and skins. I mean, its better than paying 20 bucks every month for a battle pass for the exact same thing. So, I’ll take this version every single time.
Plus, they provide a mini story with each season that explains the crossover from the other world. Last time, it was Reptile’s race who ruled the world and all of the skins reflected that. I completed the entire map 100% and decided to take the plunge again this season. This time, all of the characters come with a Shang Tsung flavor. Sure, the skins don’t hold my interest as much as the Reptile ones, but I’m still excited to collect.
The Verdict (MK1 is a gift)
The game’s not perfect. Then again, nothing is. I know that goes without saying, but I feel like the internet (once a bastion against ignorance, I thought) now allows every single one of us to spout our idiot opinion unabated. Yes, I realize the irony of writing that on a blog dedicated to me spouting my idiot opinion. At least I’m self aware enough to make that realization. Because, honesly, the game plays fine and for me, at least, MK1 is a gift.
Last year, I reworked the site some and came up with a theme for each month of the year. December became “Gaming is a Gift” and I wrote about the games that brought me joy throughout the year. I continue that tradition this year because why fix what isn’t broken? As a way to ease back into regular content onthe page, I bring you mobile gifts 2025.
Chess is a Gift
I signed up for the chess.com app a few years ago. Some of the students at the school where I teach asked me to start a chess club. I wanted to expand the idea into a tabletop games club, but it never got off the ground. As a result, I fell off using the app on a daily basis. I concentrated more on Magic the Gathering and Hearthstone.
Slowly this year, I started to play other mobile games. I started with Balatro (you can see a couple of videos on my YouTube page) and then graduated to Chess as my daily app. They provide you with a puzzle that teaches you different end game strategies. I started by simply solving the puzzles. Now, however, I see many of the strategies and figure out the puzzles that way.
I’m not brave enough to play any real players (or even the bots) yet, but my friend texted me about chess a couple of days ago. He played in some local tournament and wanted to bounce ideas off of me. That inspired me some to at least think about playing some actual games.
New York Times Games are a Gift
First, yes, I understand that they underwent a couple of collective actions. And, yes, I present myself as friendly to labor and hostile to the ruling class. However, I scabbed this time. I feel terrible about it, but we all lie with snakes in our lives. All we can do is work to help make things better. No idea if I actually accomplish that or not, but I try.
I play the games that allow for streaks. My gamer brain responds to those. Honestly, that’s why I open the chess app daily. So, I start with Wordle, then move to the Mini crossword. After, I finish Strands and then go on to Connections. Finally, when I get home from work, I open the app again and complete the main crossword.
Verdict
Both Chess and New York times were mobile gifts 2025. They provided me with a distraction from the daily grind. I used them to build routine and help develop my mental accumen. As I said in the video uploading to YouTube tomorrow, as you approach 50, the brain works less and less efficiently (I used the word well, see?) and we need all the help we can get. Hopefully, I pick up the chess app soon and play a game against the bot soon.
For clarification, this article covers the new show released on Disney+ this week. Yes, I’m one of the whores who kept Disney+ in spite of their capitulation to the Trump administration. None of us are innocent in this. Let he who is free of sin cast the first stone. Okay, mini sermon over. Let’s talk about my Marvel Zombies first impressions.
Yesterday, a student asked if I watched the show. He knows that I’m a Marvel fan. Earlier in the week, he asked me to be part of his Marvel trivia segment on the school news show. I failed. Got Sebastian Stan correct as the actor who plays Bucky. Couldn’t remember E.D.I.T.H or Moon Knight’s 3 main personalities. Oh well, can’t win ’em all.
Marvel Zombies First Impressions (by Episode)
Episode 1
A good introduction to the world. The typical drop you in the middle of the apocalypse with no explanation. Some call this lazy writing, but it works as a narrative device. Our team of heroes consists of characters shit on by the fan base over the last couple of years. I love that. Fuck the neck beards who can’t handle a woman protagonist and feel the need to come up with explanations for their misogyny. I will keep it spoiler free, but the plot revolves around a fetch quest. Another group of maligned characters teams up with them and the big bad is teased. Good start – 7/10
Episode 2
Flashback time! We still don’t know the genesis of the plague, but we get some more of the before times. Yet, again, they go to the well of shit on projects, Shang Chi. As an aside, I loved Shang Chi and don’t understand the hate here. This episode revolves around their back story and what they’re up to now. Slight spoiler: It’s very reminiscent of Mad Max. Fun characters get introduced. Shit hits the fan in a big way and we get a closer look at the big bad. Decent follow up – 7/10
Episode 3
Another flashback. Spider-Man, Black Panther, and a ridiculous third character (trying very hard to avoid big spoilers) fight against a potentially huge enemy. Not the big bad, but a big bad from the MCU’s past. I think they handled this fight and result in the most perfect way. Good thing because they telegraphed the next reveal so hard that I literally rolled my eyes when it happened. They made up for it with another kick ass fight between the big bad and an outstanding cameo. Now, things are getting good – 8/10
Episode 4
The finale. I know! Only 4 episodes? Well, it made for an enjoyable, but not too long, binge. I literally can’t talk about anything in this episode without giving away huge spoilers. So, I will simply cover the structure of the episode. All I can say is this episode is amazing. I loved everything about it. Folks on Reddit had some things to say, but I never listen to professional critics. I’m not going to bother with amateur hour. Did one thing that finales are supposed to do. Left me wanting more. Great finish – 9/10
My Verdict
TLDR: Watch the series, if only for the finale episode. Seriously, I hated Zeb Wells run on Spider-Man, but he did well on Deadpool and Wolverine, and he killed it on this one. Starts a little slow (not in the action way), but picks up and finishes strong. Plus, it’s only about 2 hours out of your life if you hate it.
I’ve been home sick from school the last three days and I’m starting to get a little stir crazy. I don’t want to record while sick because the audio might strain my voice too much or there will be too much coughing to edit. So, I went to my schedule and looked to see what else I can do to update the page this week. Earlier in the week, I gave my State of Spawniverse – September 2025 on Tik Tok. Might as well also upload it here for anyone who still reads blogs.
The Books
King Spawn 48: Rory McConville with Uncle Todd on script, Dudu Pansica on art
Story: Been done before. Spawn as judge, jury, and executioner. Still a fun read. 2/5 Art: Cool haunted house vibes before the inevitable ultraviolence. 3/5 Worth? It’s a fun story. Worth a read.
Gunslinger Spawn 46: Uncle Todd on story with Carlo Barberi doing art
Story: Typical Uncle Todd plot soup. A lot happening for not too much to happen. 2/5 Art: Barberi is my favorite artist on the books. 4/5. Worth? For the art and maybe I was too tough on Uncle Todd. I’ll reread it.
Sam and Twitch 16: Jordan Barel with story, Thomas Nachlik on art
Story: Twitch’s personal and professional drama meet the supernatural. Excellent. 4/5 Art: Not the usual Spawn style, but it works for this book. 3/5. Worth? Absolutely. You want this book.
Rat City 17: Erica Schults writes, Ze Carlos draws.
Story: Wow. It took me a while to “get” this book, but it has it all. Drama. Trauma. Reckoning with the past. Bravo. 4/5 Art: Brings it all together. You see the action, the desperation, the fear. 4/5 Worth? Absolutely. But this book at any cost.
Spawn 367: Uncle Todd on story, Brett Booth on art
Story: Took a while to find its footing after 300 and 350. Still not 100% there, but constantly progressing. 3/5 Art: Plays with color in a way that’s intense and fun. Puts you on edge from go. 3/5 Worth? Check out the art. Story can be skipped right now.
The Scorched 44: Layman and Uncle Todd plot, Stephen Segovia art
Story: Brings the band back together. Setting up for the next big battle. Doesn’t showcase Layman’s strengths, IMO 3/5 Art: Segovia is my 2nd favorite behind Barberi. 3/5 Worth? If only to be in the know when the next big thing hits.
The Verdict
Overall, the state of Spawniverse – September 2025 is solid. A few of the books are great. None of them are simply outright bad. For a character that’s been out over 30 years now, they keep finding ways to keep him relevant and fresh. For that, Uncle Todd has my utmost respect.
At the beginning of summer, even before I conducted my final class, cleaned my room, and stepped out of the school for, well, for only two weeks because of summer school, I put together a list of 5 games I wanted to play over the summer. I knew, as you probably did, that list would not be completed. However, maybe I should have played more than one of them for an extended period of time. That might make Summer 2025 Post Mortem a bit less depressing.
It’s not that I didn’t play video games. In fact, I discovered a web page that superimposes achievements onto older video games. As a result, I spent most of my free time in Europe playing Mario vs. Donkey Kong to beat that game. When we got back, I went to one of my favorite games of all time, Frostbite. I need only one achievement there in order to “complete” that game. More recently, I picked up Super Mario 64 again. One of the greatest games ever made. Can’t hate me for that.
The Game(s) I Played
As mentioned, I played a tiny amount of both Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Last of Us. Literally only played through the introduction of both games. Hey, it just gives me a head start on Games for Winter Break. Or, maybe Summer Break 2026. Who knows, maybe I’ll get really crazy and play them without a vacation or one pending.
I played a ton of Hades. Made it to Meg a couple of times. Unlocked the vault or whatever its called where you get kudos for meeting the gods, getting different bonuses, etc. Both of those made me want to play the game even more. If I have time, maybe I will upload some of that play to the YouTube in between Pokemon, Truck Driving, trying to 100% Mario vs. DK and Doors. So, there’s another one I promised!
The Verdict
I said this Summer 2025 Post Mortem might be depressing. I suppose, in retrospect, that makes sense. You rarely go into a post mortem thinking that it will be bright and rosy. However, there are a couple of ways to approach it. I’d rather celebrate the good that I accomplished than worry about the bad or what I didn’t.
As I spent the last two and a half weeks with 2/3 of the family in London and Belgium, I thought about how I might frame the Fantastic Four review that I had yet to write. Then, it came to me in a flash. When I reviewed Thunderbolts* and, even, Superman, I talked about family. Three movies, one common theme. Also, the time in Europe. It’s really simple if you make it. The Summer of Family.
A Recap
The family in Thunderbolts* is chosen family. Superman, of course, focuses on adopted family. Both of these concepts are near and dear to me. Those who have been around for a while know that I often say that “family ain’t nothing but blood”. It sounds brutal and, I suppose on some level, it is. But, there’s no guarantee that the people who birth you or live with you from an early age, based solely on that birth, are good people.
And, I don’t think there should be a requirement to stay in that shitty situation simply because you share blood with those people. It’s unhealthy (both physcially and emotionally). It might be downright dangerous and life-threatening. Why shouldn’t you be allowed to tell them to fuck off and find people who will love you and care about you for who you are?
In Thunderbolts*, Red Guardian does just that. He keeps pushing the people around him to love and care about each other. Ultimately, that’s all Bob needs to help him control the Sentry and Void (or at least keep them at bay). In Superman, when he learns that his parents are supremacist assholes, initially it breaks his entire identity. Then, Pa Kent sets him right and he and the world are better for it.
Fantastic Four (THE Summer of Family Movie)
Fantastic Four, as with many Marvel comics, involves actual blood relations. Reed and Sue are married. Sue and Johnny are brother and sister. Franklin is Sue’s and Reed’s child. Ben is adopted since he is a close friend of Reed. And, while they fight with one another (all families have some friction), they ultimately love one another and that love keeps them together as a team.
Some might argue (actually, I know for a fact that they have because I stumbled on the articles soon after seeing the movie) that all of this love and devotion might make for a shitty movie. I don’t agree. Maybe it’s because I’ve often been surrounded by people that love and support me, but when I see that on a screen, it makes me more likely to enjoy that movie. And, this one is no different.
Ultimately, I go to movies to be entertained. And, this movie was highly entertaining. I laughed more than once. Some of you believe that the old funny pages ain’t supposed to be funny. I say, to you sir, pull that stick out of your ass. When the Silver Surfer showed up, it barely even registered that she was female instead of male. She played the part so well that it gave me chills. The most common argument lately is that the “coolest” characters get almost no screen time. This time it was Galactus. But, I liked the design of the character and hope to see more.
The Verdict
These three movies gave very different representations of family, but they all did a great job in getting the point across. I loved every single one of them and even saw Superman twice. I await a rainy day to plub myself in front of Disney+ to watch the other two again along with Captain America and enjoy myself with one last glimmer of “The Summer of Family” before school takes over. The grumps out there? I guess post more dumb shit on Twitter and message boards.
The second entry in the most anticipated July movie season in recent memory released this week. The first was Jurassic World. Next is Fantastic Four in a couple of weeks. A few of our friends saw the movie in early screenings on Thursday. We waited until yesterday and went as a family. As I watched the movie, I wondered how to frame this Superman (Gunn Version) review.
I considered writing a straight review of the movie. However, that rarely fits with my style. So, I tried to think of other ways to write it. The most obvious, and my final choice, revolves around the “controversies” of the movie. As I wrote on social media earlier in the week. Superman is not woke. You’re just a terrible person.
As much as I hate to platform these Nazi fucks, I feel that it is important to show just how dumb they are. And, people fall into the trap every single time.
Really? Okay, Fine, Let’s Do This
SyderBots vs. James Gunn’s Superman: I saw this one early in the development of the movie. Snyder’s fans came out of the woodwork to bash the casting of David Coronswet. They further went on to say that the movie looked too “cartoony”. It’s a fucking comic book movie, you cretins! They absolutely lost their shit when Krypto showed up on the sneak preview trailer. Look, I hated Snyder’s take on Superman. But, I gave it chance after chance and watched every single one of the movies. Except the Snyder Cut. By that time, they exhausted me and I gave up. I mean, these dudes are just deranged. And, I like the meta commentary of the infinite monkeys in the movie. That’s what I’ll call them from now on.
Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow: Other than the fact that Superman debuted in a country famous for jingoism, I never understood the “American Way” version of the original slogan. Besides, why is the default always the “United States” of America. We named two whole ass continents America. And, even so, they only represent a small fraction of the world population as a whole. So, Superman, a dude who flies around the world and saves everyone equally, now represents that world’s population. The absolute horror. Seriouly, folks, shut off that right wing echo chamber and take a breath.
Note: My SEO addon suggests that I limit my subheadings to less that three hundred words. As a result, I moved this one to its own subheading.
Superman is Woke?
Let’s ignore, for a moment, that the word woke has lost all meaning. The infinite monkeys did what they always do. They co-opted something good and turned it into something bad so that they could relentlessly attack it. I used to joke that “woke” became their new word because they couldn’t use the N-word. It’s not a joke anymore because now they do the same with DEI. I watched the movie. Yes, it leans into the theme of Superman as an immigrant. James Gunn chose that theme to appeal to your empathy. If you can accept Superman, the ultimate illegal immigrant, as a good person, maybe you can apply that empathy to actual living human beings. Human beings that now find themselves being threated with swamps filled with alligators.
I never thought I’d have to say it, but if you’re rooting for people to be eaten by alligators, you’re not a good person. They named the guy who wanted to do that Dr. Evil, for the love of all that is holy. What breaks inside of you that makes you pick on those weaker than you? Why punch down? What gains come from that? Meanwhile, the people who always harm society and the planet continue to commit actual violence against us and our environment. Lex Luthor, the soulless capitalist perverting and exploiting everything to his whims. I know people want to sound smart, by positing “there’s no true good or evil”, but why can’t we agree that the d-bags who hoover up all the money and leave us fighting for scraps probably aren’t the heroes that we make them out to be? I mean, any time something horrible happens, it can always be traced back to them and their decisions.
We Live in Parody
Once upon a time, we considered that so ridiculous that they included it in an Austin Powers movie. Austin Powers is an over the top parody of an already over the top genre. Sorry to explain the joke, but we’ve definitely lost the thread recently.
I never thought I’d see the day when Superman became controversial. Above, I told people to shut off Fox News. At this point, that should just be a given. They paid out numerous fees and penalties. They admitted in a court of law that they qualify as “entertainment” and not “news”. Yet, they continue to break ratings records. Unreal.
Lately, I advocate for kicking everyone off social media for 5 years or so. Give us all time to reset our brains and interact with one another without the algorithm telling us who to hate. Yes, even rich people. Repeatedly, I talk about guillotines or wood chippers. However, if we force rich people to start interacting with poor people, things might change. Get rid of charter schools and make the rich kids come back to public school. Rezone everything for affordable housing and prevent them from owning multiple properties until everyone has a home.
See how quickly they change the rules to better fund public insitutions. Also, require people to vote. As it stands, only the crazies on the right and the centrists have a voice right now. Everyone needs to get out and give their opinions. Restore balance. Otherwise, kiss it all good-bye. We’ve seen this story and it never ends well.
The Verdict – Superman (Gunn Version) Review
The TLDR of my Superman (Gunn Version) Review: I loved it. Christine asked if it was accurate to the comics. I replied, “There’s been 700 different Superman characters, so it’s tough to say.” What I can say is that this version of Superman followed the character the most closely since the Christopher Reeve movies. We don’t need a grittier version of Superman. One, it already exists in at least three forms (Brightburn, Omni Man, and Homelander). Two, Superman represents those things; truth, justice, and a better future. For everyone.
On Wednesday, Quinn, Christine, and I went to see the new entry into the Jurassic Park franchise. I heard both that it was the best movie since the first two and that it was the worst of the sequels. You all know that I like to make my own decisions about popular culture independent of the rage baiting of social media. You also know that I generally find something to enjoy about every creative project. Besides, at the beginning of the movie, I turned to Quinn and said, “32 years ago, I sat in a theater and watched the first movie.” So, the TLDR of it all is that my Jurassic World Rebirth review will be mostly positive. If you’re looking for a miserable take, look elsewhere.
Note: Ratings out of 🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Characters
None of them stand out on their own. They try with a variety of backstories that mostly boil down to a dead friend or colleague haunts them. And, their poverty pushes them into ever more dangerous scenarios. That’s the “professionals”, hired mercenaries to lead an expedition to collect dinosaur DNA that can potentially save millions of lives. At a price, of course. More on that in a minute or so. 🦖🦖
Hot lady mercenary, hot dude mercenary, and hot museum curator.
The movie introduces a family into the dinosaur madness. They’re apparently sailing across part of the ocean to celebrate their daughter’s graduation and acceptance into college. After and encounter with the mosasaur, they get rescued by the mission and become a side plot with some fun scenes. More on that in a bit. Their characters are slightly more fleshed out and show some growth throughout the movie and you genuinely root for them. They write them as obvious protagonists. However, you also cheer for them because you genuinely like them. 🦖🦖🦖🦖
They, too, are all impossibly good looking. I guess ugly people don’t ever have adventures.
Plot
Without giving away too much, it’s what you’d expect. I already covered some of it in the characters section, but here goes more specifics. A mercenary team along with a dinosaur expert travel to a remote area in order to retrieve living dinosaur DNA. They save a family from a dinosaur encounter. When they get to the island, the plot splits them up The mercenaries travel around to collect the samples. The movie gives us a beautiful scene with some Titanosaurus, an absolutely terrifying encounter with avian dinosaurs, and a final encounter with a butt ugly mutant that needs to be put out of its misery.
Meanwhile, the family follow in the footsteps of Grant and the kids from the first movie. More than once, I thought to myself, this is like the first movie. I mean, it makes sense because it’s the same creative team (minus Crichton), but it was still cool. They also get the obligatory T-Rex encounter that I eluded to in the last section. Small predators stalk them in an enclosed space and play no small part in the final show down. In every one of these scenarios, I wanted them to win (except for the very beginning when you are meant to hate the boyfriend).
Overall Plot: 🦖🦖
Themes
The Enshitification of Everything and the Fallout: By the time we get to this movie, people are so used to the dinosaurs that they’ve become a public nuisance. As Quinn put it when we talked about the movie after, it’s a meta commentary on social media and society as a whole. Instead of meeting the movies with awe and wonder, people now just sort of roll their eyes and crap all over the movies because “we’ve seen it all before.” I see this as an extension of the capitalists (more on them in a minute) making everything worse in the name of squeezing every last penny of profit from it. People now just naturally respond to something new with the skepticism that it’s just another ploy to get their money. 🦖🦖
I mean, this scene alone made the movie worth my time. And there are others that are just as cool.
Man vs. Nature: If I remember my high school English courses, this is one of the fundamental conflicts of fiction. Jurassic Park always revolves around this one (and man vs. man, but that’s discussed next) with the caveat that while man can momentarily overcome nature, ultimately nature will win. Its a good reminder for those who think that we can continually abuse our planet and think that there will be no repercussions for it. She’s notices and she won’t forget. 🦖🦖🦖
Science vs. Capitalism: People sometimes talk about how the science goes wrong in Crichton stories. I used to think that, too. Then, I read and argument that the science went right and that capitalism, and that search for endless profit, corrupted the science and caused it to fail. That makes so much more sense in context and they bring this argument back in a big way in this movie. Hell, one of the characters plainly brings this point up to another during a conversation. 🦖🦖🦖🦖
The Verdict (Jurassic World Rebirth Review)
I told you that, even with the minor quibbles I have with the movie, my Jurassic World Rebirth review is full of positivity. Like I said to some guy on the internet ™ on Reddit, all I want from my entertainment is to be entertained. Well, this movie entertained me. Let me know what you all thought in the comments. Maybe we can have a spirited debate. 🦖🦖🦖
