Thescreescore – Jurassic World: Rebirth director Gareth Edwards recently revealed the surprisingly insightful feedback he received from Steven Spielberg, the legendary director of the original Jurassic Park. Edwards recounted the nail-biting anticipation of awaiting Spielberg’s verdict on his latest dino-epic, a feeling he described as both a lifelong dream and a terrifying nightmare. The director admitted to the initial, almost instinctive, defensiveness that arises when receiving notes, but Spielberg’s unparalleled legacy quickly quelled any such resistance. Edwards humbly confessed, "With Steven, if you go, ‘What have you done?’ the answer is, every masterpiece you’ve ever loved."
Spielberg’s critique wasn’t just about technicalities; it offered a profound philosophical insight into filmmaking. He likened directing a cinematic experience to culinary artistry, emphasizing the crucial element of leaving the audience wanting more. "Making a film for the cinema," Spielberg advised, "is like being a chef and making a meal. The only difference is that when you’re a chef for the cinema, the audience has to leave hungry. If they leave full, you’ve kind of failed."
This counter-intuitive advice resonated deeply with Edwards, forcing him to reconsider the conventional approach of aiming for immediate audience gratification. It challenged the instinct to solely focus on pleasing test audiences, instead advocating for the creation of anticipation and a lingering desire for more. The director readily admitted the wisdom of Spielberg’s words, stating, "It was an interesting thing, because it goes against your instincts…But it’s about creating anticipation and surprise."
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Despite Spielberg’s guidance, Jurassic World: Rebirth hasn’t quite achieved critical consensus. While projected for a strong opening weekend, its CinemaScore of B- and mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (51% critics, 72% audience) suggest a less-than-stellar reception. This lukewarm response places it amongst the franchise’s lower-performing installments, raising questions about whether Edwards successfully executed Spielberg’s "leave them hungry" strategy. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes has also drawn criticism.
However, the franchise’s remarkable resilience shouldn’t be underestimated. Even Jurassic World Dominion, despite its overwhelmingly negative reviews, still raked in over a billion dollars. While Rebirth may not reach those heights, its box office success seems almost guaranteed. The question remains: will this latest installment reignite the franchise’s former glory, or will it continue the trend of falling short of the original’s iconic status? Only time will tell if the "hungry" audience will return for another helping. Source: SyFy.
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