Early reactions to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom surface online following the premiere screening in Madrid, Spain this week, and they largely praise the sequel directed by J.A. Bayona. In 2015, Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World brought movie audiences back to a modern day world in which dinosaurs exist. The franchise kicked off with Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in 1993, and Jurassic World was a continuation of the original (ignoring the two sequels that already existed). However, with Jurassic World garnering solid reviews and earning over $1.6 billion at the worldwide box office, it became a success in its own right.

The sequel is set to hit theaters this summer, though Trevorrow stepped down as director. Instead, Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona directed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, from a script by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. The sequel sees the return of Jurassic World protagonists Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) as they work to protect the dinosaurs of the failed theme park - not only from a volcano, but from unscrupulous businessmen intent on selling the creatures on the black market. Now that the movie has screened for fans and press at the premiere in Madrid, the first reactions have surfaced.

For the most part, the early reactions praise Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom as a solid entry in the Jurassic Park franchise, even with high expectations placed on the sequel. Unsurprisingly, many especially applaud the work of Bayona, who effectively captures the horror tone of the Jurassic World sequel. However, one viewer tempered expectations, conveying that Fallen Kingdom may be a good Hollywood blockbuster, but is a disappointment as a Bayona film, indicating the director’s most dedicated fans may not enjoy Universal’s franchise sequel. Take a look at some of the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom early reactions below.

Iñaki Oyarzun said the film was “F-CKING INCREÍBLE” and thanked Bayona for “this marvel.”

Jose said the movie “managed to surpass my expectations” and has the best opening sequence of any movie in the saga.

Adolfo Rodríguez said the sequel is “the continuation the saga deserves” and teases that “what is to come is going to be BRUTAL.”

Juan Manuel Toribio said Fallen Kingdom raises “several very interesting social/moral debates” but that it’s disappointing as a Bayona film, with “few surprises.”

Rodrigo Cortés called the Jurassic World sequel a “fast-paced rollercoaster” with “bold moments” and praised Bayona’s work on the project.

Kajal praised the film simply by offering Bayona congratulations and saying “you’ve outdone yourself.”

Jack Anthony Ewins applauded Bayona’s demonstration of “perfect visual storytelling” in Fallen Kingdom.

Josep Parera Jorba revealed he saw the film twice in 12 hours - hinting at that being an indication of how much he liked Fallen Kingdom - and posted a video of the crowd giving the filmmakers a standing ovation.

According to the reactions, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom also received a 10-minute standing ovation at the end of the screening. While standing ovations aren’t necessarily the best indicators of whether a film will be successful among casual moviegoers, the enthusiasm for Fallen Kingdom at its Madrid premiere should certainly get fans even more hyped for its worldwide release. Unfortunately, fans in the United States will need to wait a month before the movie hits theaters, but international fans will get a chance to see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom much earlier.

With that said, as the movie’s release date gets closer, Universal will ramp up promotion of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. That includes lifting the film’s review embargo, and once reviews drop, fans will know more about what to expect from the movie. Whether or not the Jurassic World sequel can live up to, or surpass, its predecessor, or offer a solid installment in the Jurassic Park franchise remains to be seen. But with the movie hitting theaters next month, it won’t be long before fans can see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom for themselves.

Next: Every Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Update You Need To Know

Source: Various (see above)

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