The Jurassic Park/World series is a tricky slope to traverse. There are only so many ways to show characters run from snarling, man-eating monsters; and, as we saw in 2018’s misguided Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, only so many ways to plausibly stretch the formula without resorting to buffoonery.
Credit then must be given to the creators of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous for finding exciting new ways to tackle the tried-and-true formula. Make no mistake, the animated Jurassic World remains head and shoulders above its big-screen counterparts; and offers perhaps the most intimate look at the reptilian baddies as seen through the eyes of young, plucky heroes Darius, Yasmina, Brook-Lynne, Kenji, Sammy, and Ben.
Sure, much of the all-new fourth season involves said heroes fleeing the clutches of Tyrannosaurus, Spinosaurus, and other ancient creatures, but each episode offers enough intrigue to keep the whole affair feeling fresh. We learn more about the mysterious Mantah Corp, come face-to-face with new threats — lots of robots! — and characters — notably the earnest and delightfully batty Dr. Turner, a scientist who enjoys her perilous job more than she has any right to — and hurdle over the plot’s numerous (and often contrived) twists and turns.
As stated, one of the best things about Camp Cretaceous is in the ways it presents its dinos. Sure, many of the sharp-toothed predators are little more than snarling, man-eating monsters whose desire for wanton destruction is often hilarious, but the series also takes the time to show the softer side of, say, a T-Rex, who, in one memorable bit, feels remorse for attacking one of its own. Despite their sharp claws and horribly wicked teeth, these dinosaurs are still just simple frightened animals protecting their territory. To its credit, the animated series drives home this particular idea much better than either Jurassic World or Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom did.
RELATED: Jurassic World Dominion Prologue Takes Fans Back 65 Million Years
No, it doesn’t quite offer the narrative thrust (or intrigue) of previous seasons, but there’s plenty to enjoy, even if you’re only here to check out the beautifully rendered monsters.
However, at this point, the dinosaurs, chase scenes, and goofy villains are just window dressing. The meat of Camp Cretaceous, and the reason many fans continue to tune in, remains the delightfully diverse group of characters who make up the series’ core and endure plenty of life-threatening (and, in some cases, psychologically damaging) turmoil all the while evolving as individuals and as a group.
Will Kenji and Brook-Lynne hook up? Will Yasmina overcome her fears to become the hero she clearly wants to be? Will Ben ever get over Bumpy? At this point, if such questions don’t concern you, you’re probably better off skipping Camp Cretaceous Season 4 altogether. However, if you were curious to see how Kenji and Darius’ relationship would pan out after Season 3’s shocking finale, make sure to book a trip to explore this beautifully animated and endlessly entertaining lost world.
SCORED: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: Critic received a screening link for our Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous review.
