Season Review: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 3

 

 

Overview:

After the disaster that was Jurassic World, six young adventurers remained stranded on the island of Isla Nublar. They managed to sustain themselves and build a raft that would get them to the safety of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, they did not make it far.

Once again, stranded with no way off of Isla Nublar, the six adolescents reassess their situation. Thankfully, with a master key now in hand, the group is able to procure a yacht and the equipment that they need to survive the long trip.

Unfortunately, the discovery of another hybrid dinosaur created by Dr. Wu makes their escape more pressing and more difficult. And if they care about the other dinosaurs of Jurassic World, they are going to have to stop this new dominant threat while assuring that its secrets do not make it off the island.

 

Our Take:

It is easy to dismiss Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous as another children’s program capitalizing on the popularity of an established franchise. However, as the series enters its third season it has slowly established itself as something more. Aside from some clever character writing for a dynamic group of teenagers, Camp Cretaceous has built upon the growing lore that the films have established for the franchise.

Much in the same way that the Star Wars animated series have helped to build that universe, Camp Cretaceous fills in some of the gaps for the Jurassic franchise. Much of the first season takes place simultaneously with the first Jurassic World film. In fact, it is realistic to assume that six of the million people on the island during its evacuation could be left behind. And this series helps to fill some of the gaps between the latest two features of the franchise.

Season three kicks off in much of the same tone that was established during the show’s first two seasons. There is a lot of wonder, exploration, and character development. The first few episodes put more focus on relationship dynamics than it does on dinosaurs. 

Thankfully, the stakes and action ramp up quickly.

The episode “Clever Girl” gives this series a significant step forward while also blending aspects of the original trilogy and newer features. Unexpectedly, the sextet of teens discover the original Jurassic Park visitor centre, complete with scars left from the 1993 film. Additionally, this episode features a couple of surprise appearances. Included is the semi-tamed velociraptor from the Jurassic World films, Blue.

But the biggest ground shaking reappearance is the ongoing lead doctor of genetic research for Jurassic theme parks, Dr. Wu. Probably the biggest connecting thread of the franchise, the doctor plays a significant role in establishing the island and reinventing it for the next generation. 

More relevant, his research continues to create problems for the Isla Nublar with another hybrid dinosaur. The predecessor to Indominus Rex, the Scorpius Rex is more unstable and violent than any other creature on the island.

Season three seems to push the story of Camp Cretaceous as far as it can go. Not only have the kids become master survivalists on the world’s most dangerous island, but they have also done their part in protecting it. 

By the conclusion of the season, the teens are on their way to safety wrapping up their six months alone on Isla Nublar. Though, this does not mean that the series must end. A new season could take on new and different stakes but would need to be inventive to get these characters back in harm’s way.

There are not many die-hard Jurassic fans compared to other franchises with animated spin-offs. However, it’s not because the dinosaur focused collection is not worth it. Regardless, Camp Cretaceous is adding to the lore in significant ways while holding on to strong storytelling. Additionally, this show pushes the boundaries as a children’s program, often showing violence, danger, and death. It puts the animated series in a strange spot for a larger audience, though it could be recommended as a family watch.

For those that do find themselves exploring the further adventures on Isla Nublar, this series packs some pleasant surprises. The three seasons work together in slowly raising the stakes and climaxing with a prominent story. And the connections to the rest of the franchise help to solidify the show as more than just a cash grab on an established franchise. The third season gave everything it needed and more helping to make this franchise stronger than when the animated series started.