WARNING: The following article contains moments from the first season of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. We recommend clicking off this article if you have yet to watch the first season.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous has finally arrived on Netflix – providing us with our next dinosaur-induced trip onto the island of Isla Nublar. Whilst we have already reviewed the series in a non-spoiler format, we wanted to take the time to share some of our favourite moments in the show – going more in depth on why these moments are so great, and what they mean for the overarching series as a whole.
Some of the moments in this article are inspired by our spoiler Episode, which you can listen to here. Bear in mind that these are some of my favourite moments, so if yours are different, then I would love to hear them in the comments below!
5 – Visiting Another One of Dr Wu’s Secret Labs
I think it is safe to say that all of us were expecting some characters from the pre-existing Movie universe to make an appearance in Camp Cretaceous – and the only main appearance comes in the form of Dr Wu, who we see in Episode Two of the series. I love the way the Dr is represented here – with a somewhat self-indulgent attitude which lends itself nicely to the characters traits we can see in BD Wong’s portrayal in the later films.
Not only does Wu have a really cool sequence here, but the laboratory sequence introduces some really cool moments – including a nod to some Mammoth Remains, which confirms the existence of InGen’s Martel Facility. There are some really nice moments speckled throughout our time in the lab, from Bumpy’s asymmetric growth indicating that the Scientists do not really have full control, to a quick glimpse at the Spinosaurus suggesting that it may have, in fact, been a Hybrid after all. All of this lends itself nicely to the pre-existing lore built around the Masrani Backdoor, and certainly pays off well for fans who have taken the time to invest themselves in the wider universe.
4 – The Parasaurolophus Encounter
The encounter with the Parasaurolophus that the kids have whilst on the River Adventure in Episode Six is one of my favourite sequences of the entire first season because it reminds us how unpredictable these animals can be. What starts off as a relatively calm and gentle moment – complete with a wondrous, and frankly, perfect score – quickly turns into a nightmarish sequence as the kayaks the kids are in are bumped and thrust from side to side.
I also love the inclusion of the bioluminescence here. Not only is this a fun nod to the Live Tour and the idea of the night parade which is mentioned within the confines of the show, but it is also a fun way of showing how Dr Wu has continued to experiment with the genetics of the Dinosaurs. Not happy with just creating hybrids, he continues to experiment with even some of the basic attractions of the park – yielding interesting results.
3 - Sinoceratops In The Mud
The Sinoceratops Mud sequence in Episode Three is another fantastic sequence which helps to provide some insight into what the Rangers and Asset Containment Personnel of Jurassic World may have had to deal with on a daily basis. The premise of a ‘cattle drive’ into more secure enclosures is a really fun one – and ties in nicely to the idea that part of the daily job at Jurassic World was transferring Dinosaurs between paddocks.
I also love the fact that this sequence serves to remind us that animals like the Sinoceratops are still dangerous in their own right. The Sinoceratops manages to move the entire weight of the Gyrosphere with its horn – emphasising just how strong this herbivore is. I also loved the more gentler moment where Sami gets to connect with the creature – as the cinematography used really echoed moments in Fallen Kingdom between Owen and Blue.
I loved the addition of this new Herbivore in JWFK, and am really glad that the writers behind the show opted to give us more time with it here.
2 – The Monorail Attack
The Monorail Attack sequence in Episode Seven is a really good example of a high-stakes set piece for a Jurassic franchise piece – where our main characters have to do something which could potentially have mortally endangering consequences. I love how the writers were able to find a way to incorporate the Monorail in an action sequence which genuinely felt engaging – with real and emotional stakes at play.
I especially love how light and dark is used as a part of the cinematography work here. The flashlights from the Monorail illuminating the Pteranodons as they attempt to pierce the windows really adds a horror vibe to this sequence – and echoes back to some of the darker moments we see set during the night time in the original Jurassic Park trilogy. This is a un-apologetically Jurassic sequence at its finest, and I really love this moment for that.
1 – The Demon Carnotaurus
My favourite moment has to be at the very end of the Episode Eight – when Toro is revealed again following the explosion which shakes the maintenance area the kids have found themselves stranded in. As the smoke and rubble clears, and we see a battered and bruised Toro rise from the ashes, we get to see that the Carnotaurus has been blackened and burned – taking on a new appearance.
This is, in my opinion, a direct nod to the fan-dubbed ‘Demon Carnotaurus’ we see at the end of Fallen Kingdom in Lockwood Manor – who features a similar rusty brown and black colour scheme not too dis-similar from Toro’s appearance post-explosion. I would not be surprised if this turns out to be the same dinosaur – which has interesting implications for Jurassic World Dominion as this means that some of the assets which InGen tagged as the ‘most aggressive’ are now out in the wild.
That’s it for this breakdown – I am so excited to finally be able to talk about Camp Cretaceous with you all! Let us know your favourite moments in the comments below, and stay tuned for episode-by-episode breakdowns coming to The Jurassic Park Podcast very, very soon!
Written by:
Tom Fishenden