Jurassic World: Rebirth does an interesting thing in that it stretches two storylines and interweaves them as much as possible. While having opposing plotlines is not unusual, whether intentionally or not, the new Jurassic Park is almost two movies in one.
The through-line, of course, is dinosaurs. Without those animals, neither storyline can exist. The first, consisting of Scarlett Johansson's Zora Bennett and Mahershala Ali's Duncan Kincaid, is a group sent to help extract some dino DNA. The other group is arguably more interesting and includes the breakout character.
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo might be a familiar face to some. He plays Mickey Haller as the lead on Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer. You might also remember him from a couple of Tom Hanks flicks, A Man Called Otto and Greyhound. You will definitely remember him from Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Garcia-Rulfo plays Reuben Delgado, a father of two who is attempting to take a cross-ocean voyage in a smallish boat with his daughters. Also in tow is the oldest daughter's boyfriend, Xavier. Xavier is, as one would expect, a bit of a lazy thorn in Reuben's side at the beginning of the film.
While on their trip across the ocean, the group is capsized by a Mosasaur and needs to be rescued. This is not so much of a spoiler alert as a necessary presumption. Why show the family in the boat if they aren't going to end up on the same island as the scientists, right?
After being rescued by said scientists, that boat is also toppled by the same bothersome Mosasaur and everyone is forced to swim for their lives (well, most everyone) to reach the island that holds the land-roving dinosaurs.
Here is where Garcia-Rulfo's Reuben shines best. He not only has to try to lead his family to a safe place (that isn't overly safe, it turns out), but he has to find a way to be OK with Xavier. In a lesser actor's hands, Reuben could be viewed as constantly chastising Xavier and eternally disliking him. Instead, Garcia-Rulfo finds the nuance the role needs.
He not only learns how to talk with Xavier, but throughout the family's trek from shore to safe harbor, Reuben becomes the father figure the emotionally lost Xavier seemingly never had. Reuben senses Xavier's humanity, but at the same time, is always the perfect father to his two daughters.
The role is touching, and one reason the film has received an ovation in many theaters. Oh, and Johansson and Ali are excellent, too, of course. Let's just hope that Garcia-Rulfo's star turn helps him find award-worthy roles soon.
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