Dinosaur movies will always be compared to Steven Speilburg’s Jurassic Park, and for good reason. The special effects were outstanding for the time and still hold up some 30+ years later. The same cannot be said for each subsequent entry of Jurassic Park. The stories are less imaginative, the cast has grown to Fast and the Furious proportions, and the movies continue to reuse the same dinosaurs. The franchise has apparently exhausted its list of dinosaurs now relying on hybrid mutants such as the Indominus Rex, Indoraptor, and Distortus Rex.

Primitive War is a whole other breed. If Jurassic Park inspired awe of these larger-than-life animals, then Primitive War displays nature’s savagery.

During the Vietnam War, the Green Berets are attacked by an unseen force. Vulture Company is called in for a search and rescue operation, but the mission parameters change once they discover the threat is prehistoric.

The main problem with monster movies often comes down to how the monster looks. Given this movie doesn’t have the backing of either Universal or Disney, the dinosaurs look good. Director Luke Sparke’s movie is made on a shoestring budget, and Sparke goes for broke not just by presenting dinosaurs in the main set pieces but often during montages that show the various dinosaurs interacting with their environment and the characters. There are some areas that need improvement more than others (namely the aerial and aquatic dinosaurs), but Sparke’s ambition is impressive and so are the results.

Sparke even employs more budgetary tactics to great effect. At one point, Baker (Ryan Kwanten) and Leon (Carlos Sanson Jr.) get separated from the rest of the company. Interspliced between the muzzle flash and gunfire, we see the reflective eyes of the raptors as they watch the humans enter their den. The scene builds tension while also “hiding” the monster in plain sight. The movie “65” was made with less studio money, but studio money, nonetheless. They often didn’t have dinosaurs onscreen and even opted to have a fight completely done as a holographic projection. It was a neat effect, but Primitive War is much more creative and effective with less resources.

The acting required in these movies usually isn’t deep. Often, the characters deliver a dire message, react to the attacking dinosaur, scream, and repeat as needed. However, some of the cast goes all out. Tricia Helfer plays Sofia the Russin paleontologist. She has some of the most ridiculous lines yet delivers them convincingly.

Kwanten as the leader of Vulture Company, is a little stiff to begin with, but he and Helfer play well off each other. His best scene requires him to give a rousing speech to Vulture Company asking them to go above and beyond the call of duty with some humorous albeit realistic responses. Jeremy Piven plays the clichéd Colonel, but his over the top performance is so enjoyable. Think if Entourage’s Ari Gold commanded the military. The members of Vulture Company have such great banter. Especially Anthony Ingruber’s Keyes who has all the charisma of Sam Rockwell.

The action is great, the drama can be melodramatic, and the story escalates in some of the craziest ways – that should be read as a compliment. Primitive War delivers no matter what kind of movie it’s mimicking. The major studios would be wise to consider sparing no expense to ensure Sparke gets to make the sequel he wants. The results could not only rival the Jurassic Park franchise, but it could also result in its extinction.

Rating: 4.5/5.

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The writer of this piece is: Laurence Almalvez
Laurence tweets from @IL1511

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