Jurassic World
Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond.
Despite a enormous budget of $150.0M, Jurassic World became a commercial juggernaut, earning $1671.5M worldwide—a remarkable 1014% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, proving that audiences embrace innovative storytelling even at blockbuster scale.
15 wins & 58 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Jurassic World (2015) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Colin Trevorrow's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young brothers Zach and Gray are sent off to visit their Aunt Claire at Jurassic World, establishing their family dynamic and the boys' excitement for adventure while their parents deal with marital problems.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Claire takes Owen to inspect the Indominus Rex paddock for vulnerabilities. Owen warns that the animal was raised in isolation without social structure and is extremely dangerous - a ticking time bomb that will disrupt everything.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Claire realizes her nephews are in the Gyrosphere zone where the I-Rex is headed. She actively chooses to leave operations and go into the field with Owen to find the boys, leaving her controlled corporate world behind., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The raptors fully turn on Owen and the team. Charlie (raptor) is killed by a rocket launcher. Owen's years of relationship-building with the raptors appears destroyed. Multiple mercenaries die. All human plans have failed - the I-Rex has won, and nature cannot be controlled., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Claire lures the T-Rex out using a flare, just like the original park. The T-Rex battles the I-Rex on Main Street. Owen re-establishes his bond with Blue (raptor), who joins the fight. The Mosasaurus delivers the final blow, dragging the I-Rex underwater. The raptors choose Owen and leave peacefully. Survivors are evacuated. The park is abandoned., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jurassic World's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Jurassic World against these established plot points, we can identify how Colin Trevorrow utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jurassic World within the action genre.
Colin Trevorrow's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Colin Trevorrow films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jurassic World takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Colin Trevorrow filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Colin Trevorrow analyses, see Safety Not Guaranteed, The Book of Henry and Jurassic World Dominion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young brothers Zach and Gray are sent off to visit their Aunt Claire at Jurassic World, establishing their family dynamic and the boys' excitement for adventure while their parents deal with marital problems.
Theme
Masrani tells Claire that the dinosaurs should be viewed with "respect" not as "assets." He warns that creating the Indominus Rex for corporate sponsorship is dangerous - the theme of respecting nature vs. exploiting it for profit.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jurassic World as a fully operational theme park with 20,000 visitors. Claire is established as a control-obsessed operations manager treating dinosaurs as assets. Owen is introduced as a velociraptor trainer who respects the animals. The Indominus Rex is revealed as a genetic hybrid created to boost attendance.
Disruption
Claire takes Owen to inspect the Indominus Rex paddock for vulnerabilities. Owen warns that the animal was raised in isolation without social structure and is extremely dangerous - a ticking time bomb that will disrupt everything.
Resistance
Owen evaluates the I-Rex enclosure and warns it's too intelligent and dangerous. The dinosaur tricks the handlers by hiding using camouflage and thermal masking. The I-Rex escapes, killing workers. Owen debates with Claire about shutting down the park vs. containing the situation quietly. InGen's Hoskins sees opportunity to weaponize raptors.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Claire realizes her nephews are in the Gyrosphere zone where the I-Rex is headed. She actively chooses to leave operations and go into the field with Owen to find the boys, leaving her controlled corporate world behind.
Premise
The fun premise: dinosaurs loose in an active theme park. The I-Rex hunts for sport, killing other dinosaurs. Zach and Gray escape their handler, go off-road in the Gyrosphere, and encounter the I-Rex in spectacular combat with herbivores. They barely escape by jumping off a waterfall. Claire and Owen track them through the restricted areas, finding the old Jurassic Park visitor center where the boys have taken shelter.
Opposition
Masrani's helicopter is destroyed by Pteranodons released by the I-Rex; he dies in the crash. The Pteranodons attack Main Street, creating chaos among 20,000 guests. Hoskins takes command and forces Owen to use the raptors to hunt the I-Rex. The raptor mission initially works, but the I-Rex communicates with the raptors and turns them against the humans. Owen's bond with the raptors is broken. InGen mercenaries are killed.
Collapse
The raptors fully turn on Owen and the team. Charlie (raptor) is killed by a rocket launcher. Owen's years of relationship-building with the raptors appears destroyed. Multiple mercenaries die. All human plans have failed - the I-Rex has won, and nature cannot be controlled.
Crisis
Owen, Claire, and the boys retreat to the genetic lab. They confront Hoskins about weaponizing dinosaurs. The raptor Delta kills Hoskins - nature's judgment on exploitation. Owen processes the loss of his raptor connection. Claire recognizes her emotional growth, prioritizing her nephews over corporate interests.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Claire lures the T-Rex out using a flare, just like the original park. The T-Rex battles the I-Rex on Main Street. Owen re-establishes his bond with Blue (raptor), who joins the fight. The Mosasaurus delivers the final blow, dragging the I-Rex underwater. The raptors choose Owen and leave peacefully. Survivors are evacuated. The park is abandoned.