If Apocalypse Now and Jurassic Park had a baby, you'd get Primitive War and that sentence alone is baffling enough to turn heads. A movie like this can go one of two ways: ridiculously stupid or surprisingly epic. To my surprise, it succeeds in most areas, despite a few rough edges.
The biggest strength lies in the direction. The cinematography and lighting are often stunning, creating an immersive atmosphere that fits the story perfectly. The camera work feels deliberate and engaging, pulling you into the chaos of the jungle. On top of that, the dinosaurs look fantastic. The inclusion of feathers was a great detail, and the CGI was convincing enough to make the creatures feel genuinely dangerous especially the raptors, who were easily the highlight.
The plot itself is simple, almost reminiscent of The Mist with its "experiments gone wrong" premise. I appreciated that the film didn't overcomplicate things and instead leaned into a straightforward survival story. However, the screenplay was definitely the weakest element. The dialogue often felt clunky and occasionally cringe worthy. The constant one-liners undercut the tension, and I wish the characters had approached their dire situation with a bit more seriousness.
As for pacing, the runtime felt justified and never dragged. That said, the ending went a little too far. I was already suspending disbelief for the story, but the final act with its slow-motion sequences and over-the-top carnage pushed things past the point of plausibility.
Overall, Primitive War is a ridiculously fun ride with strong direction, great cinematography, and some memorable dinosaur moments. It's not without flaws, the dialogue and ending drag it down but when the movie is firing on all cylinders, its no doubt epic.
