【Nikki Nova Archives】

Camp Cretaceous Season 1 was pretty good. The Nikki Nova Archivesanimated Jurassic Worldseries, which kicked off on Netflix last September, has a lucky group of teenagers trying out a new adventure camp on Isla Nublar before it opens up to the public. However, after the dinosaurs get loose and the campers get separated from their counselors, the gang is forced to survive while they search for a way off the island.

This time around, the plot — now with a clear trajectory — takes hold.

The opening season thrived on its fun setting and just-scary-enough action, however, many of the characters felt especially geared toward a young crowd. It is a kid show, after all, so it should be expected. But what's better about Season 2 is that even though the same teens are navigating the dangers of the jungle, this time around, the plot — now with a clear trajectory — takes hold.

Whereas the dinosaurs didn't even break free until mid-way through Season 1, the second season presents teens Darius (Paul-Mike’l Williams), Yaz (Kausar Mohammed), Brooklynn (Jenna Ortega), Kenji (Ryan Potter), and Sammy (Raini Rodriguez) with a goal right from the start: to stay alive until someone comes to save them.

At the end of the first season, the group arrived at the site of the rescue boat only to find that it had left without them. But surviving on the dangerous island for even longer proves to be a challenge because, from the opening moments of Season 2, they're forced to run from a terrifying dinosaur. This sets the tone for the rest of the season that — while not without its quieter, more reflective moments — is plenty exciting.

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Camp Cretaceous Season 2 Dinosaur Credit: Netflix

The first few episodes have the friends figuring out how to make it on their own. What can they do for shelter? Where can they find water? And how can they avoid the dinos in the meantime? Episode 4 is when things start to get more interesting. A few eco-tourists arrive on the island to photograph the dinosaurs, but Brooklynn is suspicious they're not as friendly as they seem.

Its narrative is driven forward by growing tension.

These tourists, Tiff (Stephanie Beatriz), Hap (Angus Sampson), and Mitch (Bradley Whitford) are substitutes for Season 1's now-absent camp counselors Roxie (Jameela Jamil) and Dave (Glen Powell). They're a welcome replacement, however, as they freshen up the story and add interest to a plot that otherwise could have easily fallen into the pattern of Season 1. Without spoiling too much, I can say that yes, their arrival stirs upa lot of trouble.

While I overall liked Season 2 and its continuing sense of adventure, it still has its share of flaws. Most notably, there's one episode focused on a single character who gets separated from the group that feels largely unnecessary. It doesn't build upon the plot in any meaningful way and is hard to care about because it's disconnected from the main story.

But even with this, if you liked Season 1, you'll probably also enjoy Season 2. Its narrative is driven forward by growing tension and it's funny; though its campers have stock-character personalities, they're better utilized by more fully focusing on their mission this time around. Ready to keep the adventure going?

How to watch: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

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