After months of waiting for Primitive War to hit streaming, I finally snagged it on Prime Video for $4.99. As a massive dinosaur and military enthusiast, I had high hopes for this adaptation of Ethan Pettus’s cult-favorite series. While the movie definitely delivers on the prehistoric carnage, the human element is a bit of a mixed bag.
The Good: Feathers and Fangs
I went in expecting “B-movie” CGI, but I was pleasantly surprised. Director Luke Sparke clearly prioritized the creature effects. The dinosaurs look fantastic—no janky movements or blurring in sight. Huge props for including feathers on the raptors; it’s a scientifically accurate touch that usually gets ignored in Hollywood.
The Bad: Lost in Translation
The biggest problem? The dialogue. I almost turned the movie off after 20 minutes. Why? Nearly every time an actor speaks, it sounds incredibly forced. Then there’s the relentless barrage of military jargon and shorthand. Even coming from a military family with an interest in military history, I found myself scratching my head at times. It felt like the movie was trying way too hard to prove its “Vietnam War” credentials.
Also, having all the Russian characters speak to each other in English with some terrible accents was also distracting. It may be a “petty” gripe, but it took me out of the moment again and again.
The Verdict
Despite the thin character development and the clunky script, the action is pretty top-tier, and the dinosaurs are cool. If you can look past the dialogue, it’s a fun, action-packed ride. Grab some popcorn and give it a watch on Prime.
