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Jurassic World’s real legacy: the inflatable T-rex costume

Jurassic World’s real legacy: the inflatable T-rex costume

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Jurassic World is one of the most successful movies in history, but what did it contribute to popular culture? You could make a case for Chris Pratt’s pithy one-liners and Bryce Dallas Howard’s superhuman sprint in heels as moments that nudged the industry yardsticks a few feet backwards. Or you might praise the “Indominus rex,” a movie monster that looks like the Tyrannosaurus rex version of a teen who’s just discovered eyeliner, the Vans Warped Tour, and the Wikipedia page for “anarchy.”

I believe the most important cultural artifact of Jurassic World wasn’t even in the film. I believe it was and still is this T-rex costume.

The inflatable suit is made by Rubies Costume Company, the world’s biggest costume creator. It comes in both child and adult sizes for max goof potential, and oh, what potential there is. The GIF, above, is taken from a video shared on YouTube by Gascon Horsemanship back in February. Gascon Horsemanship has many neat horse videos to share, including someone riding in a Minions costume. T-rex on a horse is, obviously, the page’s masterpiece. Set to the tune of the Jurassic Park theme song, the video is a testament to the power of dumb costumes in everyday situations. I laughed so hard I cried. I laughed so hard that I swallowed my gum, started to choke, and fatalistically wondered if 2016 would literally kill me.

It didn’t and I’m glad — because there are even more T-rex videos to be found online. I couldn’t tell you the basic plot of Jurassic World, but I can rattle off my favorite T-rex costumed stunts since the movie’s release last year. Have you seen the T-rex who dominated American Ninja Warrior? What about this one, who just wants to make it as a ballet dancer? Maybe pole dances, slapfights, or hoverboard riding are what you prefer?

Look, I’m not saying Jurassic World was bad or anything. But be honest, which brings you more joy: Chris Pratt riding a motorcycle with a squad of velociraptors, or this T-rex riding a dirt bike?

I thought so.