There are few cinematic experiences that I can vividly recall even now, 22 years later. It was one that I looked forward to with fevered anticipation and even went so far as to more or less invite myself along to go see it with friends. I saw it on opening night with my friend Jessica, our friend Anne, and her parents at the Mall of America theatres. I was riveted to the screen for the entirety of the two hours of film. I couldn't help but love every minute. The film remains one of my all time favorites.
The film, for the few of you have been living under a rock, takes place at a theme park populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs on an island off the coast of Costa Rica. A select few guests invited to preview the new park, in part to alleviate investor concerns about the safety of the Park. They include a Paleontologist Alan Grant (played by Sam Neill), a Paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (played by Laura Dern) and a Mathematician Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) to tour the establishment with their owner John Hammond (played by Richard Attenborough). Also along for the ride is Hammond's slimey lawyer Gennarro (played by Martin Ferrero). Also along for the tour are Hammond's young grandchildren Lex (played by Ariana Richards) and Tim (played by Joseph Mazzello.
Meanwhile, the park's computer technician, Dennis Nedry is plotting to steal dinosaur embryos for a rival company and has embedded a virus in the system to shut down the electric fences so he can make a break for the docks and get off the island with the embryos. Needless to say, because of this all hell breaks loose as the dinosaurs get loose and start eating the tourists.
The film is directed perfectly by Steven Spielberg who finds a perfect balance between the magic and wonder of seeing actual, living breathing dinosaurs as well as the heartstopping thrills once everything goes to hell and the transition between the two sides are nearly seamless as it moves from one to the other. One moment we are utterly enchanted as Ellie and Alan look over a sick Triceratops and then a few moments later on the edge of our seats as we watch the T Rex make his grand entrance and begin attacking the tour vehicles that she has mistaken for a tasty snack. Spielberg was also wise to keep the true villains of the film, the Velociraptors, hidden for the better part of the movie so that when they do finally appear, not unlike a certain moment in another Spielberg film, Jaws, it's all that much more shocking.
The film, for the few of you have been living under a rock, takes place at a theme park populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs on an island off the coast of Costa Rica. A select few guests invited to preview the new park, in part to alleviate investor concerns about the safety of the Park. They include a Paleontologist Alan Grant (played by Sam Neill), a Paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (played by Laura Dern) and a Mathematician Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) to tour the establishment with their owner John Hammond (played by Richard Attenborough). Also along for the ride is Hammond's slimey lawyer Gennarro (played by Martin Ferrero). Also along for the tour are Hammond's young grandchildren Lex (played by Ariana Richards) and Tim (played by Joseph Mazzello.
Meanwhile, the park's computer technician, Dennis Nedry is plotting to steal dinosaur embryos for a rival company and has embedded a virus in the system to shut down the electric fences so he can make a break for the docks and get off the island with the embryos. Needless to say, because of this all hell breaks loose as the dinosaurs get loose and start eating the tourists.
The film is directed perfectly by Steven Spielberg who finds a perfect balance between the magic and wonder of seeing actual, living breathing dinosaurs as well as the heartstopping thrills once everything goes to hell and the transition between the two sides are nearly seamless as it moves from one to the other. One moment we are utterly enchanted as Ellie and Alan look over a sick Triceratops and then a few moments later on the edge of our seats as we watch the T Rex make his grand entrance and begin attacking the tour vehicles that she has mistaken for a tasty snack. Spielberg was also wise to keep the true villains of the film, the Velociraptors, hidden for the better part of the movie so that when they do finally appear, not unlike a certain moment in another Spielberg film, Jaws, it's all that much more shocking.
The film is based on the novel by Michael Crichton and the screenplay is written by Crichton and David Koepp. The film does a good job with condensing the book down to something that was manageable and able to be filmed in 1993. Also, much like he did with Jaws, Spielberg tweaked the characters to make them more likable, especially Hammond. I know some fans of the original novel were disappointed it wasn't a more literal adaptation, but some of the more memorable sequences would show up in the sequels, especially Jurassic Park III.
The casting is also damn near perfect with both Neill and Dern making likeable main heroes while Attenborough playing Hammond as a sweet natured, if dangerously naive businessman. But special notice has to be made to Jeff Goldblum who manages to steal every single scene he is in and make it look effortless. It probably helps that his character has damn near all the best lines of the film.
I also have to give notice to John Williams' iconic score for the film. There are two things I think of when I hear the main theme. One is the movie, of course, but the second is Junior and Senior High School. I heard the main theme from this movie emanating from the band rooms with such regularity that it is ingrained in there as a bonafide public school memory.
Overall, Jurassic Park remains one of the best cinema experiences I have ever had and it continues to hold up on the small screen as well for the countless times I've seen it on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray. I've seen it hundreds of times and it still holds the same magic, wonder and suspense for me, which is no easy task.
I also have to give notice to John Williams' iconic score for the film. There are two things I think of when I hear the main theme. One is the movie, of course, but the second is Junior and Senior High School. I heard the main theme from this movie emanating from the band rooms with such regularity that it is ingrained in there as a bonafide public school memory.
Overall, Jurassic Park remains one of the best cinema experiences I have ever had and it continues to hold up on the small screen as well for the countless times I've seen it on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray. I've seen it hundreds of times and it still holds the same magic, wonder and suspense for me, which is no easy task.
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