Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park

For a certain segment of society, dinosaurs were/are the coolest things in history. They fascinate many because they were powerful and dangerous beings from another era. They were monsters, but most importantly, they were real monsters.

Based on Michael Crichton's novel, Jurassic Park was a fantasy come true for all the Dino-philes of the world. A man has learned to clone dinosaurs based on their DNA being found in blood inside fossilized mosquitos. Never mind trying to figure it out or how accurate any of it may or may not be, just enjoy the ride.

After a slow start, all of the primary characters gather on an island populated by dinosaurs. It is intended to be an amusement park/dinosaur zoo. Some scientists and a couple of children, Tim and his sister Lex, the park's target audience, are given the first tour of the facility to get their endorsement. Of course things go wrong and the dinosaurs end up running amuck, occasionally eating someone.

It takes awhile for things to kick in. At first it seems like we are watching an elementary lesson. Sam Neill, as Dr. Alan Grant, lectures a kid about how dangerous a particular dinosaur is. It is wasted screen time. As soon as we see that particular dinosaur's teeth and claws, we get that they are dangerous. There was no need to explain it.

As soon as Tim sees the vibrations in the glass of water, caused by the T-Rex, the film shifts into high gear and never looks back. There are many moments of tension and excitement. My favorite is when the vehicle, with Tim inside, gets pushed over a cliff and gets stuck in a large tree. Tim and Alan end up having to race the car out of the tree.

The big reason for watching this film is the dinosaurs but Jeff Goldblum is the most entertaining character on screen. He has most of the memorable lines, all sarcastic. After the initial T-Rex attack, he says to Ellie, "Remind me to thank John for a lovely weekend." When riding in the back of a jeep being chased by the T-Rex, he says quietly, "Must go faster."  After they escape the T-Rex, he asks, "You think they'll have that on the tour?"

Jurassic Park could have used a tighter edit and the ending is not as satisfying as it could have been. Still, once that water shakes in the cup, you will find yourself transported to that island and caught up in all the wonder and danger therein.