Review of Jurassic Park

Introduction

Steven Spielberg finally gets to remake Jaws, this time with a decent shark. At least that must have been the plan before someone had the bright idea of using dinosaurs instead. What resulted is one of the biggest grossing films and one that is ingrained on the public consciousness.

For those few who missed the simplistic story, here`s a brief précis. John Hammond, wealthy businessman, uses advanced science to use preserved DNA to resurrect the dinosaurs. He establishes an extravagant theme park near Costa Rica to showboat his creations, but an unfortunate accident results in potential legal action. The only way to green light his dream is to get endorsements from recognised palaeontologists. Thus begins Jurassic Park. Two such scientists, Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler agree to examine his ride in exchange for funding. Joining them for the tour are the lawyer and an unconventional mathematician, Ian Malcolm. To complete the dinosaur fodder, two children are added to the menu, Hammond`s own grandchildren, Lex and Timmy. They embark on the automated tour when something inevitably goes wrong and the dinosaurs escape.

Video

The picture (1.85:1 anamorphic) is fine and clear throughout. The picture itself, filmed on location in Hawaii is beautiful, with lush greenery and atmospheric landscapes dominating. The stars of the movies are the dinosaurs and are brilliantly realised. You can`t tell where the CGI ends and the animatronics start, they`re that good.

Audio

The sound is DD 5.1 and is suitably atmospheric and immersive. John Williams provides the music and is alternatively majestic and thrilling in his orchestration.

Features

This film is laden with extras, with pre-production footage, animatics and stills among the obligatory trailers and filmographies. The highlight has to be the 50-minute making of documentary. As presented by James Earl Jones, it`s informative and interesting, very well made and gripping from beginning to end. Special mention must be made of the menus, which are very well designed.

Conclusion

The stars of this movie are definitely the dinosaurs. Any human performances are quite dwarfed by the appearances of these leviathans, but for sake of completeness here goes. Sam Neill and Laura Dern play the two scientists. They inject the right sense of awe and wonder when first confronted with the dinosaurs and provide the audience with the necessary anchor. Laura Dern`s character is otherwise a bit of a blank slate and has little else to do than to react to the situations she finds herself in. Sam Neill on the other hand manages to flesh out a personality for his character and his interaction with the two children provides a pleasant diversion. Richard Attenborough is somewhat lost as John Hammond, it`s unclear whether the character is a greedy malicious businessman, or a doting grandfather. The biggest star, next to the beasts is Ian Malcolm as played by Jeff Goldblum. His portrayal of the off the wall chaotician is inspired and unfortunately his role is secondary to the other characters. No wonder that he starred in the inevitable sequel. Bob Peck plays a Game Warden cum white hunter, his role is so clichéd that his character might as well be called Quint. Samuel L. Jackson appears as an appetiser for a Velociraptor.

Great effects can`t paper over a thin story line, and Jurassic Park is a lightweight and unsatisfying affair. The characters are underdeveloped and play second fiddle to the dinosaurs. Steven Spielberg`s direction is, as usual, inspired but cannot hide the fact that he has very little to work with. The film is laden with every cliché possible and is overlong at 2 hours. The film is the event movie distilled to its basic precepts. It is in effect a thrill ride, with the appearance of a dinosaur constituting the next thrill. But it fails as a thrill ride also as it has the most pathetic ending possible. There is no emotional resonance and no confrontation of Man and Beast. After 2 hours of being hunted by prehistoric recreations, they simply get into the chopper and fly away. What a let down. As worst movie endings go, this one has only been surpassed by Tim Burton`s Planet of the Apes. As a demonstration of CGI technology this film has a place in the history books, and the dinos are great to look at. But that is all.