Revisiting Jurassic Park
Ask anyone who knows me about my fondness and utter boyhood joy for movies and most likely you’ll begin to piece together personal fragments that ultimately led to the person I am today.
Like Michael, I’m like a kid in a candy store — gnawing on an enormous Gobstopper — when it comes to watching movies, especially those rare cinematic experiences where you feel as if you’re a part of what’s occuring on screen.
There are very few movies that have immersed me in such a vivid manner that when I’m amongst the audience I forget about reality until the credits appear on screen. One such movie, which debuted in the early 90s, totally captivated me at the time as well as reminded me what a good movie could be.
Several months prior to the official opening of the movie I can remember strolling past the cardboard display, a medium-sized advertisement with a jeep and the words “Jurassic Park: An Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making”.
At the time, my brother and I stopped dead in our tracks and just examined the advertisement wondering to ourselves whether or not it was a dinosaur movie or a cheesy horror flick. Despite our attempts to figure out what the movie was about, I do remember thinking that the logo was fantastic, a silohuette of a dinosaur on a blood red background with huge bold letters, that alone guaranteed our prescence at the film’s release.
However, there was one tiny detail I had initially overlooked upon first glancing at the cardboard stand, that Jurassic Park was not only going to be a movie about dinosaurs, but that Steven Spielberg was directing. I decided then and there, without a moment’s hesitation, that I was going to see this movie, no matter what.
After doing some more research on the film, which if I remember correctly, consisted of watching every entertainment medium that I could, it was revealed that not only was this going to be a movie about dinosaurs, it was going to be about a “dinosaur amusement park”. In my opinion, mixing giant reptiles of the past with Disneyland seemed like a superb idea.
Having no prior knowledge of the book I decided to purchase it and read it before the movie, something I try to avoid since they rarely ever compliment eachother. A few chapters into Jurassic Park my eyes glazed over and I tossed the book aside in disbelief and frankly disappointment, mainly because of the long passages of text dealing strictly with medical terminology and the fact that the story itself dragged on.
Luckily, Steven Spielberg and crew took creative liberties with the story, something I was happy with considering the original storyline, while similar and I suppose appealing to some readers, wasn’t exactly “adventure” material (years later I would end up changing my mind, after reading the book cover-to-cover).
The movie Jurassic Park, unlike it’s book counterpart, was simply one of the most energetic and visually mind-blowing cinematic experiences since Star Wars. The breakthrough CGI, bringing to life dinosaurs you could only imagine beforehand, made these dinosaurs seem lifelike and in some instances downright horrific, especially the T-Rex and Raptors.
Almost 13 years later, I’ve since revisited Jurassic Park, having watched the DVD and airings of the movie on television and I’m still captivated by it. The performances are and characters themselves are stellar, especially that of Ian Malcolm as played by Jeff “The Fly” Goldblum. He plays the neurotic, know-it-all character in many films and pulls it off particularly well in JP. The special effects, which were pinnacle at the time, still remain convincing and dramatic.
Jurassic Park is and was truly one of the most fulfilling movie experiences that I’ve ever witnessed and because of the amount of detail and the thrilling aspects to the film it’ll always remain a classic, earning its spot next to other wonderful movies that will be watched and remembered by generations to come, mark my word.
12 Comments, Comment or Ping
Colin D. Devroe
On the contrary, Jurassic Park is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
Feb 3rd, 2006
Simon Jessey
I remember when I first went to see Jurassic Park. I saw it at the Empire Cinema in London’s Leicester Square, so I got the whole “laser show, reclining seats, THX” experience. I walked out of the theatre absolutely speechless - the special effects represented such an enormous leap forward in realism that I was utterly dumbfounded.
After gathering my thoughts, I began to remember minor details that irritated me. The kids were annoying, as was the “it’s a UNIX system” bullshit. Richard Attenborough’s iffy Scottish accent seemed pointless - it would’ve been fine if he’d just used his regular voice.
Actually, my favorite scene in the entire franchise is from the second movie. Malcolm, Sarah, and Kelly are hanging over the edge of a cliff. Eddie shouts down “do you need anything else?” and receives the reply “a cheeseburger…with fries…and a large Pepsi…no onions on that” (or something like that, anyway).
Feb 3rd, 2006
Kathan
Oh Jurassic Park, I’m getting nostalgic.. I still get the chills during the jeep scene at the begining when they pull up and it’s that large field with the lake crawling with dinosaurs. God that was intense. Now I have to go and watch the movie again!
Feb 3rd, 2006
Colin D. Devroe
Simon: I too remember the day I went to see it. My entire family had read the book, including the extended members that married my sisters. So there was probably 12 to 15 of us walking into the theatre in 1993 (which is now closed and was replaced by a Borders book store).
Even though I was 12, I remember being awe-struck as well. After watching that movie more times than I care to count I agree with you about there being a few annoying points. But, I believe that annoying things are almost impossible to avoid.
Definitely a film that changed many things, and many lives.
Feb 3rd, 2006
Pauly D
I saw the movie on opening day on the “biggest movie theater screen west of the Mississippi” in Newport Beach, CA. That was the first of three times I’d see it there over the next week.
So great.
Feb 3rd, 2006
Matt (brother)
Aaaw.. How weird. I was just discussing this movie last night when it was on TV (I think USA). I didn’t know the movie was mad sooo long ago. I can remember dad taking us on a school night to go see it, and how awesome it was. I can also remember being pulled out of school to go see The Matrix with you and dad.. Math Class, Mr. Parti, 2nd period. I have heard rumors (from ComingSoon.net) that Jurassic Park 4 will be directed AFTER Indiana Jones by producer Frank Marshall. I’m not one for talking raptors though that are defeated by a magical musical instrument, so I cant imagine what other stupid ideas are involved. (Which plot is roughly described as “If you like velociraptors, you will love Jurassic Park Four”).
Feb 3rd, 2006
Josh Hemsath
Chip Kidd, the Knopf jacket designer of Jurassic Park wasn’t even credited for the “skeleton” logo that the film used on all its merchandise. Read more about it in his book “Chip Kidd: Book One.”
Feb 4th, 2006
Donnie Jeter
I got the same sort of experience when I saw Independence Day - I was younger then and when I walked out of the theater I felt almost as if we had really defeated the aliens, that I was lucky to be alive.
Feb 7th, 2006
coelomic
“Jurassic Park is and was truly one of the most fulfilling movie experiences that I’ve ever witnessed and because of the amount of detail and the thrilling aspects to the film it’ll always remain a classic, earning its spot next to other wonderful movies that will be watched and remembered by generations to come, mark my word.”
- Couldn’t agree more.
Mar 13th, 2006
David Ellis
Jurassic Park was, is, and always will be my all-time favorite movie! I remember seeing it SEVERAL times in the summer of 1993 with all my friends in the neighborhood! I bought the soundtrack (Great, original and very underated), the toys, the books. I can’t believe it’s been 13 years. It impacted me in a HUGE way and will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart.
Jun 12th, 2006
beeurd
I’m glad I stumbled across this accidently. Without a doubt, Jurassic Park has to be the best movie I have ever seen at a cinema. I love it to bits, although I prefer the novel much more. :D
Jul 13th, 2006
Barringer
Jurassic Park is legendary.. enough said.. after i saw the second movie i borrowed my friend’s novel and read critchon’s the lost world and i loved it.. if they made a movie that followed it almost exactly it would be as fulfilling as the first jurassic park movie.. there was alot of scientific terminology but it did add a unique experience that in my opinion worked well with the rest of the book’s mood. What ever happened with the infamous “barbosal” can that chubbs lost after being eatin in JP? It seemed like they would build off that incident for a second or third or possibly fourth movie.. hopefully the fourth movie will be as fulfilling if not more than the first which would be a hard task but spielberg and critchon could pull it off.. they should bring back the original cast like dr. grant, malcom, sattler, lex, tim etc.. to help give the feel from the first movie but with a good new storyline.. i could go on all day ab this but ill end it with this.. JP4 better be as good or better then the first
Aug 24th, 2006
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