Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel ‘Jurassic Park’ became one of the biggest movie blockbusters in cinema history when it landed in the theater during the summer of 1993.
Directed by the master himself, Steven Spielberg, “Jurassic Park” would win three Academy Awards, spawn a pair of sequels in the late 90s, and be the foundation for the 2015 franchise reboot. All successors are easily forgettable when compared to the original.
Everyone has a fascination with dinosaurs, and Crichton and Spielberg exploit that with the thrilling concept; an island theme park featuring recreated beasts extinct for millions of years. Of course, bad things happen to a group of characters stranded amidst the jungle park, and Steven Spielberg adds his own trademark suspense, akin to his blockbuster “Jaws,” with a slow start that leaves the viewer on the edge of their seat, waiting for the inevitable.
“Jurassic Park” is perfectly cast, with all parts, both major and ancillary, flawlessly performed, and the rapport the group share with one another is nothing shy of untouchable. Sam Neill plays paleontologist Alan Grant, and the depth for the character is made clear from his opening scene. Grant loves his work with an unbridled passion, and is an expert in the field. Grant is technologically impaired in a fun way, is weary of children, and has a particular fondness for one specific species of dinosaur. All of these facets are perfectly worked into the movie later on, and the initial scene offers great foreshadowing and extreme depth to the character, making him one we trust and can relate with.
Neill is joined by Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler, his partner both in the field and at home. Dern offers a subtle perfection with her character, deferring to Grant when needed, but able to do what it takes in the face of immense danger. She’s feisty and spirited, playing well off the low-key Grant, but still knowledgeable in her field and clearly fond of Alan.
Jeff Goldblum, who previously starred in the science fiction horror piece “The Fly” plays mathematician Ian Malcolm – a man said to suffer from a deplorable excess of personality. Goldblum is so well cast, you’ll find yourself in full acceptance of his outside the norm thoughts and comical demeanor. Richard Attenborough plays John Hammond the “spared no expense” financier of the park, and his grandchildren (Ariana Richards & Joseph Mazzello) are excellent compliments for the inevitable terror that we all know is coming.
In a pre-Seinfeld role, Wayne Knight is the unlikely catalyst for the entire movie as the sleazy Dennis Nedry. Knight is so great as the nerdy and obnoxious computer programmer, its an obvious transition to his more well known antihero role of Newman. Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Peck, and Martin Ferrero round out the group, and all have their moments to shine in the spotlight.
The story itself requires an obvious suspension of belief, but the scientific elements are presented in such a way that the recreation of dinosaurs actually seems plausible. That the movie takes place in the dawn of the tech boom only adds to the mystique. The awards the film won are all in the sound and special effects arena, and all well deserved.
The animatronics are astounding, and have held up well over the quarter-century since its release. Not to spoil anything for those that haven’t watched, but the scene that finally introduces Dr. Grant et al to the T-Rex is one of the best scenes in movie history.
“Jurassic Park” is one of the best movies of all time. It has characters, lines, suspense, and action that makes it re-watchable and always entertaining. Its a perfect and thrilling story with love able characters and memorable creatures.
by – Matt DeCristo
