Crichton = Thriller, Spielberg = Adventure

Rating: 5/10 (5 June 2015)

This is one of those issues where reading the book before seeing the movie is going to give you a different perspective on things. I read Michael Crichton's novel first, and enjoyed it much more than Spielberg's movie.
Crichton wrote a very R-rated thriller that was dark and terrifying. You felt like you were trapped on that island with those people. And, instead of off-screen or "Godzilla"-like violence, Crichton had people getting eviscerated, etc. In the movie, Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp (who I think is AWFUL!), have Tyrannosaurs miraculously saving people and so on.
In the novel, people are trapped in the dark, having to use their wits to survive. The bottom line is that the novel is a hard-core thriller, and the movie is an adventure film.
So, if the adventure thing works best for you, then you're in luck with Spielberg. But, if you wanted the dark horror, you go with Crichton. I go with Crichton.
What I remember most when seeing this is that it was the first movie where digital sound was synced with the film print. And, when the Tyrannosaur shows up in the rain to attack, I know you're supposed to be terrified, but I was applauding wildly, absolutely floored by the Visual Effects!
Otherwise, this is a pretty typical Spielberg production: Flat cinematography, lots of push ins to actors' faces, precocious children that are subsequently set upon by dinosaurs, ghosts, etc., overripe acting by hammy actors, etc. I know you're supposed to want the children to be saved. I just wanted them to be eaten!
I would be much better if someone remade this as Crichton wrote it. Supposedly, Crichton had thought about directing it, but was very uncertain about handling the Visual Effects. But, since this movie is basically "Westworld" with dinosaurs, I think he could have pulled it off.
***** (5 Out of 10 Stars)