Dinosaurs Are Back To Roaming...And Devouring

Rating: Null/10 (6 August 2008)

I've always admired Steven Spielberg for his attempts to make different movies. Even though not all of them are exceptional, I've always liked watching them and 'Schindler's List', 'Jurassic Park', 'Saving Private Ryan', 'The Terminal'...just to name a few, rank among my favourites. 'Jurassic Park' is an exciting action adventure. I don't even remember how many times I've seen it but I do recall that I've enjoyed it every single time.
The special effects are stunning. The dinosaurs look eerily real. Next to being detailed and well tones, the movement looks very realistic (as in most films one can see the go-motion which Spielberg had cleverly avoided). I wonder why filmmakers today don't use this kind of special effects instead of going entirely CGI. Thanks to the cinematography, the whole park is spectacular to watch and it has just as much an important role as the creatures. The background score and brilliant sound effects manage to create that chilling mood.
Another thing that makes 'Jurassic Park' so exciting to watch is the suspense element which is very well built. The viewers wonder who will die next, which dinosaurs will show up, what's the fate of the main characters etc. The opening sequence already gives us the feel that it will be quite a bloodfeast. But, the events that follow thereafter are more 'laidback'. Spielberg starts the story by introducing the park and once the viewer knows all there is to know about the park, the action begins. Though some seem to find the plausibility of the theory about dinosaurs being revived and set to roam the world, problematic, I'd say enjoy it for what it is. It's not supposed to be a philosophical movie with deep meaning (but if someone sees it that way and appreciates it who am I to complain).
The cast do a great job. Sam Neill and Laura Derns do a cool job of taking over roles that were offered to the likes of Harrison Ford, William Hurt, Robin Wright Penn, Juliette Binoche and Sridevi. Richard Attenborough always has a pleasant presence even though his character is initially somewhat of a jerk. Jeff Goldblum's charismatic Ian provides some comic relief. Poor Samuel L. Jackson and Bob Peck get devoured but at least they do put up one hell of a battle. Joseph Mazzello is a little annoying but cute and sometimes funny. Ariana Richards screams a lot but otherwise she's adequate.
Perhaps it was because of my fascination with dinosaurs that I loved this movie as a child but for me 'Jurassic Park' has stood the test of time. I had just revisited it last night for the nth time and it felt awesome to watch. 1993 was perhaps the best year in Spielbergs career because that's the year he gave 'Schindler's List' and 'Jurassic Park'.