Still astounds visually

Rating: 8/10 (27 August 2012)

I didn't see it on its release unfortunately so I won't be able to experience it on the big screen until a re-release. I have great respect for Steven Spielberg as a filmmaker and this would be one of the movies I would present as one of my reasons. I'm aware it is based on the novel but I won't be comparing the two because I haven't read the book yet. I only found out about the source several years after I saw this movie.
Since the movie relies on thrills with a large scale, the story is expected to take a backseat. As far as storytelling goes, it is good enough to set the whole movie up (maybe like Jaws except Jaws, in my opinion, had more character development). That doesn't mean the characters are not likable. With a cast consisting of Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and several well-known actors, it adds more fun to the whole situation seeing them dish out their personalities amidst the danger.
As for the effects, there's not much I can say that hasn't been said before. It's innovative and just a wonder seeing dinosaurs come to life, however inaccurate they might be. From the seemingly peaceful brontosaurus to the frightening tyrannosaurus rex down to the smallest (yet dangerous) of these prehistoric creatures, I can see there's was a lot of work done and it really paid off in a big way. Escapism on a whole other level.