Weakest of the franchise.

Rating: 5/10 (29 March 2017)

It goes without saying that TLW has absolutely nothing on the original. JP beats the sequel on pretty much everything, no need to go into why. That being said, I honestly don't understand why this one gets more praise than JP3... JP3 is no masterpiece and once again NOTHING on the original. But, I do think it holds up better than TLW. I even think JW for all it was holds up better too because while it wasn't mind- blowing, it was fun for all it was! Indeed, TLW is by no means the worst film ever made but it is the weakest in the franchise in my opinion (probably an unpopular opinion).
Unlike the others, I have no attachment to the characters in this film. Goldblum is much more likable in the original as a secondary character not as the main protagonist. He commands no emotions and you don't feel invested in his cause (whatever it is...) As for the others, does anybody really care about them? Especially Vince Vaughn, I don't see what he ever brings to a film (not even dodgeball, it's made by the other actors). The only actor I appreciated in this film was Pete Postlethwaite's character, and he didn't have THAT huge a part.
I do like the heavy T-Rex focus of the film, everyone loves a good T-Rex, that can't be argued. The raptors don't get enough justice in TLW though, they aren't utilised enough and don't have the same terrifying appeal that they held in the first. Also, I won't comment too much on that ridiculous scene where Goldblum's daughter gymnastics a raptor through a window onto a spike... enough said really.
I don't like being harsh on this film as I am a big fan of the series. I was too young to go to the original release in 1993, but I can still remember going to TLW even though I was only five years old at the time. I liked it as a kid, but it doesn't translate well into adulthood for me... unlike JP which will always be welcome on my DVD shelf. Indeed, TLW was never going to live up to it's predecessor, and I am aware that most of it is based on the book, but I honestly can't help but think of TLW as an unfulfilled prospect that could have been much better than it was.