So underrated it makes me sick...

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2004)

Includes mild spoilers
In recent years, Hollywood has been producing sequel after sequel for no other purpose than making lots of money. Sequels are often, if not always, empty and hollow money-makers. Despite what has been said many times before, The Lost World: Jurassic Park is not one of these films. It solidly stands alongside the original and complements it very well.
First of all, I would like to set aside all of this mindless yammering about this movie being a butchered adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel of the same name. If you call the movie and the book different, then you are not a true Jurassic Park fan. Sure, the characters and events are drastically different, but when you get right down to it, the true heart and spirit of the movie and book are identical. They are both scientifically profound,including moral issues about whether or not it is right to exploit dinosaurs for profit. They both revolve around two teams: one is a team of dinosaur advocates and the other is a team of evil hunters who plans to raid the island. All of the characters of the book are still there, but they often manifested as someone else. If you pay close attention and analyze the movie it should be quite obvious. My only minor complaint is the exclusion of Lewis Dodgson. I feel that he is an essential villain to the story.

Cinematically, this movie is brilliant. It is flawlessly directed, written, and acted. The locations are breathtaking. The score is beautifully composed and conducted. The CGI is as good as ever. Stan Winston's robotic creatures are painstakingly detailed and lifelike. What more can you as for?
And I am going to go nuts if I hear one more complaint about the San Diego scene. Sure, it's over the top, but it is a logical course for the plot to take. It is ironic because Peter Ludlow wanted to do what John Hammond failed to to, but in turn he caused more of a disaster than his uncle ever did.
Anyone who claims that Jurassic Park 3 is a better sequel is out of their mind. Take the time to appreciate this movie for what it is. The Lost World: Jurassic Park is pure cinematic excellence!