Written and created by Matthew Pejkovic

Contact: mattsm@mattsmoviereviews.net

Logo created by Colony Graphic Design

 
 
 
1993
JURASSIC PARK

STARRING:SAM NEIL,LAURA DERN,JEFF GOLDBLUM,RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH,ARIANA RICHARDS,JOSPEH MAZZELLO,BOB PECK,MARTIN FERRERO,SAMUEL L.JACKSON,WAYNE KNIGHT

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MICHAEL CRICHTON

SCREENPLAY BY MICHAEL CRICHTON & DAVID KOEPP

PRODUCED BY KATHLEEN KENNEDY & GERALD R.MOLEN

DIRECTED BY STEVEN SPIELBERG

GENRE:ADVENTURE/SCIENCE FICTION/HORROR

RATED:AUSTRALIA:M/UK:PG/USA:PG-13

RUNNING TIME:127 MIN

In the same year that director Steven Spielberg released the intensely personal Schindler's List, he also released one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Based on Michael Crichton's best seller, Jurassic Park tells the story of a group of scientists who are invited to an island off Costa Rica where all hell breaks loose when its prehistoric inhabitants escape from their confides. The movie also focuses on the relationship between Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neil) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), especially Grant's attitude towards having children which is put to the test when he has to endure the pain of sharing his space with the grandchildren of John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), the wealthy entrepreneur who found a way to bring the dinosaurs back to life by using the DNA of an ancient insect which fed on the creatures during the prehistoric age.
While maintaining some of the main elements from his previous films (big effects, family values), Jurassic Park is also a good monster movie. While it does not reach the same blood curling heights of Jaws, there are still some terrifically tense scenes.
The effects are a mix of CGI and animatronics and still look good compared to today's standards, while acting wise everyone involved does what they are supposed to do which is to play support to the various creatures who are the real stars of the film, thanks to the excellent effects team who all received worthy Academy Awards.
This movie is the type of summer blockbuster that only Spielberg could muster. Backed with a huge budget and with only the best in the business at his disposal, Spielberg continues to make fun adventure movies that appeal to adults and children alike while also bringing to life much serious fair such as The Color Purple and Schindler's List. Jurassic Park has secured its spot as one of Spielberg's better effects driven films and still looks great a little over 10 years after its release.
***1/2
 
 

 

Copyright © Matthew Pejkovic 2007-2008