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.
