Allan Watched “Jurassic Park”
Jurassic Park, the 1993 classic directed by Steven Spielberg, is still as thrilling and memorable as it was when it premiered 25 years ago. It’s mesmerizing blend of childhood splendor and thrilling action makes this one of the most important movies ever made.
Gut Feeling
Dammit that’s a great movie. It has been five or so years since I’ve sat down and watched Jurassic Park beginning to end, and the movie still makes me feel like a little kid. The most effective part of this film will always be the back and forth between the characters’ true joy of watching these breathtaking creatures that they’ve only been able to piece together in their minds, and the horror as they try to survive this science experiment gone wrong.
90’s Acting Dominance
Nothing scream “early-90s blockbuster” like the dream trio of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. Neill’s biggest strength in the film is how believable his sustained wonderment is throughout, and how you’re not hit over the head with the “he hates kids but he loves them now” arc. To me, the best moments in the film are him riding the stomach of his favorite dinosaur and him in the trees with the two kids who probably hate their grandfather now and totally need therapy, watching the brachiosauruses sing and eat.
Besides Dern’s really dope screaming, her subtle love for Neill and the dinosaurs (hard to tell which she loves more) is powerful. Her role and overall performance is a template that has gone awry in so many movies that have tried to capture similar science-fiction greatness since Jurassic Park. This formula is usually doomed by overacting in the thrilling moments, and a love story that is unnecessary when all we care about is the action. As for Goldblum, he should’ve been on screen about 150% more, and his omniscient-like insight gives this great thriller the proper dose of humor and wit. But I don’t need to tell you that Jeff Goldblum is a treasure and should be treated as such.
As for child acting in the 90s, Joseph Mazello and Ariana Richards hold their own quite well. You don’t really get the cringe-worthy moment that a child actor in a thriller usually provides, and their escape scene from the kitchen after eating the greatest buffet spread imaginable is one of the most captivating moments in the film.
Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson <33333333333333.
One of the Best, By One of the Best
You know you are having a good year when Jurassic Park is only the second-most accomplished movie you make in a year, and that was the case for Spielberg. He actually wrapped up JP while filming Schindler’s List, which would go on to win Best Picture at the 66th Academy Awards. What makes Jurassic Park one of his finest movies is how he lets you live in these suspenseful moments that appear to be happening in real time. The best scenes of the movie all occur in small pieces of real estate, and he packs so much excitement and room to breathe in these moments. Even the “chase scenes” are slow, tactical bursts of excitement (i.e. the raptors in the kitchen or the T-Rex fighting a jeep).
The one risk of watching a beloved science fiction flick that is 25-years old is distracting outdated special effects. But not here! It is reeealllly close to being distracting in some parts, mainly the first look at the T-Rex. But it all holds up, thank God.
GOAT ALERT
My man John Williams BRINGS it in Jurassic Park. This is some of his best work, and the dude wrote it in ONE MONTH. Amazing. My favorite musical element is the blistering horns as they first land on the island. It let’s you know “this is all fun and stuff now, but shit’s about to get real”. 12/10 for music in JP.
Random Thoughts
This easily could have been the origin story for Lex Murphy the super villain. Girl is shook, and I imagine she begins plotting her grandfathers death immediately.
The T-Rex dominating that first raptor at the climax of the film always elicits a noise from my body that I can’t quite describe. It is one of my favorite moments of any movie ever.
Did I mention John Williams wrote the score in a month? I have an email asking for a list of four things that I’ve been putting off longer than that. GOAT.
JP is one of the most commonly guessed films when I play the “what won Best Picture” game with friends (I have every winner memorized and it is one of my more popular party tricks). It is a testament to how important this movie is to so many people. This film was not even nominated, but Stevey-Boy did OK that year. It did win three production Oscars, "Best Sound Editing”, “Best Sound Mixing”, and “Best Visual Effects”.
This was the first movie ever made in digital sound, which is another cool reason this movie is one of the most important of all time.
Quick Hits:
How many times have I seen this movie?
This was probably the 10th or so time, but the first time in a few years.
Where was I watching it?
In my office, playing NBA 2k. Which is pretty normal for me. It does drive Kellye crazy that I can watch a movie while playing video games, but whatevs let me live my life.
One Random Thought?
One month!!! John Williams. GOAT.
Did Kellye Watch it? If Yes, did she like it. If no, would she like it?
Kellye did not watch it with me, but does love it. When asked about it this morning, she said “It is a movie that reminds us old white guys shouldn’t be in charge of so many things.” I didn’t intend for Jurassic Park to bring out politics, but she went there.
Favorite fact I learned from Wikipedia
One month!!!
Favorite part
When big daddy T-Rex destroys that first raptor.
Least favorite part
Lex is a super hacker wonder-teen but doesn’t know how to turn off a flashlight? Bullshit.
Would I recommend this movie and why?
Duhhhhh.
So What Does Allan Give It?
Two gold thumbs up! A truly important piece of art. Overall, a score of 92.
