Movies: Jurassic Park

Score:  ***** out of ***** (A+)

Long Story Short:  Put simply, my favorite movie of all time.  Twenty years ago, I was blown away by the wonder of dinosaurs brought to life; in the years since, that wonder has been supplemented by an admiration for the skill with which Spielberg balanced the story and pacing; the cast provided a believable human context; and especially John Williams lifted the whole thing to mythical status through music.  If joy and wonder and adventure are things that appeal to you, go see this in the theater (again).


This summer, it will be 20 years (!) since Jurassic Park was first released in theaters.  Universal has decided to rerelease this Spielberg hit, not just one of the biggest blockbusters of all time but a true landmark in film production.  Since it's not a new release, I won't be including it in my year-end rankings (it also wouldn't be fair, since it would be #1).  I must admit, I have not seen the 3D version yet (that's tonight!), but I have seen the film dozens of times and wanted to get a review out on the release weekend, which rarely happens.  Jurassic Park, based on the 1990 novel by Michael Crichton, was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum.

On a remote island off the coast of Costa Rica, something amazing is happening that is soon to be revealed to the world.  The leader of this venture, a wealthy CEO named Hammond (Attenborough), invites a few people to preview this attraction prior to unveiling it publicly, including a pair of weary, dusty paleontologists (Neill; Dern) brought in from the middle of a dig.  Only when they arrive at the island do they discover why:  Hammond and his company, InGen, have brought to life the things the things they have studied all their lives - things which have been dead for 65 million years and longer.

Before opening the world's most spectacular "biological preserve," Hammond hopes to convince these paleontologists, a lawyer (Ferrero) and a chaos theorist (Goldblum) of its safety.  To do so, these guests are given the first "standard" tour of the park.  Meanwhile, word of this island has gotten out to the main land, and the guests' stay takes a turn for the worse...

While the dinosaurs are the real stars of Jurassic Park, it's worth at least noting those characters with speaking roles - they aren't there just for dino dessert.  Sam Neill as paleontologist Dr. Grant serves as the lead, and he performs well.  The writers and Neill both understood the importance of restraining Dr. Grant - making him almost boring.  Yet he's believable, a loner who gradually realizes the value of family; he evolves, just like the dinosaurs.  Jeff Goldblum is in by far the most interesting role I've ever seen him as Ian Malcolm, providing both brain-teasing forboding as well as some truly great comic relief.  Laura Dern doesn't have a huge part, but she is an underrated heroine here in displaying great courage, wit, and compassion as Dr. Grant's (only vaguely romantic) partner.  The supporting roles are also well-cast:  Attenborough as the idealistic but short-tempered Hammond; Ferrero as the slimy (and short-lived) lawyer; Wayne Knight as Nedry, the nerd in completely over his head.  Even the kids, Lex and Tim, are not aggravating like so many child characters are in film; in fact, their presence is an essential ingredient in the film's tone and perspective.

What really matters, here, though, are the dinosaurs.  And beyond any other strengths or weaknesses you might find in the film, Spielberg and his digital and animatronics team hit a grand slam.  Not only are the dinosaurs incredibly realistic in appearance and behavior, they are also used to maximum effect by Spielberg, showing every ounce of his talent for grandiosity.  Spielberg gives a truly terrifying preview - while showing very little - in the opening scene, and then when we finally see the first dino, it is an utter jaw-droppingly majestic moment (thanks in large part to the score, which I'll get to).  Throughout the film, Spielberg continues this alternation between the terrifying and majestic, sometimes even combining the two, and he does so flawlessly, seamlessly.  Without completely giving away the climax, I hope, Spielberg even turns my favorite dinosaur into the hero of the film.

An aspect of Jurassic Park that I must discuss, though I rarely do for other films, is the score.  Done by John Williams, the ever-present musical force in Spielberg's films, this is my favorite score of all time and, for me, catapults the film from excellent adventure film to all-time great.  The main theme is just perfect, a soaring melody that absolutely captures the wonder of the film - of the power of film in general.  The score is literally a scene-stealer at times, and throughout Jurassic Park it serves to enhance the mood, whether it be forboding, silly, triumphant, terrifying, and so on.  Bravo, Mr. Williams.  Bravo.

***

I saw Jurassic Park in the theater, way back in 1993 as a six-year-old, and it was probably the first non-kids' movie I'd seen on the big screen.  I was so obsessed with dinosaurs as a kid, I had to see this; and while it was certainly thrilling and tense, rather than give me nightmares it inspired my dreams and imagination.  I think that everyone probably has a "perfect film":  one that connects especially with their particular personality and symbolizes the best of what film has to offer them.  That is Jurassic Park for me:  the initial connection due to my love (primarily as a child, yes, but they still fascinate me) of dinosaurs, and, deeper than that, a feeling of awe for how full of wonder life is - that is, both our own lives and the unbelievable life all around us.  More often than not, I shed a few tears as the helicopter flies off toward the setting sun at the end of the film, with John Williams' amazing theme carrying us all away.  They really and truly don't make them like this anymore; do yourself a favor and go see Jurassic Park in the theater - especially if you didn't have the privilege to do so back in 1993.