Jurassic Park – Revisited

REVIEW:

Disclaimer: With Jurassic World Rebirth set to hit cinemas this summer, I’m revisiting my original review of Jurassic Park before reviewing the rest of the franchise. As my all-time favourite film, this is a journey I’m incredibly excited to take—starting with the movie that changed everything.

Jurassic Park – A Cinematic Masterpiece That Defined an Era

Few films can claim to have reshaped cinema, but Jurassic Park is one of them. A landmark achievement in filmmaking, it revolutionised visual effects, pioneered CGI advancements that still hold up today, and set the gold standard for the modern blockbuster. The impact of Jurassic Park can be felt in nearly every major spectacle released since—this isn’t just a film; it’s a phenomenon.

The ingenuity behind its visual effects remains astounding. Watching the bonus features on the Blu-ray, you gain a newfound appreciation for the painstaking work that brought dinosaurs to life. When Steven Spielberg saw the test footage of a herd of Gallimimus running across the plains, he knew that a perfect blend of CGI and practical effects would create an experience unlike anything before. And he was right. The dinosaurs in Jurassic Park—from Stan Winston’s breathtaking animatronics to ILM’s seamless CGI—feel as real today as they did in 1993, a testament to the film’s masterful craftsmanship.

I won’t pretend to be objective—Jurassic Park is my all-time favourite movie. It was the first film to truly captivate me, the first to make me fall in love with cinema. It sparked my childhood fascination with palaeontology, a passion shared by countless others inspired by the film’s breathtaking portrayal of dinosaurs. Though my dream of digging up fossils faded, my love for Jurassic Park never did. This is more than a movie to me; it’s the reason I became a film fanatic.

Beyond its technical achievements, Jurassic Park left an undeniable mark on how audiences perceive dinosaurs. Scientific discoveries have since redefined our understanding of these prehistoric creatures, but for millions, the definitive image of a velociraptor or T-Rex is the one crafted by Spielberg, Winston, and ILM’s Dennis Muren. The film’s depiction was so influential that it shaped pop culture’s perception of dinosaurs for generations.

While loosely based on Michael Crichton’s novel, the film takes creative liberties that elevate it beyond a mere adaptation. One of the most notable changes is the character of Dr. John Hammond—portrayed in the book as a ruthless businessman prioritising profits over people, whereas in the film, he is a well-intentioned visionary who comes to recognise the consequences of his ambition. The novel is an excellent read, but don’t expect a direct retelling of Spielberg’s masterpiece.

The cast is nothing short of exceptional. Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum bring charm and depth to their roles, with Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm becoming a cultural icon—oozing charisma, delivering endlessly quotable lines, and stealing every scene he’s in. The supporting cast, from Samuel L. Jackson to Wayne Knight, further cements the film’s enduring legacy, with dialogue that remains ingrained in movie history.

Spielberg masterfully balances adventure with elements of horror, a skill he had already honed with Jaws and E.T. Despite only featuring 14 minutes of actual dinosaur footage, the pacing is pitch-perfect, maintaining an electrifying sense of awe, tension, and terror throughout. This is the work of a filmmaker at the peak of his powers.

And of course, no discussion of Jurassic Park would be complete without mentioning John Williams’ legendary score. Few pieces of film music evoke such an immediate emotional response. The moment that iconic theme swells as we first glimpse dinosaurs in the park? Pure cinematic magic.

Jurassic Park wasn’t just a technological leap—it was a storytelling triumph, a film that captured imaginations, pushed the boundaries of filmmaking, and continues to inspire new generations of movie lovers. Decades later, it still holds its place as one of the greatest films ever made. No matter how many times I revisit it, it always delivers the same sense of wonder, excitement, and nostalgia.

Because Jurassic Park isn’t just a movie. It’s an experience. And life, as they say, finds a way.