Jurassic Park III

REVIEW:

Jurassic Park III marks the first entry in the franchise not directed by Steven Spielberg and you feel that absence immediately. Spielberg, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, brought a particular level of artistry and awe to the first two films that is sorely missing here. With Joe Johnston at the helm, there’s a noticeable lack of the finesse, pacing, and visual storytelling that made the original feel like cinematic magic. I went in worried that without Spielberg, the film might feel hollow. Sadly, those worries turned out to be justified.

Let’s start with the good, because yes, there are some bright spots. The Pteranodon aviary sequence is the standout moment, and for good reason. It’s a thrilling, mist-filled set piece that injects a sense of danger and originality that had been missing up to that point. The design of the cage, the fog, the eerie score, all come together to create a genuinely tense and visually engaging scene that adds something new to the Jurassic formula. It’s the one moment that genuinely feels like it could have belonged in a Spielberg film.

But unfortunately, this is where the positives run dry and it pains me to say that as a lifelong Jurassic fan. Clocking in at just 92 minutes, this is the shortest film in the series, and it feels more like an overbudgeted TV special than a proper theatrical instalment. There’s none of the grand, sweeping momentum we expect from a Jurassic movie. The narrative is rushed, the stakes never quite land, and there’s a nagging sense that the film just isn’t aiming high enough.

One of my biggest frustrations lies in how they handled the return of Dr. Alan Grant. Sam Neill, bless him, gives it his all and still has that spark of wonder when discussing raptor intelligence, but his character is given a deeply unconvincing reason to visit Isla Sorna. Yes, money was part of his motivation in the original, but that was when he had no idea that the island actually contained living dinosaurs. Are we really supposed to believe that, after everything he’s been through, he’d agree to fly near another dinosaur-infested island just for a paycheck? It feels careless and out of character. Neill deserved far better for stepping back into the role.

Speaking of legacy characters, what happened to Ellie and Alan? The reveal that she’s married with kids feels like a betrayal of their arc in the first film. Alan learning to care for children was a key part of his development, and there was always an unspoken hope that he and Ellie would end up together. Why not have them as a couple now, perhaps even with Ellie being the one who gets kidnapped to draw Alan back in? I don’t know if Laura Dern wasn’t available for a larger role or if the script always sidelined her, but either way, the choice feels empty and oddly cynical.

Visually, the film struggles to recapture the awe of its predecessors. The animatronics, once a shining strength of the franchise, often feel rubbery and exaggerated, more like something from a theme park ride than a living, breathing creature. The CGI fares no better, strangely looking more dated than the effects in the previous two films. The fight between the Spinosaurus and the T Rex, which should have been an iconic clash of titans, is over before it even begins. If you want to establish the Spino as the new apex predator, fine, but at least let the Rex put up a proper fight.

Some of the creative choices are just baffling. The raptor standing motionless behind the glass like some kind of statue might’ve been intended to show intelligence, but it plays out as laughably unrealistic. And then there’s the strange moment where Ellie somehow deduces from a broken satellite call that Alan is stuck on Isla Sorna. No explanation, no real setup, just a leap of logic the film hopes we’ll accept without question. It’s lazy writing, pure and simple, and that’s what hurts most. This franchise deserves better than lazy.

By the time the ending arrives, abruptly and without fanfare, it’s hard not to feel cheated. I’ve since read that they ran out of money during production, and boy, does it show. The final moments don’t feel like a climax, more like someone pulling the plug mid scene. I know this all sounds harsh, but it comes from a place of love. I adore this franchise. That’s why it stings so much that Jurassic Park III feels like such a step down. With a weak story, a misused cast, and a tone that never quite finds its footing, it’s easily the weakest of the series. Sam Neill tries his best, but he’s surrounded by forgettable characters and eye rolling performances, particularly from William H. Macy and Téa Leoni, whose chaotic energy feels mismatched from start to finish.