The Lost World: Jurassic Park

REVIEW:

Minor spoilers included.
I have such a vivid memory of watching The Lost World: Jurassic Park for the very first time. I must’ve been around six or seven, visiting my grandparents, when my whole family—parents, grandparents and all—took me to the local cinema. By that age, I was already dinosaur-obsessed, largely thanks to Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park. I still remember how giddy I was, practically bouncing in my seat. Or at least trying to—because the adult in front of me completely blocked my view of the screen. Not one to let anything come between me and dinosaurs, I got up and sat on the carpeted steps beside the seats for the entire movie. Looking back, I realise that memory captures my early devotion to this franchise perfectly. Now, almost 30 years on, that love hasn’t faded.

On rewatch, The Lost World might not recapture the sense of awe and wonder that the 1993 original delivered, but it’s still a bold and thrilling sequel packed with intense moments, jaw-dropping effects, and more prehistoric chaos. Spielberg dials up the action considerably, and the tone is darker—more dangerous. From the very first shots of Isla Sorna, you sense that this place is not the idyllic fantasy that Isla Nublar pretended to be. The skies are cloudy, the jungle feels more claustrophobic, and John Williams’ score instantly builds a creeping tension. It’s a more primal, survival-driven experience.

The opening scene with the compys attacking the young girl sets the tone immediately—this movie’s not pulling any punches. Those little green demons genuinely freaked me out as a kid, and their later attack on Peter Stormare’s character still makes my skin crawl. Even now, that scene sticks with me. Spielberg knew what he was doing—introducing new dinosaur species while still retaining the suspense. The compys may be small, but they’re vicious, and their swarming behaviour made them one of the most unnerving additions to the series.

Speaking of new dinosaurs, one of this sequel’s biggest strengths is the sheer variety of creatures on display. The Stegosaurus family, in particular, is a standout. Seeing them rendered with a mix of stunning CGI and animatronics is still impressive today. They’re majestic, yet powerful, and Spielberg makes it clear early on that these aren’t theme park attractions anymore—they’re wild animals, unpredictable and territorial. The practical effects across the board remain outstanding, and the way they blend with early CGI is a testament to how ahead of its time this series has always been.

If Jurassic Park was more of a horror-adventure, The Lost World leans into its blockbuster action pedigree. There’s no shortage of exhilarating set pieces, but none come close to topping the trailer-hanging-over-a-cliff sequence. The parental T-Rexes attacking to reclaim their baby is still heart-pounding cinema, and the line “Mama’s very angry” is etched into my memory. Poor Eddie’s death was brutal, and even now I still wish he’d made it out. Another scene that deserves praise is the long grass raptor attack—Spielberg’s use of silhouettes and movement in that moment is pure tension-building brilliance.

That said, The Lost World isn’t without flaws. The cast list feels bloated, and a handful of characters are so thinly written that their names slip away even before the credits roll. While Jeff Goldblum returns as Ian Malcolm, this version feels a bit disconnected from his sardonic, chaotic energy in the original. He’s less theory and more concerned dad this time around. I’d have loved just a few more lines echoing his iconic dialogue from the first film to tie him back more strongly to the character we loved. Still, Goldblum brings his natural charisma, and it’s great seeing him in a leading role.

Now, we have to talk about that gymnastics scene. Even as a kid, I remember thinking it was bizarre. Having Malcolm’s daughter flip-kick a velociraptor out of a window? That’s the kind of scene that feels like it was written during a late-night brainstorm session and somehow made it into the final cut. It’s the one moment where the film really wobbles. And while I did enjoy the shift in setting to San Diego in the final act, I still have no idea how the T-Rex managed to eat the entire ship’s crew without leaving the cargo hold. There’s even a severed hand on the helm, yet the rex is somehow still below deck? A plot hole that’s too big (literally) to ignore.

Despite the inconsistencies, The Lost World still ends on a high note. That final shot of dinosaurs roaming freely across Isla Sorna, left in peace by humankind—for now—is such a strong image. It perfectly encapsulates one of the series’ key themes: nature reclaiming its domain. And for me personally, it brings things full circle. Sitting there as a kid on the cinema steps, completely transfixed, I didn’t care about plot holes or silly stunts—I just loved seeing dinosaurs come to life. And honestly, I still do.