Theres no denying that the original Jurassic Park is a cult classic. Highly quotable (and meme-able) with likable characters, great action and just right amount of humor without losing its serious tone. Jurassic Park just got a theatrical 3D Re-release thank to its 25th Anniversary, gearing up for its official 4K release this October. Jurassic Park was a box office phenomenon smashing recording and earning a life time gross of $1.1 Billion, it would go on to be the highest grossing film of all-time until the Release of Titanic in 1997. While an argument could be made for the declining quality of its later sequels, and subsequent second trilogy, there are many reasons why it still holds up today.
It Raises Moral and Financial Questions
The science of Jurassic Park raises some serious real life implications for cloning and genetic manuipulation. Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcom has the loudest voice of concern, but most of the Islands "experts" who are brought on seem to agree. Alan Grant and Ellie Satler remind his that these immense beasts have no idea what they century they are in, unleashed in a world that couldn't possibly support their eco system.
Founder John Hammond is hoping their tour of the his island park would somehow justify its existence. His character is almost like an avatar for the unstoppable power of money, and the lack of responsibility that often goes along with unchecked billionaires being left to create a world as they see fit. For all of his talk about "sparing no expense" he disregards the skill of his one IT GUY, Wayne Knight's Dennis Nedry. Nedry's lack of financial compensation is a brief plot point of the film, but it leads to him selling dinosaur embryos to a competitor. This one event if a catalyst for the entire Dinosaur escape, and could have been avoided if the containment of 65 ton giants would not have been left up to one under-appreciated coder.
It seamlessly transitions into a Straight Up Horror Movie
While Satler and Grant (and the audience) are understandably in awe of the majesty of a large Braccosaurus, it quickly turns to terror when the T REX and Raptors are unleashed. Like all good characters in a horror movie, Grant and company are out matched and constantly on the run for their lives. You shoot, you run. The Raptor scene in the kitchen towards the end of the film should be a blue print for how to build tension; Hammond's Grandkids Tim and Lex scramble away from a trio of Raptors looking for a snack.
Alan Grant is a Bad Ass
Sam Neil's portrayal as archcheologist has a legitimate portrayal into bad ass. He's not your typical action movie star. His character isn't a Navy Seal or a former Special Forces soldier. He digs up bones. However he shares a straight of a classic horror movie survivor -- a regular guy forced into a life or death situation. By the end, he slings one-liners and stares down dinosaurs with resolve protecting kids in tow.
It has an Instantly recognizable Sound Design
The Original Jurassic Park introduced us to some of the most recognizable music and sound effects in pop culture. To its highly addictive theme song to the roar the T -Rex the original JP would use a lot of these elements in future sequels. Placing in in the same stable as Indiana Jones or Back of the future. This is just one of the many ways its made for viewing on the big screen or with a massive sound system.
It has just the right amount of Sequel Set Up
Following their harrowing escape from the Island, we Grant, Ian, Ellie, and John resting on a helicopter ride to safety. The helicopter bears the N-GEN logo, a corporation with military funding that would be instrumental in not only the immediate sequel, The Lost World, but also in the future of the franchise as a whole. Hammond looks longingly at her walking stick, with the original amber incised mosquito on its end. He looks as though he's letting his dream of a dinosaur park die, but the camera lingers on it a little too long, and provides us with that sinking feeling that its not quite over.
The Future of Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is an exceptional piece of pop culture that gave us an exciting glimpse into some true Spielburg era magic. While the franchise may have faltered, there's no denying that franchise has some lasting appeal, the upcoming release of some of its classic video games adaptions show us that its not quite extinct yet.
(2023, 13 July). Pureza, G. Old School Jurassic Park Games are Coming to Modern Platforms. GameRant. https://gamerant.com/jurassic-park-classic-games-collection/
(2023, 20 January). Vitale, M. Every Jurassic Park movie Ranked by Box Office Gross. Movie Web. https://movieweb.com/jurassic-park-world-movies-box-office-gross/
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