Sunday, 25 January 2009

Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth.

Even though the first Jurassic Park was released about sixteen years ago, I thought I'd blog a review on the off-chance that there's anybody out there who hasn't seen it yet. (If so – where have you been? Seriously.) Also because I can talk about this movie ‘til the cows come home.


Basic gist of the film -


Rich old man decides to create a theme park full of genetically engineered dinosaurs. After a few accidents on site, lawyers start to get iffy about the safety of the park, so rich old man brings a palaeontologist, a palaeobotanist, a mathematician, a lawyer and his two grandkids to the park for the weekend to get some positive feedback to please the investors. Lots of ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aah-ing’ over a Brachiosaurus ensues, then it’s all downhill from there.


At its heart this movie fits pretty much entirely into the action genre (with a little bit of fancy science thrown in), so it’s not exactly deep and meaningful or going to change your perspective on life or whatever. It’s just pure entertainment with a few background messages, lots of people getting eaten, and a crapload of impressive CGI.


Seriously, this movie kicks ass for 90s computer animation. Apart from the close-up shots of the Brachiosaurus in the beginning which are a bit dodgy, everything else is pretty acceptable even by today’s high standards.


That said, being an action film which just wants to impress you with its HOLYCRAP!DINOSAURS, it has to be forgiven for being a little bit weak in other areas. Nothing that detracts terribly from enjoying the movie as a whole, but just little things that might make you go – ehhh, a bit silly. If you don’t look into it too much, it’s a lot more fun to watch.


In summation, just watch it. Seriously, I love this movie a great deal, to the extent that I once watched it every day for about two weeks. Of course, I grew up watching this film, I love dinosaurs and I have a pretty weak attention span, so, there’s my excuses.


Ratings-wise, going by Grace’s Ingenious System, I’d have to place it in the Good Movies catergory (bordering on Genius, but only due to personal bias), because it’s just fun and entertaining overall. Generally though, if I can sit through a movie more than once and still enjoy it, I’m usually satisfied. I sound easy, but that’s actually a surprisingly limited number of films.


Another good reason to watch it: Ever thought it would be effing sweet if dinosaurs were brought back to life to live amongst us? Sometimes I do too. Then I watch this movie.


9 ½ out of 10 anatomically-incorrect Velociraptors. Points deducted for the dodgy Brachiosaurus in the beginning. Could’ve tried harder.


- Christa, loves movies with no depth as long as they have dinosaurs in them.



ps When I was young, I never needed anyone, and making love was just for fun. Those days are gone.


Listening to: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – Dead Or Alive

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