Review of Jurassic Park (1993) by Kevin P — 06 Jul 2018

Strengths: It's Steven Spielberg at his finest. A big blockbuster movie that hits all the right notes. From a special effects standpoint, it's incredible. The film came out over two decades ago and looks better than most of what is produced in 2018. It looks that impressive. Spielberg's direction in this one is legendary. He's clearly having a blast with the wonder of having dinosaurs roam free. It's evident by some of his shots. Keeping with the more technical aspects of the film, John Williams provides one of the most memorable scores in cinema history. Sam Neil (Dr. Alan Grant) is a strong lead and the character being paired up with the kids was a smart move. He talks about not wanting kids throughout the film, but takes on a father figure role when things get tough, causing his growth. Jeff Goldblum (Dr. Ian Malcolm) is another standout from an acting perspective. Every scene is filled with something that matters, from character building to gorgeous shots to tense, pulse-pounding moments. It's a groundbreaking movie that is an absolute classic.

Weaknesses: Laura Dern (Dr. Ellie Sattier) is relatively fine in her role, but she doesn't bring much to the table. It feels like she's kind of just there. That's just nitpicking at this point, though.

Overall: I honestly forgot how great this was until I watched it again. There's a reason it's considered a classic. It has good writing and acting, but what makes it so incredible is everything else. The cinematography, the effects, and the terrific blend of horror, sci-fi, action, suspense, and even comedy.