Review of Jurassic Park III (2001) by Lloyd H — 30 Jan 2013

Jurassic Park 3 is regarded by many as something of a disappointment and the worst film of the Jurassic Park franchise. But personally I think it receives too much negative criticism and is a definite improvement of its predecessor The Lost World. Joe Johnston has taken over directorial duties from Steven Spielberg and I think the majority had low expectations of this film because of this. However Spielberg was still involved as an executive producer.

Sam Neill is back! I think this films saving grace is the return of Dr. Alan Grant. Without him it would of been a flop like The Lost World. Sam Neill does his best to bring the franchise back to life and brings back the wonder and fascination of the original. The supporting cast however is awful and on a par with The Lost World. William H. Macy is great in Fargo and Magnolia, but his inclusion in Jurassic Park 3 didn't work for me. Then there's Téa Leoni who I can't stand and other bit part characters who aren't particularly well known. I was however very pleased with Laura Dern's brief return as Dr. Ellie Sattler.

The plot is wafer thin compared to the previous films and is set on Site B, the same island as in The Lost World. It looks a feels a lot different though. The film starts where we see a man and a boy parasailing over the island coast and they're boat is attacked by something unknown. They release themselves from the boat and glide into the island. As they are missing, the parents of the boy want to go to the island to rescue their son. The parents know the island is a restricted area and that no authorities can help them. So they pose as a wealthy couple who trick Alan Grant into being a tour guide as they fly over the island. They lie about having permission from the Costa Rican government and make Alan Grant an offer he cannot refuse. The couple acquire a team of mercenary experts and with Alan Grant go on their so called tour of the island pretending that they hope to see Dinosaurs.

On their arrival to the island, as the plane circles the couple say they want to land the plane. Alan Grant protests that its too dangerous to land and before he knows it he realises he's been tricked and lied to. After a series of unfortunate events involving the plain crashing, the group is stuck on the Island and the search begins for the missing boy. And apart from mid way through when the boy is actually found, not much else happens in terms of plot other than the group gradually moving towards the coast. But despite the lack of story telling, the film is well compensated with great action sequences and more best of all more Dinosaurs.

We see the Spinosaurus for the first time and the flying Pteranodon's also. Sadly the T-Rex is killed within minutes as it epically faces off against the Spinosaurus and looses. We then see the return of the raptors and they look more real than ever. The exciting set pieces continue as we see the Pteranodon's in a huge bird cage which is visually stunning. Next the Spinosaurus returns under water and destroys a boat and a crane in the films last big set piece. Last but not least the raptors return seeking their eggs that had been stolen by one of the characters, after a terrifyingly suspenseful face off with Sam Neill the film comes to a close as the group finally reaches the coast and the Marines and Navy arrive to rescue them.

Jurassic Park 3 is probably the scariest and most suspenseful of the franchise, apart from the first viewing of the original Jurassic Park when we'd all seen nothing like it before. Although the plot is simple, it makes sense as apposed to the mix ups in The Lost World. The scale doesn't feel as big as the first two films, but its still thoroughly enjoyable. The set pieces are so much fun but sadly the timing if them felt a bit disjointed. The first big sequence featuring the fight between the T-Rex and Spinosaurus I think would of been great as the films ending climax. Whereas the ending just suddenly comes to a halt. At times the films lacks those trademark Spielberg moments of the first two films but personally overall is more enjoyable than The Lost World, but still doesn't come close to the original.

The score is undoubtedly fantastic again and the tone and atmosphere of the film is dark, scarier and full of suspense. The animatronics are better than ever and the special effects are the best seen in the franchise yet. Sam Neill is great again Dr. Alan Grant and saves the film of its weak story. People are too negative of Jurassic Park 3 and the Lost World, but for all of their faults, there's no denying their epic amounts of enjoyment. For as long as these films keep being made, I'll pay to watch them and enjoy them for what they are... Dinosaurs. That's the bottom line, there's no other Dinosaur films and I can't believe its 12 years and counting that we've waited for a forth instalment. Jurassic Park 4 has recently been announced and personally I cannot wait. It will be interesting to see whether they continue the story of start fresh, but either way I can't wait.