Sandi Hicks
When I first learned that I would be going to see “Jurassic Park” in its 3D remastered glory, I had a flashback to my 11 year old self sitting in a cinema in 1993, watching the Steven Spielberg masterpiece with my cousins. I remember it scared me. It scared me a lot.
Now its 2013, in a world where remasters and 3D re-releases are a popular choice for studios. The addition of 3D to this film has added a distinctive layer of scary, which is sure to thrill previous viewers, and those new to the story.
For those who never saw the original film that had its premiere 20 years ago, “Jurassic Park” (based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton) finds us on a journey to eccentric billionaire John Hammond’s (Richard Attenborough) remote island resort that is like no other on Earth. “The attractions are guaranteed to drive children out their minds!” Basically, it is promised to be the best theme park in the world – especially when you are constantly reminded that he’s “spared no expense.”
Allow me to set the scene for you.
Isla Nublar: a very small island that is approximately 120 miles from the Costa Rica coastline. Animal handlers and construction workers struggle to remove an animal from a container into a holding pen. A struggle ensues, leaving one worker dead and a mass panic amongst the other workers.
Next you see a mine in the Dominican Republic. The miners are digging for “Amber” for the genetic engineering company, InGen.
Scene change to Montana, where we are introduced to our two main characters, Dr. Alan Grant (Australia’s Sam Neill) and his assistant Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) – where they are uncovering the remains of a velociraptor at an archaeological dig. Enter John Hammond (Attenborough) who promises to fund their dig if the pair come out and endorse his latest project. That project, “Jurassic Park”.
Who’s coming to help endorse this park? Now you have two archaeologists, a chaos theorist Dr. Ian Malcom (played by Jeff Goldblum) and of course Hammond’s Lawyer, Donald Genarro (Martin Ferrero).
I remember the looks on Alan and Ellie’s faces when they first see the dinosaurs. It’s something that stays with you. I mean, they uncover the bones of these extinct creatures and then to see them living and breathing right in front of them… it’s a pretty surreal moment. “We’re gonna make a fortune off this place…a fortune…”. says Genarro.
So how did they do this? How do they have living, breathing dinosaurs at “Jurassic Park”? Hammond takes them on an interactive tour through the laboratories of the park, introducing them to the technology and scientists along the way. I remember being astounded watching these extinct creatures being brought to life with the idea what you could extract dinosaur DNA from fossilized amber that contained mosquitoes that bit the dinosaurs back when they roamed the Earth. They are taken to an incubator, and are witness to the birth of a baby velociraptor which disturbs Dr. Grant and he demands to see where the adults are housed.
This is where you see the facility from the first scene in the film. The fortress is surrounded by electrified fences and dense true-life. Here Grant is witness to the ‘raptors daily feeding. You see a cow lowered into the fortress. Thank goodness you don’t see its fate.
Alright, so it’s time for the Dinosaur Tour! Here’s where you throw in the addition of Hammond’s two grandchildren, Vegetarian ‘Lex’ (Ariana Richards) and the young dinosaur mad ‘Tim’ (Joseph Mazzello) who would be the park’s target audience. Alright guys, jump into the cars that will take you on a “safari” like experience through the park. With cars running on an electrified and computerised system.
So what are they getting themselves into? A glorified “Dinosaur Zoo”, right? Isn’t that a little bit dangerous? Nah! Not when you completely electrify the park so they can’t get in and out of their distinct paddocks. But wait for the plot twist, what would happen if there was a tropical storm that blew in combined with a disgruntled employee whose transgressions to make money for himself manage to take out the power to the whole island?
Ahhh yes, a scare the pants off you story. With a handful of scenes that will stay etched in your memory for years to come.
I don’t want to go further into the plot now, in case there are a few people out there who haven’t seen the movie, and want to go into the film spoiler free… Just make sure you get out there on April 4th and see the film, in all it’s 3-Dimensional Glory. And for those who have seen it, and loved it. You make sure you go out and see it again. I guarantee that a good time will be had by all.
Well… nearly all. The little girl next to me at my press screening was screaming her lungs out. My eardrums are still recovering.
I enjoyed this film as a child. I enjoyed it even more as an adult. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
