Jurassic Park III Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)August 29th, 2001
JURASSIC PARK III (2001) / * 1/2
Directed by Joe Johnston. Screenplay by Peter Buchman, Alexander Payne, and Jim Taylor, based on characters created by Michael Crichton. Starring Sam Neill, William H Macy, Tea Leoni. Running time: 94 minutes. Rated AA by the MFCB. Reviewed on August 15th, 2001.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Original "Jurassic Park" survivor Alan Grant (Neill) is tricked by Paul and Amanda Kirby (Macy and Leoni) into leading an expedition to an island overrun by dinosaur, to rescue their stranded son. Grant's team is picked off one by one as they encounter dinosaurs both new and familiar, and Grant grows to realise that some breeds are more intelligent than he previously thought.
Review: There is one reason why "Jurassic Park III" is better than its immediate predecessor, "The Lost World: Jurassic Park". The latter wasted 129 minutes of my life; the former, only 94. The first "Park" was a marvellous film, full of awe-inspiring sights, interesting characters, and genuine thrills. Its two successors have been pale imitations, amounting to hundred-million-dollar B-grade horror movies. At least this third entry realises it; whereas "The Lost World" tried to justify its existence with a ludicrous and overextended plot, "Jurassic Park III" simply sticks its characters on an island with a bunch of dinosaurs and lets the mayhem begin. There is a desperate sense of deja vu presiding over this movie; the computer-animated dinos are no longer novel or exciting, and even the first-time presence of aerial lizards scarcely improves the situation. Remember that wondrous first trolley ride through the Park in the original movie? Nothing in this rehash even comes close. Add in execrable dialogue from screenwriters Buchman, Payne and Taylor, and phoned-in performances by the normally capable Macy and Leoni, and it is difficult to recommend the film to anyone but dino enthusiasts. At least Neill makes some effort to retain the dignity of his character, and there is much less gore than in "The Lost World", making this installment more suitable for children.
Copyright © 2001 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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