Warning: Some of the more frum patrons at bangitout.com should
not read movie reviews during the nine-days.
Last summer during the American League pennant race I ran into
fellow film critic Jeffrey Lyons in the New York City subway
system and he was wearing a very offensive Boston Redsox cap.
At the time, he was talking sports only, so I didn't get a chance
to impress him with my vast knowledge of Patrick Dempsey movies
and besides, I didn't recognize him until someone told me who
he was after he had left the train. The other night I ran into
the bow-tied gentleman again, but this time we came across each
other as I was watching TV in Queens and he was inside the TV
talking about the new Jurassic Park movie. Now I know that we
don't agree in sports or movies. But not so shockingly, we do
agree that the Mets suck.
I'm not sure if it's proper etiquette to bring up other reviews
in your own (it seems wrong) but I need to begin by bringing
up a point that is troubling a number of people about this movie.
The biggest complaint I have heard is that Jurassic Park III
is merely more of the same. More dinosaurs terrorizing humans,
more running and hiding, and more disbelief at the monstrosities
that reckless man has unleashed. My question to these people
who are disturbed by the repetitiveness is, "Have you seen
the first two movies?" and if so, "Why would you not
want more?" These computer generated and mega-puppet dinosaurs
are absolute marvels and every scene where they lurk, snarl,
or rampage steal the oxygen from your ever-pounding heart. So
before we can criticize the movie itself, which unfortunately
is a little too easy, it is important to realize that the price
of admission is paid in full immediately following the terrifying
and mesmerizing Pteranodons sequence.
Regardless of some of the great moments you will see in the
movie, you may leave feeling cheated. This is probably a result
of the annoyingly paltry 90 minute running time, and the fact
that the first Jurassic Park blew you away- while this one,
by comparison, only satiated your appetite for a new JP installment,
but didn't nearly excite you the same way again. There is also
the business of Joe Johnston (Jumanji) running the show here,
while Spielberg remained behind the scenes as Executive Producer.
Spielberg is only missed in the details; we don't get the sensitivity
that Spielberg magically infuses his movies with. That one shot
here or there is the Spielberg genius that brings humanity or
comedic irony to the surface of even the most supernatural of
moments. Johnston does a creditable job of keeping the action
taught and the pace running smoothly and speedily.
However the most valid grievance is the skimpy running time.
This makes the movie get to the meat too quickly and not allow
us to savor the feast, before it is rushed back into the kitchen.
The makers of this movie clearly have one intent - Show the
people the dinosaurs! The plot is set up rapidly so that the
people can be shown the dinosaurs! An ex-couple (a dowdy looking
Tea Leoni and William H. Macy being his uneasy self) are looking
for their son who was lost on the dinosaur island after a para-sailing
accident. They recruit Dr Grant. (Sam Neil nobly reprising his
role) and a few thugs to assist in the dangerous rescue (we
know the thugs are really just extra dinosaur food the second
we see them). Luckily for the audience, Dr. Grant brings along
his young protégé who is played by Alessandro
Nivola. Mr. Nivola is someone who can hold our attention and
he creates a very interesting character out of a minor role.
He did the same feet, but to a more impressive extent, as Pollux
Troy in the movie Face/Off. Here is a spoiler so don't read
the rest of this paragraph if you plan to see the movie - It
is my hope that this franchise continues with at least one other
movie and it is my opinion that the future of the franchise
rests in this talented actors hands.
If you got a problem with the simplicity or far-fetched nature
(I'm being kind) of the plot, so be it. But, I came to see real
as day dinosaurs thrashing human flesh and the narrowest of
escapes and I was not let down in that regard. Sure, I could
have asked for more, but you know what? You could always ask
for more of a good thing, but be happy with what you have, and
in this case, its good, old, heart-pounding action.
Trivia 1 - Which former Jurassic
Park star is competing with this summer's sequel with a successful
movie of their own? This question is easy as beans.
Trivia 2 - Name two actors in
this movie who have played family members to Nicolas Cage in
two separate films and name the films.
