Business Tycoon John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) has created a brand new theme park that features real life dinosaurs, cloned from DNA found in mosquitoes frozen in amber. But when a worker is killed by one of the attractions his investors threaten to pull out unless the park is endorsed by experts. So a test run of the park is organised with three specialists in their fields, a lawyer and Hammond’s two young grandchildren.
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park takes its time to introduce its characters. Withholding the dinosaurs and the spectacular and tense action until it really means something. Because it is only with its perfectly formulated characters that the terror of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the smarts of a pack of Velociraptors become truly powerful in their impact on the viewer. The series of character introductions that open the film are brilliant.
Gennaro (Martin Ferraro) who acts as a lawyer for Hammond’s investors is introduced as he follows a “digger” into a mine as they search for mosquitos trapped in amber. He explains that he has only been able to secure the services of an expert in chaos theory who is famous right now. We instantly know that he is only interested in legal liability and the profit the park could make.
Muldoon (Bob Peck) who is the parks game keeper is seen managing the transfer of an animal in the park. When something goes wrong he is seen desperately trying to save his worker, as the rain pours down on him he bellows “Shoot her! Shoot her!” A man of character who respects the ferocity of the animals whilst trying to protect life.
Nedry (Wayne Knight) who is the true villain of the piece. A slob in a Hawaiian shirt eating what appears to be the entire menu in the Costa Rican cafe that he is at whilst mocking the man who has bribed him to steal embryos from the park. “Dodgson, we’ve got Dodgson here!” It’s a brilliant introduction to the most self important techie who seems unable to understand other perspectives.
But it is probably palaeontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) who gets the absolute best opening. A man who despises technology so much that it stops working when he touches it chooses to educate a small boy by explaining how a velociraptor would gut him and eat him whilst he was still alive. All with a real life fossilised claw to help demonstrate the act. Of course his partner Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) is keen for them to have kids so the fact that he then gets thrust in charge of saving Hammond’s grandchildren later acts as a perfect growth moment. When Hammond then flies his helicopter in to their dig site moments later to explain what he wants them to do, popping their champagne and buying their time; “Spared no expense” we understand his joviality is mixed with a sense of naivety and arrogance.
These fascinating characters are coupled with so many other brilliant moments in the film. Hammond’s intro to the park featuring the “Mr. DNA” cartoon is a brilliant plot exposition moment that works within the confines of the story, is humorous and expertly slices through the difficult concept for both adults and children. Dr. Malcom’s (Jeff Goldblum) hilarious flirting with Dr. Sattler gives them a perfect means to say that “chaos theory” just means anything can and will happen. The first time the characters see dinosaurs is a scene that will be ingrained in so many peoples minds as Sam Neill removes his sunglasses in awe as he stands up in the jeep taking them through the valleys. The T-Rex chase in the rain. The Velociraptors in the kitchen. John Williams soaring score that is up there with his best themes.
Perhaps it is just the fact that I watched this film on release in the cinema when I was an impressionable twelve years old. But there are so many quotable lines and memorable scenes all wrapped up in a film where every character feels like someone you could know. (I work in IT and I have absolutely met a Dennis Nedry!) The action makes your palms sweaty and the comedy moments make you laugh out loud.
David Koepp’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s fantastic novel is exceptional as it takes the core of the characters and plot and makes them palatable for a family friendly rip roaring adventure movie. As an aside I would wholly recommend you read the book as well because it gives a slightly darker telling that is different enough to make it thoroughly worthwhile.
Oh and yes the dinosaurs look and sound fantastic in what at the time was absolutely groundbreaking special effects. But the fact that this is a final thought after talking about the character is what makes the film so special.
An absolute classic.
If you want to read more of my opinions on Jurassic Park/World check these out:
Phil the Bear's Film Reviews 
7 thoughts on “Jurassic Park (1993)”