It’s been 31 years since I last saw a Jurassic Park film.
At the time we were in Delhi (where, after many decades, we now live again) and went to see the just-released-in-India Hollywood film “Jurassic Park” at the cinema in Priya…the cinema is still there, although much more glam than before. I remember quite a bit about the film, despite having my then toddler daughter sitting on my lap, her head buried in my chest every time the action got a bit scary, but constantly asking me “What’s happening, Mummy?”
Fast forward 3 decades and I thoroughly enjoyed this new iteration of what is essentially the same story.
Out of control scary dinosaurs vs a bunch of plucky humans, one of whom is very nerdy and fascinated by these creatures. And yes, I’m talking about the dishy Jonathan Bailey, who is a very engaging, likeable nerd.
The humans – some of whom are indeed plucky, one of whom is obnoxious, and a few who are simply innocent victims in the wrong bit of the ocean at the wrong time – band together (some of the time) as they try to accomplish a pseudo-scientific mission on an island inhabited by dinosaurs.
I thoroughly enjoyed the film, which has great visuals and effects, and manages to make the dinosaurs really terrifying – think the velociraptor-like creature pursuing the people who touched one of the eggs in her nest, all in the spirit of scientific/medical research.
The cast is top-notch.
Scarlett Johansson looks to be having the time of her life, laughing and smiling and gung-ho-ing her way through the film. She is one fabulous, eminently likeable powerhouse of a young woman:
She is brave and feisty, and just seems to be having so much fun!
Mahershala Ali is super, and his character is such a decent, good man that I for one was distraught when he tackles an especially dangerous dinosaur alone…
There is everything to like about this film.
Goodies.
One very unpleasant baddie.
A family with interesting teenage dynamics going on, in the midst of all the scary dinosaur drama.
Some seriously terrifying dinosaurs.
And Dolores the Aquilops, who is the cutest dinosaur imaginable, and – if there are further films – is clearly destined for stardom.
There is an absolutely beautiful, very emotional scene when Dr. Loomis actually touches one of the dinosaurs, and you can feel his overwhelming sense of awe at the sight of these creatures tenderly embracing:
This whole scene is beautifully done.
That whole interaction took me right back 31 years to the original Jurassic Park, where there was a beautiful scene of a valley, with lots of herbivores grazing – a sort of African savannah moment. I loved the reference in this movie:
A thoroughly enjoyable film.
Recommended.