Film Review: Jurassic Park III (2001)

over 1 year ago (Edited)

(source: tmdb.org

Experience tells us that the third instalment is usually the point when the downward trajectory of a film series becomes impossible to ignore. Steven Spielberg was probably aware of this when he, after Jurassic Park and Lost World, decided not to direct the next sequel and thus preserve his high reputation. Task was taken by his friend and associate Joe Johnston, resulting in 2001 film Jurassic Park III.

The protagonist is Dr. Alan Grant (played by Sam Neill), palaeontologist who, after traumatic experiences with genetically reconstructed dinosaurs on Isla Nubar, decided to dedicate his career only to “pure” research based on fossils. However, one day he is visited by millionaire Paul Kirby (played by William H. Macy) and his ex-wife Amanda (played by Tea Leoni) and offered generous grant for his research if he is to serve as expert guide while flying over Isla Sorna or “Site B” where the dinosaurs are left to live without human supervision. After Grant and his assistant Billy Brennan (played by Alessandro Nivola) board the plane, they soon realise that the purpose of expedition isn’t tourism but rescue mission. Kirbys’ son Erik (played by Trevor Morgan) went missing while paragliding with Amanda’s boyfriend Ben (played by Mark Harelik). Kirbys, apart from Grant, also hired number of mercenaries that are supposed to provide security while they conduct the search. Grant doesn’t have much time to protest, because the expedition soon catches attention of tyrannosaur, spinosaur and other specimens of deadly fauna who apparently see humans as their favourite food. After their plane crashes, Grant and others are stuck on the island and forced to quickly find a way to survive.

Jurassic Park represents an improvement compared with Lost World, but this isn’t much of an achievement. Screenwriting team of Peter Buchman, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor didn’t exactly put much of an effort in creating interesting characters or plot; the script mostly serves as an excuse for couple of impressive and decently directed scenes. Although Joe Johnston, who had few years earlier had good results with Jumanji, shows some skills and enjoys benefits of improved CGI technology, most of the audience won’t be too thrilled. The main reason might be found in weak and mostly disinterested cast. Sam Neill tries to give some dignity to the project, Tea Leoni is dreadful and most of her acting is reduced to screaming; good character actor William H. Macy fails in misguided attempt to have his character work as some kind of comic relief. Most of the characters are written like idiots and only an occasional funny remark prevents viewers from rooting for dinosaurs who would eat them.

Even the dinosaurs, who are supposed to be the main stars of the film, aren’t very convincing. Tyrannosaur, once the apex predator, is here a second fiddle to much nastier and more dangerous spinosaur which, despite ability to defeat big prey like tyrannosaur, appears strangely attracted to hunting and eating puny humans. Velociraptors, the most impressive dinosaurs from previous two films, have here been transformed into semi-intelligent or highly intelligent beings on the level close to humans. They were also added feathers in line with palaeontological discoveries made after the premiere of the first film, so they look consistent. Pteranodons, huge flying reptiles that weren’t shown in Jurassic Park and were only glimpsed in Lost World, here have much more important role, with ending that would give a convenient excuse for future sequel. Deus ex machina ending, which would otherwise be intolerable, is looking better when being delivered after relatively short hour and half of running time. As such, Jurassic Park could be recommended to viewers that lack any better alternative. Despite good commercial results, reviews were mostly unenthusiastic and complained about of plot being repetitive. Furthermore, celebrated BBC documentary Walking with Dinosaurs have few years earlier showed that the audience can enjoy recreation of ancient animals without being subjected to Hollywood mediocrity. This probably led to next sequel not being made until Jurassic World a decade and half later.

RATING: 4/10 (+)