Jurassic Park III

A laid-back action ride disrupted by only a few slow moving "family" scenes. It was an excellent idea to bring Sam Neill's character back into the game, because if it weren't for Dr. Grant and the flying lizards (after a long wait, the pterosaurs from Crichton's original reappear) it would have ultimately been a much weaker movie. However, Joe Johnston didn't disgrace the previous Jurassic Parks, and considering he's taking the reins from one of the best film directors, much more could have gone wrong. As far as the music side is concerned, John Williams is missing, and in places it is quite evident. (30/07/2006)

An unashamed B-movie riding a dime-novel, King Kong-style wave. It has nothing whatsoever to do with part one, but nor is it as completely brain-dead as part two. This is mainly thanks to the sensible length and solid pace. The effects aren’t always completely well-done and not even the dinosaurs that did much to save the previous parts aren’t really up to their ancestors. Plus, thanks to the constant escapades and running away from carnivorous predators, there wasn’t enough time for any feeling of wonder and “cute" scenes with herbivores. But at least those carnivores meet a sticky end. (26/01/2007)

High-quality craftsmanship that honestly fulfilled the mediocre screenwriting ambitions. The two biggest dinosaurs are shown to us right from the start, followed by a lot of solid action (and inherent illogic), and in the last third we get a very enjoyable and previously unseen airborne surprise. All of this packed into a short runtime that won’t let you look at your watch even once. (10/08/2002)

Relatively decent entertainment that doesn't pretend to be an action blockbuster because it's not. It's the shortest, least extravagant, but possibly also the most dynamic. We are introduced to a truly blessed amount of dinosaurs, with the two largest ones practically at the beginning. The action is quite imaginative, occasionally too focused on the visual effects, but it can be endured. It's not Spielberg's grandeur, but this time it doesn't matter. Sam Neill is equally good, and the others have nothing to be ashamed of. The third time around, the fun is slightly exhausted, but for a single watch? Why not. (17/06/2006)

Yes, yes, action, fun, dinosaurs, great special effects... But the original magic is gone. Spielberg is simply missing from Jurassic Park. I didn't even get the feeling that the lizards were alive this time. Of the three stars, one goes to Sam Neill, one to ILM and Stan Winston, and one to the action sequences (the dinosaur fight, the Pteranodon cage). (19/09/2007)