Jurassic Park

A flawless example of integrating CGI into the narrative. Thanks to the fact that dinosaurs also appear as attractions in the fictional world and the characters perceive them as such, they film still has a palpable “wow” effect to this day (exemplary in this respect is the scene in which the main characters first see the dinosaurs in all their glory). At the same time, it is an excellent (or reprehensible, depending on how much you despise capitalism) example of how to incorporate merchandising into the story (the uniformity of the film’s logo and the park’s logo, the “incidentally” filmed gift-shop selection). Jurassic Park is a self-assured Hollywood product that gives you your money’s worth by providing superior entertainment that works in every respect. What fascinates me the most is that its effectiveness, which only a few directors have come close to matching, comes across as simply a matter of course. 85% (15/03/2014)

An icon to which I owe much, and I’m not exaggerating. When I was little, it made me fall in love with Hollywood big movies, and with the passing of the years and with each new viewing, it has enriched me with more and more discoveries of how to make a perfectly polished and narrated Hollywood big movie. The immense ease with which the story is carried, unravelled and concluded is only a reflection of the meticulously thought-out screenwriting process and the result of Steven Spielberg's admirable work. Even after at least the fiftieth time, it makes me so happy to get carried away by the initial ideal family idyll, which gradually and smoothly turns into a thrilling adventure ride with the raptors that the film tastefully and systematically introduces in the opening scene. Spielberg's production design and Williams' brilliant score cause goosebumps with unlimited staying power, and the stunts just don't get any better or more believable. I love this film, its characters, its world, its story full of timeless directorial tricks (the vibrating water surface, the tree, the rebooting of the system...), and I love the unprecedented aware merchandising. Iconic status with capital I. (20/08/2018)

This is one of the movie milestones of my childhood. This gave me the initial impulse (as a kid) to start looking at movies in greater detail. Spielberg’s adaptation of Crichton’s novel “Jurassic Park" appeared from out of the blue at a time when dinosaurs were my whole life. Back then this was in short "mind-blending" for me ;) . First the digital effects and second the excellent directing and great acting performances make Jurassic Park a breathtaking watch, even thirteen years later. Mainly Sam Neill put on a perfect performance. Then of course the Tyrannosaurus and not to forget Sam Jackson and his “Mr Arnold". And there’s one more name to mention. John Williams. (16/07/2006)

The older I get, the more Jurassic Park matures from an adventurous attraction for the whole family into an honorable classic that may never age. The first brachiosaurus, the first T-Rex roar, the first electric shock. And the first film where I can't say a word about the tricks when looking at the dinosaurs. The fact that this relentless ride comes from Steven Spielberg's workshop is a point in itself. (28/11/2011)

“Life, uh... finds a way”. I've loved dinosaurs and everything related to them since I was a kid – from encyclopedias, to museums, to feature films and documentaries – and Spielberg's Jurassic Park is at the top of the list for me in terms of feature films about these prehistoric lizards. I've seen it several times now, and even though it's been a whopping thirty years since its premiere, it still manages to mesmerise me to the hilt. The film breathtakingly manages to breathe life into the long-extinct creatures that once dominated the land, sea and airspace, bringing them closer to the audience in a supremely authentic way. In addition to the stunning work with animatronics and the incredible visual effects, the makers "spared no expense" on the sounds of the dinosaurs, which feel truly believable (even if it is essentially a reconstruction). The scenes with the escape from the T-Rex and from the kitchen with the velociraptors still take my breath away. But Jurassic Park wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the casting, with Jeff Goldblum and the young Joseph Mazzello entertaining me the most. Last but not least, I can't forget the wonderful musical score by John Williams, which wraps-up the unique audiovisual experience that Jurassic Park was, is, and will be - "We spared no expense." (03/04/2023)