The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Gems: Jurassic Park (1993)

How do you choose what to watch on all those streaming services you have access to? There are so many options that it is just overwhelming. These services constantly release new content and overshadow all the great films from the past that are already there and ready to watch. Now there is The Wasteland Gems! Here is a great film on streaming right now that you should check out this weekend:

Jurassic Park (1993)

How many films out there are “perfect” films? When a film can deliver in every aspect and has no glaring flaws, it is quite miraculous. This is an impossible feat to have a film that is perfect. There are films though that work for you on every level. Jurassic Park is one such film. Steven Spielberg created something quite compelling when he took a violent, technical, science fiction story from Michael Crichton. This is not a perfect adaptation of the novel in tone and violence. What Spielberg does is take the skeleton and turn it into a rich, emotive, and impressive cinematic achievement that has been part of the pop culture zeitgeist for the past 30 years plus. This is an all-time great film…no notes.

What makes this film still speak to audiences decades later? Spielberg finds the perfect balance between relatable human experiences and bigger ideas that hit the audience from a more philosophical perspective. The dynamic between Dr. Alan Grant and the two children in the film is so important. We learn from early on that Grant does not have a good dynamic with kids. We see him tear down a kid intellectually in an early scene. But the trauma bonding that Grant has with these two kids allows the fatherly elements of being to come to the surface. He protects them. Jokes with them. Cares for them. This is a heartwarming dynamic that connects so well with the audience. Then you have the “headier” elements of the film. Dr. Ian Malcolm delivers the thesis between “If you can” and “If you should”. This is the question whenever anything with science influenced advancement comes to play. The story of these dinosaurs is our relationship with artificial intelligence in 2025. We can…but should we? Spielberg’s film is so much more intelligent than many other films that just throw dinosaurs at you. This is a poignant and thoughtful exploration of ethics for sure.

What makes this experience engrossing as an experience? The movie magic leveraged to bring these dinosaurs to life is something to behold. Originally conceived as stop motion creations like good old-fashioned Ray Harryhausen monsters, Spielberg and his effects team chose to go in a bolder, new direction. There are animatronics for sure and they look so life-like in texture, movement, and design. When you have something tangible on screen for the actors to explore, the experience for the audience will feel quite authentic. The CGI in the film holds up quite well too even after over 30 years. The time and details were the real stars of this effort as they painstakingly crafted these digital renders to bring them to life on the big screen. Along with John Williams’ beautiful and iconic score, that sequence where they see dinosaurs for the first time is a truly miraculous feat of cinematic magic.

What elements really give Spielberg’s iconic film so much life and personality? The characters and the actors who were perfectly cast to bring them to life, of course. Sam Neill is such a wonderful actor who brings grouchiness, a boy-like wonder in the dinosaur scenes, and a pragmatic view that grounds much of the film. Laura Dern is lovely and balances a charming demeanor and toughness so well in the film. Jeff Goldblum is a textbook example of giving an actor space to craft such a memorable supporting character with endless charisma and personality. Goldblum has never been so…Goldblum. Richard Attenborough was perfectly cast as a small, unassuming, and eccentric billionaire who has a tinge of darkness underneath and a bit of an edge. The most fun elements certainly come from the group of character actor performances in smaller roles. Bob Peck makes Muldoon the blueprint for all pragmatic and intense hunters in film for the past 30 years (they even had to basically remake him for the sequel since his presence felt so essential). And Peck (along with Goldblum) delivers some of the best lines in the whole film. Samuel L. Jackson was not quite the megastar that he is now, but Mr. Arnold is a memorable, chain-smoking tech guy who delivers some great moments. Wayne is an absolute delight as Nedry, the human antagonist of the tale. His wild energy and extremely satisfying death are some highlights. Even Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello carry their weight in some intense scenes.

Do I need to say more? Jurassic Park is a towering achievement of cinema. Spielberg crafted one of the greatest genre films of all time. There are so many thrills to enjoy yet so much to ponder and think about as well. The casting is perfect. The characters are so memorable. The narrative is tight and engaged. The writing from Koepp and Crichton is sharp. If you haven’t seen it, do it now! If you have…it is always worth a rewatch anyway.

Jurassic Park is streaming on Netflix.