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Jurassic Park III

By Alex Terry

When I sat down to see Jurassic Park III, I expected this new addition to the trilogy would quickly become as old as the dinosaurs in it. I mean, the second film- Jurassic Park: Lost World- didn't expand too much (unless you count the T- Rex running loose in San Diego). But this movie surprised me when I found myself enjoying it and actually rooting for the humans instead of the dinosaurs. While this movie was not directed by Steven Spielberg, he chose Joe Johnston (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, October Sky, The Rocketeer, Jurnanji) to direct this film who does a very good job.

Jurassic Park III takes off with Alan Grant (Sam Neil) struggling to find funding for his dinosaur digs. A wealthy aristocrat couple (William H. Macy and Tea Leoni) convince him to fly them over Site B (the same place as Jurassic Park: Lost World) for a generous donation to his digs. However, this sightseeing tour is actually a rescue mission for their 14-year old son. Despite warnings from Grant, they land on the island and eventually crash on the island. They must find their way to the coast so they can escape.

Now, while the plot has been used and re-used in the previous movies, it actually takes some new ground that the other two didn't. The dinosaurs are as menacing (and real) as ever. Early in the movie, there is a fight between the T- Rex and the new Spinasarus. While the movie is short, it is also entertaining to see the two brutes biting and clawing each other until the Spinasarus simply chomps on the Rex's head and snaps the neck. Fans of the first two movies should definitely see Jurassic Park III.

While this movie may be entertaining, there are also some faults. The first two movies were over two hours long. This one barely breaks 90 minutes. I was sorely disappointed in that because I was really enjoying it and they had just hooked me with the pterodactyl fight and the Spinasarus suddenly showing up when they get saved. I couldn't believe it! While other critics have been cutting this movie down because of plot, I believe

that since this is the third movie, I don't see how you could expand the plot as much as people get trapped on an island with dinosaurs and eventually escape. The other fault is that the dinosaurs are geniuses. The velociraptors can communicate, set traps, and think and plan. They actually rival the others in intelligence at times. Also, the kid survives for eight weeks by himself. Eight weeks on a dinosaur-infested island! The last fault is the ending. After being chased by pterodactyls, Spinasarus, and velociraptors (all in one night I might add) they arrive on a beach to see the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, you name it, sitting on the beach. They then get on a helicopter and fly away. Had there been a different ending, then this movie would have had a higher score.

All in all, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone, but especially to fans of the series. Despite a few faults, the movie was incredible. I have listed my scorecard below with five stars being the highest rating.

Special Effects:

Entertaining:

Plot:

Acting:

Overall Grade: