Jurassic Park

A fantastic blend of adventure, excellent popcorn action, and likeable main characters. Spielberg knows how to entertain people and he proves it to the dot here. The commercial success is completely understandable and it must be emphasized that it is well-deserved, too. Jurassic Park is most likely the best adventure film of all time and even for the umpteenth time, you cannot take your eyes off it. Just the scene of arrival on the island is breathtaking, even without the presence of a single dinosaur. It’s impossible to say with certainty whether Janusz Kaminski would have filmed it better, but the camera work is phenomenal here, as are the visual effects, everything is underscored by the unique John Williams, who deservedly won two Oscars that year. (15/06/2006)

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)

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)

Jurassic Park - two hours of SOMETHING that probably changed my life. A perfect film in every respect. No matter what anyone says, the special effects are still unrivalled today. I don't know how it's possible, but when I look at a giant Brachiosaurus, I feel like it's alive. The T-Rex or the raptors in the kitchen are equally creepy. Jurassic Park got me into movies - I've loved the silver screen ever since. It also taught me to appreciate film music and gave me a reason to adore John Williams. That Spielberg's direction is unparalleled probably does not need to be mentioned, as well as the performances of all the actors. Basically, this is a movie miracle. You know it by heart, but you always like to watch it again.___P.S. Crichton's book is better, but in this case I don't think the book-adaptation comparison is appropriate. It should be perceived as Crichton and Spielberg looking at the same thing, but through their own eyes. (19/09/2007)

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)