In 1993, Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" (based on the best-selling novel by Michael Crichton) broke box-office records, took a quantum leap forward in its near-seamless melding of animatronic and computer-generated effects, and in the space of two hours made audiences believe that dinosaurs once again walked the earth. It was a revolutionary cinematic achievement, yes, but it never lost sight of its heart and its ability to mount sequences of heart-stopping suspense. Two sequels followed—1997's bloated, occasionally involving, decidedly lesser "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," again directed by Spielberg, and Joe Johnston's tauter, leaner 2001 installment "Jurassic Park III"—but neither one could quite live up to the magic and novelty of the groundbreaking original picture.
Fourteen years after the last installment was released, the franchise has been resurrected with the long-awaited "Jurassic World." Anticipation levels have been understandably high leading up to its release, and fortunately the finished product lives up to the hype. Providing all of the elements fans could hope for—white-knuckle tension; an inviting cast of characters; a moralistic, socially conscious plot; touches of reassuring humanity; judiciously used dinos galore—the film catapults itself into a fresh, complicated era of the here and now while remaining true to the kind of high-concept, cunningly conceived storytelling of which the best summer blockbusters are made. For writer-director Colin Trevorrow, whose only previous feature was 2012's indie sci-fi/comedy "Safety Not Guaranteed," this is a radical step forward in his filmmaking career. It is safe to say that "Jurassic World" most definitely reminds of a ripe Spielbergian vintage.
See Dustin Putman, TheFilmFile.com. for full review
