Jurassic World

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 2:51 pm

I have seen the original, in bits and pieces, maybe fifty times, because it's always on HBO or some shit late at night. And yet, I don't totally love it.

I saw it at a sneak preview the day before it opened, and while I was of course wowed by the technology and the realism of the dinos, I thought other than that it was one of Spielberg's lesser works. I gave it three stars at the time, just for being an awesome (in the true meaning) spectacle, with some great action sequences.

Jurassic World follows the formula almost to a tee, and almost too well. You can draw almost direct lines between the characters in this movie and their echoes in the 1993 version, and for that it almost feels more like a remake than a sequel at times. There's no Jeff Goldblum character, is all.

Here's the thing, the new versions of these characters are, all in all, better than the originals. Chris Pratt is more likable than Sam Neill. The kids are less annoying. And as your two-dimensional obnoxious bad guy that you can't wait to die, I mean, Vincent D'onofrio vs. Wayne Knight, you pick.

There's plenty of spectacle, even though now we've sort of seen it all. There are some great action sequences. The ending is remarkably satisfying, if a bit telegraphed.

So in the end, I think outdoes the original in many ways except "wow-factor". And winds up being just as good a movie.

Three stars.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 10:16 am

I don't remember if Spielberg directed or produced JP, but the problem with his stuff is that the characters he likes are never in any danger. Nothing bad ever happens to them. They don't even get spoken to harshly. It's his greatest limitation as a director and certainly comes into play with a movie about dinosaurs chomping people.

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:19 am

Ice Cream Jonsey wrote:but the problem with his stuff is that the characters he likes are never in any danger. Nothing bad ever happens to them.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:37 am

There is death in his movies, sure.

John Miller in Saving Private Ryan gets shot, but then blows up a tank and makes a 5 minute long speech. This is not Wash getting impaled in Serenity.

I can't remember how much Brodie suffers in Jaws and I've never seen Schindler's List. Is the girl in the red jacket the one from the Louie C.K. bit where she says, "Goodbye, Jews!" Because that girl did have something bad happen to her, in so much as the Jews got rescued, got their own country and created a new society.

But having a heroic death is very Spielberg! You just activated my trap card!

pinback · Post by **pinback** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 12:14 pm

Ugh.

Okay, now I'm leaving too.