|
|
Christian Indie Radio
GetChristianMusic
Solid Walnut Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devotionals
|
|
Cartoons
Culture
Family
Games
Health
Homeschooling
Humor
Inspiration
Kids
Men
Ministry
Parenting
Poetry
Teens
Women
|
|
Statement of Faith
Contact Us
|
|
|
|
Jurassic Park III
Review by Mike Furches (Mike's bio)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Original story by Michael Crichton
Writing credits: Peter Buchman, and Alexander Payne, & Jim Taylor
Sam Neill .... Dr. Alan Grant
William H. Macy .... Paul Kirby
Téa Leoni .... Amanda Kirby
Alessandro Nivola .... Billy Brennan
Trevor Morgan .... Eric Kirby
Michael Jeter .... Udesky
John Diehl .... Cooper
Bruce A. Young .... Nash
Laura Dern .... Dr. Ellie Sattler
Taylor Nichols .... Mark Degler
Mark Harelik .... Ben Julio
Oscar Mechoso .... Enrique Sarah
Danielle Madison .... Cheryl Logan
Linda Park .... Hannah
Produced by Larry J. Franco (producer), Kathleen Kennedy (producer), Steven Spielberg (executive producer), David Womark (associate producer)
Original music by Don Davis, John Williams (theme)
Cinematography by Shelly Johnson
Film Editing by Robert Dalva
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi terror and violence.
I am a fan of Michael Crichton and have read most of his books. The original book, Jurassic Park was laced with excellent concepts and Biblical truths as was the second book. Somewhere along the line, the movies lost much of the influence of the books and while it is generally said that books are never as good as the movie, I have found that to be a generalization and not always true.
There was a great deal of hope since the 3rd segment would pick up where the first two movies left off and address some of the material left out in the first two movies. While there were several fun aspects to the movie and some good message themes I still felt somewhat disappointed.
One note of comment here has to be made in regards to the many parents who take their children to the movie thinking that it is going to be fun family fare. This movie, in many regards, is no different than the first two. While there is a worthwhile story line the movie does include large, scary, dinosaurs that choose on occasion to eat people. It is scary and gross at parts and I would strongly discourage parents from taking very young children. Please listen to this caution before taking your children, paying for a movie ticket, and then getting up and walking out in the early scenes of the movie. This will save you money and the other patrons will not be distracted. While Planet of the Apes for example leaves a lot to the imagination, JP III does not and there is ample violence in the film.
There are a number of things in the film that I appreciated within the story line. The concept that we can not escape our past is evident in JP III. Dr. Alan Grant is once again taken back to his past to deal with the horrors that he once experienced. It is a good thing that he is along. Due to his experience of having to fight and survive the attacks of the enemies, the dinosaurs, he offers the viewers as well as characters of the film some hope. This time he has a rag tag group that he is largely responsible for having to help and lead. JP III and its portrayal of Grant in many ways portrays the way Satan can use our past to deceive us and cause us to focus on things that we would just as soon forget.
Along the way Grant leads a family in the search of their lost child. Eric, played by Trevor Morgan is a young boy para-sailing off of the cost of Isla Sorna, Ingen's Site B. While para-sailing with his mother's new boyfriend, tragedy strikes and the two eventually end up on the island with all of the dinosaurs. Eric's parents, played nicely by Téa Leoni and wonderful character actor William H. Macy obtain the services of Udesky, played again by another wonderful character actor Michael Jeter of The Green Mile, The Boys Next Door and other wonderful films. Their deceptive methods take this Enid, Oklahoma couple into the horrors of man's attempt to, as Grant puts it, "play God." As a result of men pretending that they know best, others have to suffer for the foolishness of those who thought they were wise.
The consequences of man's attempt of playing God are wonderfully portrayed in the concept of Jurassic Park III. It is a concept which we are addressing now in our world with the concepts of cloning and genetic research. While 10 years ago JP III would have been perceived as being Science Fiction it could now be perceived as being Science Possibility. If we are reminded of anything from this film it should be that we can not improve on the creation of God. When God made the earth he saw each part of the creation as being either "good" or "very good." Through man's attempt at mirroring God and taking things into our own hands we see the consequences that ultimately can lead to distraction. From this perspective the JP films address real issues that face our world each day.
Another theme strongly portrayed in Jurassic Park III is the tragedy of the break up of the family. Only the threat of losing a son can bring a family back together. It is from some wonderful scenes that we see Eric's mother and father, Amanda and Paul, noticing each other and depending on each other that we as the audience wonder, why did they ever break up to begin with? Later on in the film, Eric is even surprised that they are working together to rescue him. If they had only shown that type of love earlier than maybe he would never have been in the danger he is in the film. This also mirrors the horrors and effects in our world that exist in part due to the break up of the family.
There are a number of other plot twists along the way that keep the film moving along and the movie even throws in a shock scene now and then. It is also nice to see Sam Neill back in the JP series along with Laura Dern. Both actors do a decent job of reprising their roles although I would have preferred they been in the film even more, especially Laura Dern. That is due in part to the 90 minute time of the movie. This film could have been tied together much more nicely with an additional 30 - 45 minutes.
While there are some redeeming value and messages to the film I was still, none the less, frankly disappointed. The story was not developed nearly as well as the earlier two films and I never thought they were exceptional films. JP III is still a fun film but, just that, a fun film with some decent value traits being portrayed.
JP III is certainly worth waiting for seeing at the discount theater house. On a scale of 1 - 10, an o.k. 5.
Copyright 2001, Mike Furches. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
|
About Mike Furches: Mike is the senior pastor of United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kansas. The church, located in the inner city of Wichita has a unique ministry to former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others often neglected by the church. Mike also is involved in freelance writing and speaks nationally. Check out his web page for more information: http://www.furches.org/ E-mail Mike |
|
|
|