Loonatic's Favorite Dinosaur Movies
1. Jurassic Park (1993)
Two paleontologists are recruited by their patron to consult on a zoological park off Costa Rica. It seems a strange request, but once they arrive on Isla Nublar their life-long dreams of seeing dinosaurs in the flesh are granted. But behind the advanced genetics and extensive precautions of this park lie a series of fatal flaws. With the threats of bad weather and industrial sabotage hanging over the park, life is about to find a way...
In sheer effort and popularity, Jurassic Park is sure to be at the top of most dinosaur movie lists. Adapted from an excellent book by Michael Crichton, it delivers as a great stand-alone action and scifi adventure. As effects go this movie was way ahead of its time, and struck a great balance of using practical animatronics and CGI. It's part of the genius of this work in that it truly makes these dinosaur believable even to this day and reveals both the awe and the terror of inhabiting the same space with such species. Director Steven Spielberg plays up the same themes of "don't screw with nature" as he did with Jaws, the acting is top notch across the board, and John William's soundtrack captures the scope and majesty of the undertaking. While the sequels have variable quality and watchability, this one stands tall and has inspired more Syfy channel knock-offs than you can shake a stick at (and then be eaten messily by a Dilophosaurus).
2. The Lost World (1992)
Young reporter Edward Malone is hungry for a chance to prove himself. He certainly gets his wish when he endeavors to interview the famously vitriolic Professor Challenger, is able to accompany an expedition full of unusual characters to an isolated plateau in Africa. The way is long and dangerous, but to the joy of the party they find an enduring eden full of dinosaurs. Still the trouble is just beginning, as they must face dangerous wildlife, shady characters, and confront the ancient mysteries of the plateau. Will the intrepid adventurers live to share their remarkable discoveries, or will they fall prey to the deadly secrets of the Lost World?
This movie is so dumb I love it. The effects are awful, the acting is terrible, but the ride is so cheesy and fun that it's worth it. I don't know what the heck John Rhys-Davies is doing here but he nails the bombast of Challenger and gets to say ridiculous stuff. Also there is equally delightful sequel in Return to the Lost World, great for a double feature on a weekend afternoon.
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)
Eccentric Professor Lytton of Boston is equally at home delivering new geological theories and developing left hooks. But when he's approached by the wealthy Alice Hastings with a proposal to lead an expedition to New Zealand to seek her missing husband, he'll need the help of his timid nephew and some unexpected collaborators to venture into the unknown. Seeking a passage into the center of the earth, they encounter hardships, strange creatures, lost civilizations, and even sentient saurians in their quest. With such wonders and dangers, will the intrepid party prevail? Or will they become lost to the vast world beneath our feet?
There are a ridiculous number of Journey to the Center of the Earth adaptations, and I'd say all of them have some level of cheese. But this mini-series version happens to be a favorite, striking a good balance of CGI and practical effects with their meager budget. For a B-level film it manages to actually make the subterranean world feel special and unusual, and their on location New Zealand shoots creates an interesting frame for the journey. The acting is not great, but not so bad that it gets in the way of the story. Like the one before, this is also a good afternoon movie.
Two paleontologists are recruited by their patron to consult on a zoological park off Costa Rica. It seems a strange request, but once they arrive on Isla Nublar their life-long dreams of seeing dinosaurs in the flesh are granted. But behind the advanced genetics and extensive precautions of this park lie a series of fatal flaws. With the threats of bad weather and industrial sabotage hanging over the park, life is about to find a way...
In sheer effort and popularity, Jurassic Park is sure to be at the top of most dinosaur movie lists. Adapted from an excellent book by Michael Crichton, it delivers as a great stand-alone action and scifi adventure. As effects go this movie was way ahead of its time, and struck a great balance of using practical animatronics and CGI. It's part of the genius of this work in that it truly makes these dinosaur believable even to this day and reveals both the awe and the terror of inhabiting the same space with such species. Director Steven Spielberg plays up the same themes of "don't screw with nature" as he did with Jaws, the acting is top notch across the board, and John William's soundtrack captures the scope and majesty of the undertaking. While the sequels have variable quality and watchability, this one stands tall and has inspired more Syfy channel knock-offs than you can shake a stick at (and then be eaten messily by a Dilophosaurus).
2. The Lost World (1992)
Young reporter Edward Malone is hungry for a chance to prove himself. He certainly gets his wish when he endeavors to interview the famously vitriolic Professor Challenger, is able to accompany an expedition full of unusual characters to an isolated plateau in Africa. The way is long and dangerous, but to the joy of the party they find an enduring eden full of dinosaurs. Still the trouble is just beginning, as they must face dangerous wildlife, shady characters, and confront the ancient mysteries of the plateau. Will the intrepid adventurers live to share their remarkable discoveries, or will they fall prey to the deadly secrets of the Lost World?
This movie is so dumb I love it. The effects are awful, the acting is terrible, but the ride is so cheesy and fun that it's worth it. I don't know what the heck John Rhys-Davies is doing here but he nails the bombast of Challenger and gets to say ridiculous stuff. Also there is equally delightful sequel in Return to the Lost World, great for a double feature on a weekend afternoon.
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)
Eccentric Professor Lytton of Boston is equally at home delivering new geological theories and developing left hooks. But when he's approached by the wealthy Alice Hastings with a proposal to lead an expedition to New Zealand to seek her missing husband, he'll need the help of his timid nephew and some unexpected collaborators to venture into the unknown. Seeking a passage into the center of the earth, they encounter hardships, strange creatures, lost civilizations, and even sentient saurians in their quest. With such wonders and dangers, will the intrepid party prevail? Or will they become lost to the vast world beneath our feet?
There are a ridiculous number of Journey to the Center of the Earth adaptations, and I'd say all of them have some level of cheese. But this mini-series version happens to be a favorite, striking a good balance of CGI and practical effects with their meager budget. For a B-level film it manages to actually make the subterranean world feel special and unusual, and their on location New Zealand shoots creates an interesting frame for the journey. The acting is not great, but not so bad that it gets in the way of the story. Like the one before, this is also a good afternoon movie.
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