Movie Thoughts: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

• Released: May 19th, 1997
• Directed by: Steven Spielberg
• Running time: 2h 9min
• Rating 3/5

Synopsis

Ian Malcolm goes to another dinosaur-inhabited island when he learns that his girlfriend has gone there to research the dinosaurs. He hopes to rescue her, but ends up in a much bigger adventure than he anticipated. 

My Thoughts

As much as I like the first Jurassic Park...yeah, this is a huge step down. It's by far not the worst sequel to a great movie I've ever seen, but compared to the original this is pretty dang weak. 

I do still appreciate this movie for some neat use of practical effects (animatronics my beloved) and I especially like some of the set pieces here, they're really unique and rival that of the first movie. That scene with the trailer over the cliff, or the T. rex in the city, those are genuinely great.

But then there's also the fact that our characters are...kinda idiots in this. As much as I'm an animal lover, I don't think I'd ever bring a baby T. rex into my trailer when its parents are near, or take away people's bullets on an island filled with dinosaurs. I don't hate the characters or anything, but they feel so incompetent when compared to the cast of the first film. 

So yeah, not the greatest sequel around. I don't recall if I like Jurassic Park III better or worse than this one. Guess we'll have to see...