Jurassic Park (1993)
10/10
Perfect film
29 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Jurassic Park is just perfect in every aspect. The plot, characters, screenplay, music and CGI are all superb, combined to make the film entertaining to the last second of it. It's an all-time classic, more than a "cult" movie as some call it.

The plot is an exemplary show of storytelling. Two hours of this film never get boring partly because of the well thought-out plot structure. It begins quietly, though with some menace lingering over the horizon. We are taken to the park, and (along with the characters) get awestruck with the magnificence of dinosaurs. More fine details follow to let us breathe and be ready for the coming storm. A struggle for survival begins with the T-Rex, but their journey through the park has ups and downs, sometimes keeping us on edge and other times heartwarming. This rhythm of rush and calm is so finely tuned that we never get bored or tired. Their struggle is ended, again fittingly, by the T-Rex, and the film concludes with a definite answer: Life finds a way.

That also introduces an interesting twist of this film. Jurassic Park is often called an axiomatic blockbuster. Well, it is. But it is more than that. While being entertaining, it also poses important questions. Specifically, is genetic engineering ethical and safe? More generally, isn't technological advancement getting out of control? Shouldn't we ask more often if we should, rather than just if we can? This film is powerfully humbling.

All the characters are lovable and have an important role to play. They also develop as we watch them. The chemistry between Dr. Grant, Tim and Lex is amazing. Even those in supporting roles, such as John Hammond, Dr. Malcolm, Nedry, Arnold, and Muldoon all give us memorable moments. This film can't have one more or one less - it has a perfect ensemble as is.

The original music score by John Williams is again a perfect match to the movie. I'd even say this is his best work (though admittedly it's a very tough call). The music never fails to add more emotion to each scene, whether in peace or in danger. Whenever I listen to the Main Theme from Jurassic Park (on my iPhone), the majestic view of Isla Nublar is visualized on my mind.

CGI was cutting-edge when it came out in 1993, and it still is watchable after two decades of incredible technological advancement. That tells something about a wisdom of using CGI where it does the job best. They certainly had technological limitations back then, but their creativity more than made up for it.

All in all, this film is an absolute masterpiece. Anyone from anywhere can enjoy it. Even someone who has watched it a dozen times can still enjoy it. Even while the modern sequels stumble, the original Jurassic Park continues to shine.
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