29 Years Later, Steven Spielberg’s Most Disappointing Blockbuster Keeps Getting Better

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After seven films in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World series, none of the sequels have truly justified the need for a continuing franchise. While the original was a fantastic adventure and a huge success, captivating audiences with something new can only happen once. The moment Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm first see the Brachiosaurus – reaching for a high branch – perfectly captures the wonder Steven Spielberg intended, and that feeling still resonates today. Just like the iconic T. rex paddock scene, it’s a truly magical moment that still feels impactful.

The first sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, was considered a letdown when it came out in the late 90s, and it hasn’t aged much better. However, while it doesn’t live up to the original Jurassic Park, it’s definitely better than the films that followed.

What Makes The Lost World: Jurassic Park the Best of the Sequels?

Looking back, it’s obvious that The Lost World managed to recapture some of the excitement from the original Jurassic Park. It essentially retells the first movie’s story, but with bigger dangers. While it still has that adventurous spirit, it leans much more into horror. Spielberg realized he couldn’t recreate the same sense of wonder, so he decided to give audiences what they really wanted – and a lot more of it.

The Lost World isn’t subtle – it simply escalates everything. Instead of just three Velociraptors, there’s a huge, uncountable number – probably around a dozen or more. And instead of one T. rex, there are two, famously battling and even fatally injuring the character Toby Ziegler while attempting to rescue his companions.

That part of the story reveals something about The Lost World. While all the Jurassic Park movies aim to entertain viewers of all ages, this sequel goes a bit too far for younger children. The death of Eddie Carr, played by Richard Schiff, is genuinely frightening, even for adults. It’s disturbing not only because of how he dies—being ripped in two while desperately trying to save the main characters from a cliffside lab—but also because we, as the audience, actually like Carr and don’t want to see him suffer a painful death.

That one scene perfectly showcases Spielberg’s skill as a director. Knowing the T. rexes are still at large, we immediately understand the danger Carr is in as he makes so much noise. The audience feels his fear intensely, along with the panic of Ian Malcolm, Sarah Harding, and Nick Van Owen. It’s a masterclass in building suspense, comparable to the iconic shark scene in Jaws or even the T. rex breakout sequence in the first Jurassic Park.

Look, let’s be honest, The Lost World: Jurassic Park doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But you know what? That’s perfectly fine! The first movie was a blast, and this one gives us more of what made it so great. However, it’s not just more of the same that makes this sequel stand out. It’s the action sequences – they’re genuinely on par with the most thrilling moments from the original. This movie knows how to pull you in, keep you on the edge of your seat, and deliver spectacle that feels earned, not just thrown at the screen. It’s big, it’s exciting, and it’s brilliantly crafted.

The movie feels similar to a slasher film series – there are a lot of deaths, but some sequels actually have moments that are as strong as the original. For example, the fight between Chris Higgins and Jason in Friday the 13th Part III is just as good, or even better, than the iconic fight between Alice Hardy and Mrs. Voorhees in the first Friday the 13th movie. The way tension is built is different, though. Instead of focusing on a character desperately holding onto a barn beam, like in the original, the movie creates suspense by showing nameless employees running from raptors in tall grass. It’s a fantastic and equally tense scene, comparable to the thrilling hunt between Muldoon and the raptors in the first movie.

While The Lost World has a few goofy scenes, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The ending in San Diego might not appeal to everyone, and the scene with the raptors and gymnastics is particularly questionable, but overall it’s a fun late-90s adventure. It doesn’t quite reach the same level of depth and wonder as the first film, but it’s still a classic.

Stream The Lost World: Jurassic Park on YouTube TV.

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2026-01-25 01:41