This Jurassic Park Sequel Is Still the Best, and It’s Not Even Close

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In the summer of 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie “Jurassic Park” became a blockbuster in cinemas, eventually becoming the highest-earning film of the year with an unadjusted domestic box office revenue of $357 million. Just like its release, the sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” four years later was also highly anticipated. However, despite being successful on its own, it made approximately $128 million less domestically than its predecessor. Some viewers felt that it wasn’t as family-friendly as the original film due to its darker and more violent tone, a criticism that some consider fair.

To put it straightforwardly, The Lost World stands out as the finest Jurassic Park sequel because it carries a sense of genuine peril. This heightened tension is amplified by the presence of a child on the island, sharing the danger with the grown-ups.

A Lot of Movie

From one perspective, “The Lost World” may seem like a film that tries out many different ideas to see what audiences will accept. Yet, from another angle, it’s also cautious in maintaining elements that were successful in the initial movie. Many of the dinosaurs shown here are similar to those in the original film, which, despite the increased tension due to the darker tone, can give the impression of revisiting the 1993 adventure.

As a die-hard fan, I must confess that no film can quite match the legendary status of “Jurassic Park.” However, when it comes to “The Lost World,” it doesn’t reach the heights of its predecessor, but it certainly offers an exhilarating experience compared to the sequels. If you’re seeking a Jurassic Park movie where dinosaurs feast on humans, “The Lost World” is your go-to choice. Trust me, there’s no shortage of dino-induced chomping in this film!

Generally speaking, these instances of chompings tend to take place within striking, skillfully designed sequences. For example, the raptors in the tall grass are one of the franchise’s most memorable moments, the opening scene with the little girl and the Compies effectively establishes a sense of danger, the T-Rex attacking the InGen camp is thrilling, and the waterfall sequence is equally impressive.

Retaining the Original’s Power

One standout aspect of “The Lost World” is the thrilling scene involving the trailer on the cliff edge, showcasing that the team behind it retained the magic that made the original film exceptional. From the suspenseful shots of Dr. Ian Malcolm, Dr. Sarah Harding, and Nick Van Owen hanging precariously over the cliff during the trailer, to the nail-biting struggle faced by poor Eddie Carr as he frantically attempted to pull a heavy vehicle back up using an SUV while two T-Rexes rampaged nearby, this scene delivers. It’s also here, with the tragic end of Mr. Carr, that many ’90s children may have experienced some intense nightmares. In a strange way, this adds to its appeal.

In my view, experiencing “The Lost World” is akin to embarking on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, much like “Jurassic Park”. Yet, unlike its predecessor, this rollercoaster seems more focused on escalating action sequences at the expense of maintaining logical consistency. This is evident in what could be one of the most mind-boggling moments in blockbuster film history. InGen, in their ambitious quest, manage to transport a T-Rex and its baby to San Diego using tranquilizer darts. As our characters and antagonists gather at the Port of San Diego, the boat carrying these magnificent beasts suddenly crashes onto land. Strikingly, we see that every crew member on board has mysteriously vanished, yet there’s no clarification about what could have possibly caused their demise.

In a surprising twist, despite it being utterly illogical, the fact that a T-Rex is on the verge of causing havoc reminiscent of Godzilla in California, we’re not too concerned. This pretty much encapsulates the essence of The Lost World: Jurassic Park. The narrative is filled with implausible events, yet our attention is diverted so swiftly by another improbable, engaging situation that there’s little room for worry or contemplation.

What contributes to The Lost World: Jurassic Park being considered one of the best sequels for the IP (intellectual property) is that what followed was less impressive than this movie’s weakest parts, except for when Dr. Malcolm’s daughter outwits a raptor to death. Jurassic Park III is an early film by Joe Johnston, who later directed Captain America: The First Avenger, but despite introducing a new dinosaur, it still felt repetitive. In this case, very few characters were in danger.

Moreover, we have the Jurassic World trilogy (with plans for expansion through Jurassic World Rebirth). While Jurassic World achieved significant financial and to some extent critical success, it also had a polished feel that left an impression on others. For certain viewers, the raptor training storyline was and still is seen as preposterous.

Additionally, there were concerns about the character development. One character appeared to be a clone of Indiana Jones, while another portrayed an aunt who seemed careless, with her most memorable act of bravery being a comical scene where she removed her high heels in the wilderness.

Regarding “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and “Jurassic World Dominion”, the former aimed high but fell flat, while the latter was disappointingly underwhelming. It’s surprising that a film which introduced dinosaurs onto the mainland and reunited the original cast could be so lackluster, yet that was the unfortunate reality for “Dominion”. These films have served to highlight how enjoyable it was to experience some ’90s nostalgia in “The Lost World”, a sentiment we may not have fully appreciated at the time.

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2025-05-03 23:10