Common Sense Media Review
By Randy White , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrifyingly realistic dinos run amok in sci-fi landmark.
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Jurassic Park
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 91 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Brought to a secluded island, three scientists discover a wondrous jungle paradise called JURASSIC PARK where dinosaurs again walk the Earth. Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) warns the creator of the preserve that nature won't be corralled into a theme park, and things go terribly wrong when a tropical storm strikes and a corrupt computer programmer shuts down crucial security systems. During a night of terror, Dr. Grant (Sam Neil), Dr. Ellie (Laura Dern), and two children (Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards) are pursued by an escaped Tyrannosaurus Rex and several other dinos (including vicious velociraptors). After many devourings and frightening chases, a showdown ensues.
Is It Any Good?
This film boasts Academy Award-winning special effects, lots of frightful moments, and some good laughs. In Jurassic Park, director Steven Spielberg and his effects team deliver stunningly realistic dinosaurs. The movie also has a superb soundscape; hear it with a top-notch sound system to get all the thrills. Of course, actually seeing the monster isn't always the best thing. In Jaws, Spielberg's early masterpiece, viewers didn't get to see the shark until well into the movie -- and the suspense was excruciating. That kind of storytelling elegance is missing here. And for all of its technical achievements, Spielberg occasionally sacrifices three-dimensional characters and real human drama for the thrill of the effects.
Jurassic Park's terrifying realism is something to take seriously. Sensitive younger kids may want to avoid this one, and parents may want to watch ahead of time and gauge their children's likely response. It's worth noting that, amid all the thrills, the movie has some very funny moments, including a scene where a T. Rex runs toward a vehicle and you can read: "Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear" in a side mirror. It's just one of many iconic moments that ensured this film's place in cinema history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how movies like Jurassic Park blur the line between science and science fiction, sometimes giving out misinformation in the process. Since it's not really possible to clone dinosaurs, why use cloning as a plot device?
Does the use of headline-grabbing scientific concerns make a story more believable -- and thus more thrilling? How can you find out which parts of a story are really based on science and which are made up? How can children learn about media literacy?
What makes Jurassic Park scary? What's the difference between horror and suspense? Which has more impact on you, and why?
How do the characters in Jurassic Park demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 11, 1993
- On DVD or streaming: April 23, 2013
- Cast: Jeff Goldblum , Laura Dern , Sam Neill
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: STEM , Dinosaurs
- Character Strengths: Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 127 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: intense science fiction terror
- Award: Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated: August 22, 2024
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