Blu-ray Spotlight: "The Jurassic Park Trilogy"

I recently had the opportunity to see the re-release of Jurassic Park in 3D and was pleasantly surprised at how well the film holds up, some two decades after its original release. I also took the time to watch the second and third installments in the franchise, The Lost World and Jurassic Park III, as well as the numerous special features that are included on the Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy Blu-ray edition, which was released in 2011. You can read my thoughts on Jurassic Park here.

The original film is, without a doubt, the best in the series, followed by Jurassic Park III and The Lost World, which was very disappointing. Released in 1997 and directed by Steven Spielberg, The Lost World: Jurassic Park boasts a very talented cast, including Julianne Moore, the late Pete Postlethwaite, Vince Vaughn and the returning Jeff Goldblum, as chaos expert Dr. Ian Malcolm. The Lost World also has not one, but two T. Rex dinosaurs who wreck havoc on the principal characters in response to them taking their baby, which was in need of medical attention. The story centers around the infiltration of dinosaurs on Isla Sorna, which is the neighboring island to Isla Nubar, where the events of the first film took place. Once they are discovered, Dr. Malcolm is asked to join a team of researchers to document their findings on Isla Sorna. Complicating matters are a team of mercenaries who are trying to capture certain dinosaurs for placement in a park in San Diego. Of course, messing with the dinosaurs, especially the large ones, can only lead to disaster.

Unfortunately, the talented cast never seems to develop the rapport that viewers might expect and none of the characters are particularly likable. In addition, a supporting character, who will not be named, is completely unnecessary and is involved in a ludicrous scene involving raptors that features a gymnastic move that almost made me stop watching the film completely. Outside of the dinosaurs and the special effects, there is little to enjoy in The Lost World.

Jurassic Park III, on the other hand, is a marked improvement over The Lost World. Returning for the third installment is Sam Neill, as Dr. Alan Grant, and Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Degler, who plays a supporting role and does not interect with the dinosaurs. The story centers around two missing tourists who were last seen para sailing around Isla Sorna. Later, Dr. Grant is approached about leading a tour of Isla Sorna, by air, at the request of a couple, Paul and Amanda Kirby (William H. Macy and Tea Leoni). Dr. Grant agrees, but soon learns that the Kirbys intend to land on the island and need his help in finding their son, who is one of the missing tourists. Shortly after they land, a Spinosaurus appears and when the group try to fly away, their plane is damaged and crashes in the forest. They are now trapped on the island and soon discover so-called "super dinosaurs" which have evolved over the years. 

Despite a couple of annoying characters, Jurassic Park III is a lot of fun to watch. The addition of several new, huge and frightening dinosaurs add to the tension throughout the film, as the survivors literally run for their lives almost from start to finish. Director Joe Johnston takes over for Spielberg and crafts an enjoyable and exciting film that is reminiscent of the original.

The abundance of special features, both new and old, is a real treat for fans of the trilogy. Each of the three discs boast many behind the scenes featurettes and the original theatrical trailers. The Lost World also includes deleted scenes, while Jurassic Park III features commentary with the special effects team. Even with the substandard second installment, the Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy is great fun and a good primer for viewers who are anticipating the fourth installment, which is due in the summer of 2014.

A Welcome Return to "Jurassic Park" (3D)

Steven Spielberg's mega-hit Jurassic Park is back in theaters, complete with a 3D upgrade, after nearly two decades. Until attending a recent advance screening, I had not seen the film since its original theatrical run and I was quite impressed with how well Jurassic Park has held up over the years. This is the type of film that 3D is tailored for and the dinosaurs look even more menacing with the updated technology. 

For those unfamiliar with Jurassic Park, the story centers around the efforts of billionaire businessman John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to populate a tropical island near Costa Rica with cloned and genetically modified dinosaurs that were created with blood found in mosquitoes that had been frozen in ice since the beasts roamed the Earth. Hammond wants to create a theme park, but after a worker is killed by a dinosaur, he needs to be sure the park is, in fact, safe. He asks Dr. Grant (Sam Neill), a paleontologist, and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), a chaos theorist, to help in making sure another tragedy does not occur. Dr. Grant is accompanied by graduate student Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), who wants more than a working relationship with her mentor. 

The inspection does not go as planned because a few dinosaurs do not appear, some have fallen ill, and a dangerous tropical storm arrives and strands several people outside, including Dr. Grant and Dr. Malcolm. Meanwhile, Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), the resident computer programmer, has been paid to steal dinosaur embryos by a rival company and as he sets his plan into motion, the island loses power and then Nedry goes missing in the storm. Without the use of safeguards, such as the electronic fence that separates the dinosaurs from the human population, all hell breaks loose. 

Jurassic Park is a fast moving family film that features a good mix of drama and lighthearted moments. The special effects are still spectacular and the 3D technology adds even more realism to the images. The performances are generally good and I was surprised to see two familiar faces that I did not remember seeing the first time around; Samuel L. Jackson, who portrays Ray Arnold, a park engineer, and character actor B.D. Wong (Oz, Awake) as a geneticist. 

Yes, Jurassic Park is available on DVD and Blu-ray, but if you have the opportunity to see the film again in theaters, I would encourage you to do so. Some of those mammoth dinosaurs must be seen on the big screen to be truly appreciated and it is one of Steven Spielberg's finest films that the entire family can enjoy. The film may also whet your appetite for the fourth installment, which is set to be released in June 2014. 

Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" - Starring Daniel Day-Lewis

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

A brilliant cast, a brilliant director and a brilliant president, perhaps the best ever, conspire to create one of the year's best films. Lincoln centers around the last four months of the life of the sixteenth president of the United States and is based on the novel Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Tony Kushner provides the screenplay, which focuses on Abraham Lincoln's attempt to abolish slavery and end the Civil War that divided the nation.

The soft spoken commander-in-chief is underestimated by some of his political rivals, but he is always the smartest guy in the room. Although the long and bloody Civil War has made him weary and tired, he is intent on ending slavery and the war through a series of political calculations and gambles. He is not afraid to do whatever is necessary to see that the 13th amendment to the constitution is passed. Lincoln relies on his powers of deduction while regaling those around him with stories that relay his point of view in a non-threatening way. His tales are not appreciated by everyone, but those who do listen are captivated by what he has to say and the power of his words. Indeed, Lincoln does not command respect as much as he earns it with his silver tongue.

Lincoln relies on the assistance of three men, William N. Bilboe (James Spader), Colonel Robert Latham (John Hawkes) and Richard Schell (Tim Blake Nelson), to twist the arms of the outgoing congressional Democrats to garner their support for passage of the amendment to abolish slavery. The trio utilize unorthodox methods while Lincoln works behind the scenes and even resorts to deception in order to accomplish his goals, which he firmly believes will save the divided country. Lincoln also has help from Republican leader and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), who employs some interesting and effective methods of convincing fellow politicians to see things his way. Stevens is hard as nails while at work, but shows a surprisingly softer side at home. Of course, the outcome of the abolitionist movement and the Civil War is well known, but the struggles associated with them are endlessly fascinating to behold in this two and a half hour epic.

Daniel Day-Lewis is once again able to fully immerse himself into his character. He appears to be very comfortable in Lincoln's skin and is relaxed in his more verbose scenes, where he relays long stories that tie his ideas together in a coherent and convincing way. Day-Lewis should be given credit for making those extended dialogue heavy scenes look easy. Lincoln rarely appears angry and shies away from raising his voice to his fellow politicians, but the same cannot be said for him when dealing with his troubled private life, including his marriage to Mary Todd (Sally Field). Indeed, the emotions come pouring out during scenes where they discuss Mary's emotional problems, the death of one son and the potential danger of losing another son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who wants to be a soldier and fight for what he believes is right. Mary is a force to be reckoned with too and has no trouble speaking her mind to powerful political rivals who are not in step with her husband's wishes. They make for a fascinating and formidable duo, despite their personal issues. Lincoln appears distant with his son Robert, while he bestows much attention on his youngest child, Tad (Gulliver McGrath). I am not certain why the distance is there, but Robert is clearly not happy with his father and their troubles boil over at one point, adding to the President's already substantial number of problems.

Steven Spielberg clearly understands how to manage a large cast of talented actors and allow them each to shine by giving them something substantial to undertake. The supporting cast, led by the aforementioned Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones, deliver award worthy work. In addition, James Spader's Bilboe works tirelessly to get the votes necessary for passage of the 13th amendment and also provides some much needed comic relief, while David Strathairn's William Seward, one of Lincoln's closest allies, has no problem being brutally candid with his boss, which is something that Lincoln very much needs. Rounding out the superb cast are Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes (The Sessions), Lee Pace and Jackie Earle Haley.

In addition to the performances, the direction and the screenplay, Lincoln features outstanding costume design, art direction, make-up and expert use of lighting that helps to set the mood for any given scene. The extended run time and verbose nature of many scenes should not deter potential viewers from seeing Lincoln in theaters. The film is well paced, completely authentic and boasts some of the finest acting you will see this year. Overall, a fitting tribute to the legendary Abraham Lincoln.