What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that kids will see lots of folks -- and
a few innocent animals -- being eaten by realistic dinosaurs,
but there's little actual blood and gore. In the less intense
environment of home, kids as young as 9 may be able to handle
the fright factor with an adult at hand, but sensitive kids
should skip this one. Kids will hear a few mild
profanities.
Families who watch this film might discuss how movies blur the line between science and science fiction, sometimes dispensing misinformation in the process. Since it's not really possible to clone dinosaurs, why use cloning as a plot device? Does using headline-grabbing scientific concerns make the story more plausible and thus more thrilling? Can you think of other movies that stretch current science to create a plot, for example the possibility of asteroids hitting the earth or a sudden shift in the earth's climate? How can you find out which parts of a story are really based in science and which are made up?
Common Sense Media Review
A nail-biter plot, broad humor, and amazing dinosaur effects
mean mass appeal -- but they can't mask two-dimensional
characters. The genetic theory content is thought provoking,
but mostly science fiction. Viewers learn fascinating facts
about dinosaurs and get an introduction to chaos theory.
Regenerated from fossilized DNA, escaped dinosaurs hunt down scientists and kids on a secluded jungle island. JURASSIC PARK boasts Academy Award-winning special effects, lots of frightful moments, and some good laughs. But for all its technical achievements, a lack of character development weakens this Steven Spielberg thriller.
Brought to a secluded island, three scientists discover a wondrous jungle paradise where dinosaurs again walk the earth. Dr. Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) warns the creator of the preserve that nature will not be corralled into a theme park. Of course, he's right.
Things go terribly wrong when a tropical storm strikes and a corrupt computer programmer shuts down crucial security systems. In a night of terror, Dr. Grant (Sam Neil), Ellie (Laura Dern), and two children are pursued by an escaped Tyrannosaurus Rex and several other violent dinos. After many devourings and frightening chases, a showdown ensues in the island's main building.
Director Steven Spielberg and his effects team deliver some stunningly realistic dinosaurs. Gone are the days of stop-motion lizards and jerking beasts of vastly varying sizes, replaced by animitronics and digital effects. 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 is not always the best thing. In Jaws , Spielberg's early masterpiece, the audience 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. Spielberg occasionally sacrifices three-dimensional characters and real human drama to the thrill of the effects.
The movie's terrifying realism earned it a PG-13 rating. Seen in the theater, children and adults alike turned away from the screen, particulary during the young-children-in-peril sections. Viewed at home, the effect is somewhat less fearful. Still, sensitive pre-teens may want to avoid this one, and parents may want to watch and gauge the response of their children.
With all the thrills, the movie has some very funny touches. The animated film detailing the genetic engineering of the dinosaurs resembles a grammar school educational movie from the '70s. Even funnier: "Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear" glimpsed in a side mirror as a huge T. Rex chases a fleeing jeep.
For another effects-heavy thriller, try
Twister
. And for a Spielberg adventure that gives you memorable
characters to boot, check out
Raiders of the Lost Ark
.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
