1993

My dad took me to see this movie in theatres when I was just a wee lad, and I loved him for it. Still do, I suppose. I've long been a fan of Godzilla and any man vs. overgrown beast flicks, but this one is by far the best. Rooted in a pseudo-scientific explanation that's not too hard to swallow, this was the first movie to put dinosaurs and man back together and make us believe it. The suspense sequences are extremely well done and the dinosaurs look amazing, but I think what sets Jurassic Park apart from other inferior pictures (like its unfortunate sequels) is that there is a certain sense of awe and wonder of the creatures here. The T-Rex as the mighty predator, the brachiosaurus as the gentle giant, and of course the raptors as the cunning hunters - there's a kind of majesty about them, and yet at the same time they are the most earthy, animal-like incarnations I've ever witnessed. In addition, the characters are very well-drawn and likeable, with Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum in particular giving magnetic performances amd a lot of memorable dialog. With minimal gore and a low body count, Jurassic Park is an adventure movie, not a horror flick. Even at 6 when I first saw the film it didn't bother me at all. I recommend this to anyone as a magnificent and groundbreaking film, but more than that, it's just a darn good time. Isn't that why we watch movies in the first place?