The Lost World - Jurassic Park (DVD)

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Following the phenomenal success of the original Jurassic Park movie in 1993, it was inevitable that studio execs began to see dollar signs everywhere and so the sequel to JP - The Lost World (also from a novel penned by Michael Crichton) was green lit and hit the big screen in 1997.

The problem with making a sequel to a film as enormous as the first Jurassic Park movie was that it would be one hell of a tough act to ...
...certain something that had made the original movie so unique - possibly the fact that we had seen it all before to a degree.

Steven Spielberg was back in the director's chair so there was already a sense of continuity. Even though this isn't Spielberg's finest film it must be said that even when Spielberg isn't at his best, he's still better than most directors.

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THE PLOT:
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* Please note: This review originally appeared on dooyoo.co.uk under my dooyoo alias of dlb74 *

Following the phenomenal success of the original Jurassic Park movie in 1993, it was inevitable that studio execs began to see dollar signs everywhere and so the sequel to JP - The Lost World (also from a novel penned by Michael Crichton) was green lit and hit the big screen in 1997.

The problem with making a sequel to a film as enormous as the first Jurassic Park movie was that it would be one hell of a tough act to follow... and The Lost World ALMOST pulled it off. It just lacked that certain something that had made the original movie so unique - possibly the fact that we had seen it all before to a degree.

Steven Spielberg was back in the director's chair so there was already a sense of continuity. Even though this isn't Spielberg's finest film it must be said that even when Spielberg isn't at his best, he's still better than most directors.

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THE PLOT:

Trying to recover from the financial and emotional wreckage following the events of the first movie, John Hammond calls Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum reprising his role from the first movie) to his mansion. Malcolm is surprised to hear that Hammond's weasily nephew, Peter Ludlow has taken control of what remains of the InGen corporation and has ousted Hammond himself.

Malcolm's horror grows when Hammond tells him that Isla Nublar (where the first movie was set) was merely a 'show room' for the dinosaurs and that there is actually another island - Isla Sorna - Site B - located 87 miles to the south of that location. This is where most of the dinosaurs were bred in natural habitats before being shipped across to Jurassic Park.

Hammond is determined to see that the creatures be studied before his nephew discovers and plunders Site B and asks Malcolm to join a team he has gathered to head out to the secret island. Malcolm refuses point blank to help Hammond - until he discovers that Hammond has also signed up Dr. Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) - a paleontologist who also happens to be Malcolm's girlfriend. The problem being that Sarah is already on Isla Sorna - having gone on ahead of the rest of the team. Malcolm agrees to go to Site B - but only to rescue Sarah - as he now declares this a rescue mission.

Once on the island, Malcolm is joined by engineer, Eddie Carr (Richard Schiff) and wildlife documentary maker, Nick Van Owen (Vince Vaughn). However, it soon comes to light that Malcolm's teenage daughter, Kelly has stowed along with them and has unwittingly placed herself in an extremely dangerous situation.

As if that weren't enough to contend with, Ludlow arrives on the island with his own team of mercenaries - led by expert hunter, Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite). Their mission, to take as many dinosaurs back to the previously unfinished San Diego Jurassic Park (which Hammond had started to construct before his Jurassic dream came crashing down around his ears) and make their fortunes.

Of course, needless to say things go wrong and before long the dinos are on the rampage. Both teams are soon running for their lives. Who will survive this hostile lost world? Watch this film to find out!

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THE ACTING:

The acting in The Lost World is as good as that in the original Jurassic Park movie. The cast are good and convincing for pretty much the entire film. There are little moments here and there that could have been better with a slightly more polished script - but you can't have everything I suppose - not even in a Spielberg-directed blockbuster!

Jeff Goldblum is as reliable as ever with some very subtle humour thrown in once again between the jumps. There is something of a different feel to Ian Malcolm in this movie though - he's slightly less the rockstar-esque mathematician that we were introduced to in the first film - and a little more the action man. Also, he's not wearing his trademark glasses from the first film. So perhaps he's wearing contact lenses? You wouldn't want a contact lens to pop out while you're running away from a T-Rex though!

Anyway, small niggles aside, the casting is good and most of the characters - both foreground and background are convincing. This allows you to give enough of a damn about whether most of them live or die.

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THE SPECIAL EFFECTS:

Four years had passed since the release of the original Jurassic Park - so inevitably, the dinos were going to look good once again for their second outing - and they certainly don't disappoint. They still look jaw-droppingly good - in both their CGI and animatronic versions - as with the first film making it pretty hard to tell sometimes whether you're looking at a live action, on-set dinosaur or one created on a computer.

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THE MUSIC:

Once again, John Williams was back on hand to score The Lost World. His score is quite different from that of the first film with suitably dark and forboding pieces throughout the soundtrack.

There are still enough moments to make you realise you are listening to another epic John Williams score. Just as The Lost World was not Spielberg's finest hour, so can the same be said for Williams and this score. That said, don't think I'm rubbishing either the score or the film itself - I'm not. Both are top-notch but both Williams and Spielberg have created better works in the past - and in doing so have made themselves a tough act to follow - even for themselves.

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MY HISTORY WITH THIS FILM:

I was actually working in a cinema upon the release of The Lost World and remember getting a chance to watch an afternoon showing of it. I can't recall whether the film was running to the public in this showing or even if there was anyone else present in the screen other than myself...

Anyway... moving swiftly on before I drift off on yet another of my infamous tangents...

I found myself thrilled by this film and it's many tense set-pieces. One of the best involving a trailer hanging perilously over the edge of a cliff and sloooowly cracking glass. A genuine Spielberg moment! I still remember an absolutely outstanding fright I got which involved a Velociraptor appearing out of nowhere when you least expect it. I rarely jump during films but this almost made me cack myself!

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THE DVD:

This is a review of the Region 2 release.

Once again, the picture and sound quality is fantastic. A lot of this film takes place at night and the picture quality is still sharp and very detailed.

Presentation ratio:
1.85:1 Anamorphic PAL

Available languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
German Dolby Digital 5.1
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Hungarian Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround

Once again, the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is every bit as spectular as the visuals - with every T-Rex footstep and roar shaking the speakers!

The extras on this DVD are also pretty good and are as follows:

"The Making the Lost World" documentary which follows the creation of this film from pre to post-production.

Two deleted scenes.

Picture galleries including: Storyboards for 12 scenes, miniatures, models and puppets, vehicle models and concept designs.

Trailers for Jurassic Park and The Lost World as well as a teaser trailer for Jurassic Park III.

Dino encyclopedia, production notes, cast and crew bios.

DVD-ROM Content:
- Screen savers
- Web links
- Live JP III events

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MY CONCLUSION:

Although weaker in many respects than the first Jurassic Park outing, this film still packs a fair wallop and is entertaining for those seeking dino-related thrills. The finale of the film includes the T-Rex escaping upon reaching San Diego and running riot in the city itself. This was something a lot of people wanted to see happen after viewing the first film. The strange thing was that not many people were enthused when it actually happened. Personally I thought it was fine - if slightly B-Movie-esque but I'm sure that was all very much intentional.

The one thing I've never been satisfied with when it comes to this film is the scene which is set on the ship which brings the T-Rexes from Isla Sorna to San Diego. Upon it's final approach to San Diego harbour, all contact with the ship is lost - forcing those awaiting it's arrival to flee as it ploughs at full force into harbour before finally running aground. When the ship is boarded, remains of the crew are found everywhere (the parts that haven't been eaten already, that is!).

This development just doesn't make any sense. The Rexes are still at this point contained - which removes them from the list of suspects. The most feasible contenders for the carnage are Velociraptors - but there is no sign of them - and no explanation is put forward in the film. No deleted scenes to explain it. Nothing. Nada. I've always had to assume therefore, that the 'raptors enjoyed their snack and jumped back into the sea and swam back to Isla Sorna...

Anyway... to FINALLY conclude, I would still say that The Lost World is fine entertainment though as with it's predecessor, it might not be entirely suitable for younger children as it's pretty graphic in places for what it is.

It could have been better if it had been just slightly more polished but I still recommend it none-the-less. 

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