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[[Joe Johnston]] had been interested in directing the sequel to ''[[Jurassic Park]]'' and approached friend [[Steven Spielberg]] about the project. While Spielberg wanted to direct the first sequel, he agreed that if there was ever a third film, Johnston could direct.<ref>{{cite video|title=The Making of Jurassic Park III|format=DVD|publisher=[[Universal Pictures]]|year=2005}}</ref> Production began on [[August 30]] [[2000]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = British Film Institute| url = http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/674339| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref> with filming in [[California]], [[Oahu]], and [[Molokai]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = Hollywood.com| url = http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Jurassic_Park_III/419715| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref>
[[Joe Johnston]] had been interested in directing the sequel to ''[[Jurassic Park]]'' and approached friend [[Steven Spielberg]] about the project. While Spielberg wanted to direct the first sequel, he agreed that if there was ever a third film, Johnston could direct.<ref>{{cite video|title=The Making of Jurassic Park III|format=DVD|publisher=[[Universal Pictures]]|year=2005}}</ref> Production began on [[August 30]] [[2000]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = British Film Institute| url = http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/674339| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref> with filming in [[California]], [[Oahu]], and [[Molokai]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = Hollywood.com| url = http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Jurassic_Park_III/419715| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref>


Although it is an original story, not based on a [[Michael Crichton]] novel, it does contain minor scenes from Crichton's ''Jurassic Park'' and ''The Lost World'' novels that were not featured in the film versions, such as the ''Pteranodon'' aviary and the ''Spinosaurus'' river attack. In a change from the first two films, the ''Spinosaurus'' replaced the T. rex as the main antagonist,<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| url = http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117798505.html?categoryid=31&cs=1| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref> as reflected in the new logo and the early scene of the ''Spinosaurus'' killing the ''Tyrannosaurus''.
Although it is an original story, not based on a [[Michael Crichton]] novel, it does contain minor scenes from Crichton's ''Jurassic Park'' and ''The Lost World'' novels that were not featured in the film versions, such as the ''Pteranodon'' aviary and the ''Spinosaurus'' river attack. In a change from the first two films, the ''Spinosaurus'' replaced the T. rex as the largest antagonist,<ref>{{cite web | title = Jurassic Park III | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| url = http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117798505.html?categoryid=31&cs=1| accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref> as reflected in the new logo and the early scene of the ''Spinosaurus'' killing the ''Tyrannosaurus''.


==Dinosaurs on screen==
==Dinosaurs on screen==

Revision as of 23:33, 31 July 2007

Jurassic Park III
File:Jurassic park iii.jpg
Directed byJoe Johnston
Written byAlexander Payne
Peter Buchman
Jim Taylor
Produced byLarry J. Franco
Kathleen Kennedy
Steven Spielberg
StarringSam Neill
William H. Macy
Téa Leoni
Alessandro Nivola
Trevor Morgan
Michael Jeter
John Diehl
Bruce A. Young
Laura Dern
CinematographyShelly Johnson
Edited byRobert Dalva
Music byDon Davis
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
July 18, 2001
Running time
94 min
Country United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$93,000,000
Box office$365,000,000

Jurassic Park III is a 2001 film that is the third film as part of the Jurassic Park franchise. Jurassic Park III is the sequel to The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It is the first in the series not to be based on a book by Michael Crichton or directed by Steven Spielberg. It takes place on Isla Sorna, the island from the second film, after a couple hires Dr. Grant to help them find their son.

After the success of the first Jurassic Park, Joe Johnston asked Steven Spielberg if he could direct the sequel. While Spielberg wanted to do the first sequel, he promised to give the second sequel to Johnston. Three years after the release of The Lost World, production began in late August of 2000.

Plot

Four years after the second film, The Lost World, Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) have continued their paleontological careers but are working independently now; Ellie is married with two children, and Grant is still digging with his protégé Billy Brennan (Alessandro Nivola). He is approached by Paul (William H. Macy) and Amanda Kirby (Téa Leoni), saying they are wealthy thrill-seekers who want Grant to be their guide on an aerial tour of Isla Sorna. Grant is reluctant at first, but the Kirbys' promise of funding his dig gets the better of him.

Grant suspects that something is not quite right when the plane carrying him, Billy, the Kirbys, and some mercenaries lands. After Amanda uses a megaphone to try to call out to someone in the jungle, they are attacked by a Spinosaurus, which saves them from a T-rex. As they attempt to escape in the plane, they accidentally run into the dinosaur and crash, resulting in the deaths of two of the mercenaries, and stranding them on the island. Grant finds out that the Kirbys are actually searching for their son, Eric (Trevor Morgan), who was stranded on the island in a paragliding accident. He decides to lead them to the coast, increasing their chances of getting rescued. Along the way, they spot the paraglider, but without Eric. Billy salvages the paraglider, and Grant discovers several nearby nests of Velociraptor eggs.

The group then explores the abandoned InGen compound, where they are attacked by a Velociraptor. When they flee, they get ambushed by its fellow raptors, resulting in the death of the final mercenary. When Grant becomes separated, he is rescued from several raptors by young Eric Kirby, who has been living on the island for 8 weeks in the back of an abandoned water truck. Eric has taken supplies and food from the InGen compound and has salvaged other tools for survival. When the group reunites, but they are attacked again by the Spinosaurus. After they find shelter in another building, Grant finds out that Billy has stolen two Velociraptor eggs, explaining the attacks. He is furious with Billy, claiming that he is "no better than the people that built this place".

To reach a boat docked in a nearby river, the group must pass through a massive aviary where they are attacked by numerous Pteranodons. Using the paraglider he salvaged, Billy tries to rescue Eric from a nest of Pteranodon chicks, but is attacked by several adults, seemingly killing him. Grant and the Kirbys board the boat, and while floating down river, they hear a phone ringing, finding several mounds of dung containing a satellite phone the spinosaurus had eaten from the plane. Grant attempts to contact Ellie, but only gets out "The river... Site B! The river!".

The group is close to the shore when the raptors reappear, wanting their eggs back. The eggs are given back to the raptors, and they retreat when they hear the approach of helicopters. They arrive at the beach to see a military detachment, no doubt sent by Ellie. As they board a helicopter, Grant finds Billy, still alive but badly injured. He tells Grant that he has "rescued" his hat, which Grant jokes is the important thing.

Cast

  • Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, a world-famous paleontologist who survived the incident on Isla Nublar and has since developed an extensive theory about Velociraptor intelligence.
  • William H. Macy as Paul Kirby, the owner of a hardware store who poses as a wealthy businessman in order to lure Grant onto Isla Sorna to help the Kirbys search for their son .
  • Téa Leoni as Amanda Kirby, Paul's ex-wife who accompanies the group to Site B, feeling guilty for having lost Eric.
  • Alessandro Nivola as Billy Brennan, a young and overly-enthusiastic graduate student at Grant's dig site whose impulsive actions land the entire rescue party in danger.
  • Trevor Morgan as Eric Kirby, the 12-year-old son of Paul and Amanda who ends up stranded on Site B for eights weeks, and must fend for himself.
  • Michael Jeter as Udesky, a meek but sardonic mercenary "booking agent" who travels with his two associates to the island.
  • Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist who also survived Isla Nublar and is Grant's former flame, and makes good on her promise to help him when he needs it most.

Production

Joe Johnston had been interested in directing the sequel to Jurassic Park and approached friend Steven Spielberg about the project. While Spielberg wanted to direct the first sequel, he agreed that if there was ever a third film, Johnston could direct.[1] Production began on August 30 2000[2] with filming in California, Oahu, and Molokai.[3]

Although it is an original story, not based on a Michael Crichton novel, it does contain minor scenes from Crichton's Jurassic Park and The Lost World novels that were not featured in the film versions, such as the Pteranodon aviary and the Spinosaurus river attack. In a change from the first two films, the Spinosaurus replaced the T. rex as the largest antagonist,[4] as reflected in the new logo and the early scene of the Spinosaurus killing the Tyrannosaurus.

Dinosaurs on screen

Release

The film earned $181 million domestic and $369 million worldwide, the 8th highest grossing film of the year worldwide,[5] but still less than either of its predecessors. As with the other films in the franchise, there was a large marketing push, including seven video games[6] and a novelization aimed at young children.[7]

Jurassic Park III is ranked as rotten on Rotten Tomatoes with a 49% positive rating, with 72 out of 148 critics giving it positive reviews.[8] It also has a 42% on Metacritic.[9] Critics were split over whether the third installment of the series was better or worse than the second. Jeffrey Westhoff of the Northwest Herald felt that it was worse, remarking that "Johnston inherits the series one film too late."[10] However, Ben Varkontine called it "not as good a ride as the first", but "better than the second."[11] Much of the criticism was leveled at the plot as simply a chase movie with no character development, some even going so far as to say it was "almost the same as the first movie" with "no need for new ideas or even a script."[12]

The movie was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Special Effects.[13] For its short comings, it was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Re-Make or Sequel.[14] The soundtrack was released on July 10 2001.

The film made its VHS and DVD debut on December 11 2001.[15] The DVD has also been re-released with both sequels on December 11 2001[16] and as the Jurassic Park Adventure Pack on November 29 2005.[17]

References

  1. ^ The Making of Jurassic Park III. Universal Pictures. 2005. {{cite AV media}}: |format= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ "Jurassic Park III". British Film Institute. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  3. ^ "Jurassic Park III". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  4. ^ "Jurassic Park III". Variety. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  5. ^ "Jurassic Park III (2001)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  6. ^ "Jurassic Park Licensees". Moby Games. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  7. ^ Scott Ciencin (2001). Jurassic Park III. Random House Books for Young Readers. p. 116. ISBN 978-0375813184.
  8. ^ "Jurassic Park III". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  9. ^ Lost World: Jurassic Park "Jurassic Park III: Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-05-15. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  10. ^ Jeffrey Westhoff. "Jurassic Park III". Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL). Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  11. ^ Ben Varkontine. "Jurassic Park III". PopMatters. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  12. ^ Brian Webster. "Jurassic Park III". Apollo Movie Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  13. ^ "Past Winners Database". Los Angeles Times. 2002-06-10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "2001 RAZZIE® Nominees & "Winners"". Razzie Awards. 2005-12-05. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ IGN staff (2001-12-12). "Jurassic Park III". IGN. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Jurassic Park Trilogy". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  17. ^ IGN DVD (2005-11-17). "Jurassic Park Adventure Pack". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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