Beyond the Gates: A Critique of Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park, 1993

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Link to Trailer

The 1993 film Jurassic Park" is the first film to come out from the Jurassic Park Series. The film follows John Hammond, a weird billionaire who has created an innovative biological technique that allows the cloning of dinosaurs. On a remote island called Isla Nublar, he builds the Jurassic Park theme park. Paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler, and mathematicians Ian Malcolm and Donald Gennaro are among the experts that Hammond invites to the island. The guests watch in astonishment as live dinosaurs are brought back from extinction using advanced cloning methods. Some of the experts express concern about the park's potential dangers and moral consequences. The group discovers the genetic engineering techniques used to create the cloned dinosaurs while taking a tour of the park. However, they quickly learn that the park's electrical and security systems are prone to malfunctioning, trapping them and leaving them exposed to the dangerous dinosaurs. Computer programmer Dennis Nedry tries to steal dinosaur embryos to sell to a competing business. He disables vital security systems in the process, which causes a catastrophic breakdown of the park's defenses. The cloned dinosaurs escape from their containment, causing havoc. The group splits up, and they now have to figure out how to evacuate the island and avoid the dinosaurs. The main characters work to survive and regroup as they encounter multiple dangerous confrontations with the dinosaurs. Tim and Lex, two of Dr. Grant's grandchildren from Hammond, become the main targets of one group's attempts to flee the raging dinosaurs. Despite his wounds, Dr. Malcolm keeps sharing his knowledge about chaos theory and the naturally unpredictable nature of complex systems. The survivors band together in an attempt to activate the park's security systems to get help while Gennaro meets a horrible end. The team eventually succeeds in restoring electricity and turning on a distress signal. After being rescued by a helicopter, they escape the island just in time to avoid being killed by the dinosaurs.

The plot driver in "Jurassic Park" is the genetic technology that allows for the cloning and creation of living dinosaurs. The existence of cloned dinosaurs is the catalyst for the events that unfold on Isla Nublar, the remote island where the Jurassic Park theme park is located, and sets the entire plot into motion.

The three main acts of the film begin with the idea of Jurassic Park, a theme park built by John Hammond where dinosaurs are being cloned using cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques, is introduced to the audience in the first act of the movie. Drs. Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm are requested to visit the park and offer their knowledge and support. They are astounded by the dinosaurs' resurrection during their visit, as they are by the park's security and moral impacts. Everything appears to be functioning normally as they explore the park, but potential issues are beginning to show themselves. 

Chaos breaks out when a number of technological malfunctions and security lapses take place inside the park. Disgruntled computer programmer Dennis Nedry disables the park's security measures in order to steal dinosaur embryos for another company. By accidentally releasing the cloned dinosaurs from their enclosures, this action endangers the tourists safety. The main characters are stranded on the island and are fighting to survive and get away from the dangerous animals. Further ethical issues regarding the production and management of these genetically altered animals come up as they attempt to navigate the dangerous scenario. 

Third, The protagonists' efforts to turn on the park's security systems and regain control are the focus of the third act of the movie. They come into contact with the dinosaurs on multiple occasions, including the famous and frightening T-Rex. The velociraptors and the park's survivors make a frantic getaway from the island in the dramatic conclusion once they eventually regain some control. The rescue crew leaves the island after bringing the survivors to safety, having learned the risks of interfering with nature and the error of trying to control forces that are beyond human knowledge.

The main character changes that I noticed are in Dr. Alan Grant. Alan Grant is introduced in the movie as a paleontologist who is passionate about studying dinosaurs but who also dislikes and fears kids in general. When he first meets Lex and Tim, Hammond's grandsons, he is clearly uneasy. Grant adopts a protective role for Lex and Tim as the plot develops and the characters end up in danger. During the scary events on the island, he is in charge of protecting their security and well-being. He eventually gets over his dislike of kids and adopts a sincere, protective, and caring attitude toward them.


 

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