Yes.  I know what you’re thinking.  “Why, Denise?  Why?”  I’m guessing that Universal Pictures wanted to add a little dino action to the ever-growing list of films that are being re-done in 3D.  After the likes of 3D/IMAX showstoppers like Avatar, Final Destination 5 and Life of Pi, it’s true that Jurassic Park doesn’t have the visual chops that current CGI-laden cinematography have to offer.  But damn if Jurassic Park doesn’t give us something else; heart.  Try as they might, the 21st Century films can’t quite put their fingers on the pulse of a movie.  It’s lovely to remember a time when action films had characters you truly cared for, and a plot beyond showing you Kewl Stuff.

Harken back to 1993.  Western Europe begins the EC, Bill Clinton starts his second term, a gallon of gas was just over a dollar (and we were all still bitching about it), and two guys — Stephen Spielberg and Michael Crichton — brought us dinosaurs on the big screen.  The story about a man who wanted everyone to see real, live dinosaurs (and who had more dollars than sense) was a sensation, with special effects so spectacular they still stand up today.  And when those dinos break free of their enclosures?  Everyone felt a chill.

But how many trips to Isla Nublar does one need to take?  For me it’s innumerable, as I have the Blu-Ray box set of all three JP films.   It’s definitely worth it to see Jurassic Park up on the big screen again.  And, it’s been 20 years; there’s a whole new generation that haven’t had the pleasure of seeing humongous dinos in the dark of a multiplex.  Fancy that.  Jurassic Park may be every bit the dinosaur that it’s characters encounter, but it’s still every bit as fascinating.  All in all it’s glorious to see this movie back on the big screen, and it’s a treat for those able to head out and give it a look.

The film itself has aged well, even if it comes off as a duller, almost smokier version of the newer 3D models.  My Blu-Ray is much more beautiful, probably because there was only one thing to focus on during that upgrade.  But in ‘93 Spielberg was going for realism rather than mind-blowing cinematography.  So when you add 3D to the mix, it’s not going to be as crisp as the current crop of special effects masterpieces.  Then again it doesn’t need to be.  Sam Neill and Laura Dern are completely believable as the paleontologist and paleobotanist twosome hired by Park owner John Hammond (Lord Richard Attenborough).  Attenborough is wonderful as the billionaire who wants to live his childhood dream.  What you realize when you watch Jurassic Park on the big screen is that Spielberg was less about fancy effects and more about bringing sympathetic characters to the story.  What motivates them? Why are they doing what they’re doing?  What’s going to happen to them now?  It’s a pleasure to see these questions asked, and answered.

It’s as if I’d forgotten how action movies were structured before today’s crop of “goes boom” action films.  Not that going boom isn’t awesome — it is.  But a well crafted film that works on many levels and also happens to be a thriller?  All but inconceivable nowadays.  What’s also inconceivable are the little things played to great effect.  After big explosions and huge…everything?  Seeing a small glass of water shimmer from an impact tremor (T-Rex alert!)  packs just as much of a punch now as it did originally.  Ahh, they just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.  Pity.

For other dino-fans out there who are jonesing for more science, may I recommend the National Geographic piece, Reviving Ancient Species.  Just don’t mess around with frog DNA and we’ll be fine, I’m sure.  But I’m dead-bolting my front door, just in case.