Jurassic Park III

Directed by Joe Johnston
Starring: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sci-fi terror and violence.

Review by Matt Heffernan <matt@filmhead.com>
July 20, 2001

Here's the quick lowdown on the latest people-eatin' dinosaurs movie:

It's not bad, but not any good. Basically: "Ehh" (hands gesturing upward with an ambivalent air). All I can really say is Thank God for William H. Macy. He helped guide me through this silly, arch drama; he made me remember that some films involve such things as story and dialogue (like director Joe Johnston's last film, October Sky).

But not this one. No sirree. You have the same old plot: a bunch of people (Macy, Téa Leoni, and a returning Sam Neill) are trapped with a bunch of angry, hungry dinosaurs. Only this time, the vision of Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton is lost, and only their gimmick remains.

However, the gimmick is entertaining enough for a summer night at the movies. It's ridiculously predictable, but still cool to watch. It's not like you're going to see a better killer dinosaur movie this year, so if that's what you're into, knock yourself out. Otherwise, have a barbecue.

Here's some merchandise for sale at

Jurassic Park III (2001)	-- VHS
Jurassic Park III (2001)	-- DVD
Jurassic Park III, a junior novelization by Scott Ciencin	-- Paperback
Jurassic Park III: Movie Storybook, by Marc Cerasini	-- Paperback
Jurassic Park III: Soundtrack	-- Compact Disc
Jurassic Park III: The DNA Factor	-- Game for Game Boy Advance
Jurassic Park III: Park Builder	-- Game for Game Boy Advance

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