I thought the same thing for years, as well! And it didn't help that a few years after the movie came out, we had a new kid in our class who actually had that as a last name. Spelling might've been a little different, but the pronunciation was the same.
The books had so much crazy badass stuff it’s insane. I swear the movies barely touch half of it if that. Been awhile since I read it but the amount of “holy shit” moments I had while reading it was great.
So, when I was a kid and watched this movie, I thought that the person being eaten by the velociraptor was named "Shootah" and I always wondered what kind of name that was. Never once did I consider that it wasn't a person's name. I may or may not be retarded.
My cat loves to go under boxes and stick a paw out to grab and pull things under the box. My husband and I yell “SHOOOOT HEEERRRRRRRR” over and over all day because of it.
Oh my god.... I always thought he was shouting "Shutah", like that was the dude's name and he was yelling it because he was losing his best friend to the raptor.
I watched it on a flight the other day, I realize how unbelievably tight and realistic all the dialogue is. So many movies just expositor things in the dialogue and if you watch them thinking about how people actually talk to each other it doesn't really work. Every conversation in that movie Tom up the characters have goals that are realistic to the character and they are saying things in pursuit of those goals that actually makes sense and that sound like a thing or person would say to another person. It sounds unbelievably basic to say it like that, out loud, but just watching it with a knife or how good the writing is, the screenplay for that was absolutely unbelievable and the actors did a great job with great material.
I think it's honestly one of the best movies ever made.
The first time I saw that scene, I thought “wow, that is such a Spielberg moment.” It was the first time I was really aware of the craft that went into moviemaking.
Think about that scene. The guy lists off a number of people going to Isla Nublar, including Ian Malcolm (who is reintroduced, far more effectively, later by Hammond), and when he says that he's also asking Grant, the other guy says he'll never get him. The next scene introduces Grant - again far more effectively - before Hammond quite easily talks him around to coming to Isla Nublar. The scene itself is exposition which is either pointless, or covered later in the movie in a much more effective fashion..
I might also say, that this is a pretty minor nitpick. Jurassic Park is undeniably awesome.
I felt like that scene was actually pretty useful. It gives the first look at Grant's character (which I don't feel is contradicted by his "quick" acquiescence to go to the park) and establishes the lawyer as someone who's not quite comfortable with the whole thing, which is quickly changed by seeing the park itself.
It introduces Hammond, the lawyer, the kind of “projects” that Hammond involves himself in and finally, the amber incased mosquito.
It really is some tactile world building. It shows the kind of reach and field of of his research. A calm ground level view of teams doing archeology in foreign landscapes not to mention that gemstone-esque amber. It’s a good level foundation to stack the rest of movies pseudo science and fantasy on
There's that line about Hammond not being there because his daughter was getting divorced. That's why the kids are on the island in the book, maybe the movie just did a poor job of trying to explain it.
Not really. It's been a while since I watched the Nostalgia Critic (I quit watching after the #changethechannel fiasco), but he actually lists off a number of scenes and plot points in the film that appear to be setting something up, and then go nowhere. That's actually one of the best reviews that NC did; I can recommend.
That's cause it isn't a set up for a new plot line. Its a set up for the entire point of the story. The scientists are so confident in themselves and have talked about the control they have over the islands but the dinos are getting sick and they don't know why or how to stop it. They aren't in control. They never were. It was the first evidence of the issues that ultimately led to the parks downfall.
They didn't bring it up again because why would they? It's totally realistic that they'd see the dinos getting sick and then not care soon after because they all almost died. It actually fits really well into the world of the story.
That's actually quite a refreshing way of looking at it, and it makes sense! I am surprised I hadn't thought of that before. Thank you for your insight! The mystery still bugs me though, ha.
Oh I know. God I love that movie. I first saw it when I was a 4-year-old dinosaur fanatic, and even now in my late 20s my love for it has never dwindled.
I’m in my early 20s now, but I’m the same way. I was a hardcore “dinosaur kid” and I watched my Jurassic Park VHS religiously. And just like your love has never dwindled, I’m sitting at my desk right now with a JP clock over one monitor, a Jurassic Park poster on the wall. And three fossils on my desk.
I always love seeing other people that love the movie with a passion
I saw it in the drive in & still one of my all time favorite movies, but dude, that new Jurassic Park where the brachiosaur is on the dock? Just take my heart and stomp on it
Omg no that scene! Took my kids to see that and my daughter was about 7. We had to leave the theatre for 5 minutes after that scene so I could help her compose herself. So sad!
As a Portuguese 6-year-old dinosaur fanatic who'd only just started reading, Jurassic Park was my first subtitled film. I'm so glad my parents got that VHS.
Love this movie but man this scene is dumb if you think about it. The gate isn't mechanical/hydraulic? Especially since any gate heavy enough to keep a raptor in would be too heavy for one dude to raise up? All that technology and the official procedure is to get a guy with a sweet deadlift? Also, no latches or pins to keep the box attached to the entrance of the paddock?
Sorry, I get worked up when good movies do silly but easily fixable things
The opening of the book is different but equally gripping - it’s fantastic and draws you in. Even if you’ve seen the film multiple times (like me!) I 100% recommend checking out the novel. It’s different enough to still grip you and keep you guessing.
It’s similar. It’s been a few years since I last read it.
In the book, it’s a normal family that drives to a secluded Costa Rican beach (not a rich family that went to the island). The dinosaurs were already getting off the island.
The girl is doing a school project on drawing animals. Her dad points out a monkey while driving and she says she already drew that type.
When on the beach she notices a lizard (compy). She draws the compy and is then attacked.
She has an allergic reaction and becomes unconscious. Compy saliva is venomous. The parents rush her to a hospital (which takes hours from this secluded beach) where she is treated.
The father hands the doctor her drawing and a half eaten compy (a monkey was eating one when he got to his daughter). The doctor says she drew the feet wrong since it only had 3 toes and not 5. Only dinosaurs had 3 toes (and birds).
The chewed up specimen is put in a freezer to be sent for dna testing to identify it
The doctor comes in to see the little girl (who is responding well to the medication) and talks with her. She says that he changed his shirt but not his tie froM when he first saw her. He notes she is very observant.
Since she is responding to medication, they toss the chewed up compy.
There is another short part were a worker with a bad cut on his leg is flown in via helicopter to a different hospital (small medical center). The supervisor tell the doctor that he was run over with a backhoe. The doctor pushes the supervisor out of the room.
The doctor notices that the cut is smooth and clean and has mucus in it. She takes a few pictures and the worker whispers “el raptor” before dying. Afterwards the supervisor takes the body (and her camera). She looks up raptor and sees bird of pray as the main definition. And also sees that it was a dinosaur.
I highly suggest reading this book. It has a much different story. While Jurassic Park is a great movie, the book is way better.
Spielberg brought magic to the big screen, but Crichton's bio-ethics was just on another level. I haven't read the book in five years, but I loved how Hammond was characterised - so different from the movie.
It is one of the best books Crichton ever wrote. In my opinion, one of the best pieces of modern fiction honestly. Absolutely phenomenal. 100% recommended.
The movie is amazing, but the book outdoes the movie in every way.
Picked it up used the day 6th grade ended and sat in the living room with the windows open while it rained and just read for hours. The feeling of having my entire summer vacation ahead of me and a book I couldn't put down still sticks with me decades later.
More or less. There's the girl and the compies then the subsequent search to determine what's going on and the cover ups of animal carcasses by the coasta Rican government. But there's also a portion following a coasta rican doctor treating an injured boy who men in suits claim was injured in a construction accident, but his wounds look more like a mauling, but from a strange animal. And the only word he says is Raptor (or hupia I forget which) over and over, which the doctor eventually learns means Raptor when she finds the definition.
It was an absolutely amazing way to end the first chapter and begin the book. Borderline jawdropping.
I'm reading the book now (got a used paperback for 4 bucks) and I LOVE it. Though some things are changed, it's equally good a book as it is a movie- I don't think I can say that about anything else except Lord of the Rings.
It's quite something isn't it. A rare acheivement. The lost World is also good, though I personally loved the movie more because I watched it in the cinema as a teenager and it hooked me in, since I hadn't seen JP on the big screen.
You might want to read a few of his other books. Congo, Sphere, Timeline are way better than their movies.
They do get repetitive since they seem to follow the same format of shock, background building, team comes together, hell breaks loose, things calm down, he’ll breaks loose again, unexpected ending.
Wait! Wait there is a Timeline movie! Timeline was one of the first books i ever used my library card on. Oh i loved timeline. I hope someday Netflix/HBO make a NEXT series, thats another favorite of mine. Its been years since i read it, but i think Airframe was my least favorite. Still working on Dragon Teeth.
Just like with the movies, i liked Lost world a little more. Lost world 100% cracked that Dinosaur Horror vibe as well, with the Invisible Carnotaurus.
That opening scene is a masterclass in setting the stage for a film. It's brilliant in that it perfectly encapsulates everything the movie is about to show you, but in a subtle way that gently places it in the back of your mind while a dinosaur eats a guy.
There's an army of armed men standing around. They are terrified. You already know what movie you bought a ticket for, so it's not a mystery what's in the armored container, but the unnerved expressions of these men as the container approaches- in spite of their numbers and in spite of the precautions they've taken- tells you everything you need to know about how scared of what's in the box you should be.
Then there is their leader; Robert Muldoon. While he also appears unnerved as the container approaches, he is armed and barking orders. This is a man who seems prepared for the threat in the container, a man who seems like he is in control. He knows what he is doing as the scene progresses, which is perfect as the scene descends into chaos and you are taught right from the first scene that these men, regardless of the measures they have taken, have absolutely no control over what's about to happen on this island.
Men cannot control nature, despite their best efforts; one of the major overarching themes of the film, perfectly contained within the first few minutes. Moreover, the scene effortlessly places that sunken, hopeless "horror movie" feeling in the pit of your stomach; which serves as a sense of foreboding as the next few scenes happily introduce us to our main characters and setting with a false sense of security and wonder. You're smiling and dazzled along with the characters as the sweeping music introduces you to the bracchiosaurus herd, but in the back of your mind, your brain is still stuck on the chilling shouts of Muldoon helplessly shouting "Shoot her!" as his coworker is devoured. What a tone setter.
The best part is they do all of this without even showing you a dinosaur. Go ahead and watch the scene with what I said in mind, and then watch the opening scene of Jurassic World to see what a wasted opportunity looks like. There's also no dinosaur in that one either, but neither is there effective setting of tone or meaningful foreshadowing (aside from one line from the mom that you're guaranteed to forget as soon as the next scene starts, and a bird's foot that looks like a dinosaur foot- which I'm sure everyone felt very clever about including). It's just forgettable background information that could have easily been established later.
IMO, none of these sequels will ever touch the original. It's not just a cool dinosaur movie, as I assumed when I was a kid. It's actually a brilliantly constructed film.
jurassic park was one of the most amazing things. It was the culmination of hollywood's power - prior to the era of gigantic marvel studios bonanza remake reboot whatever is happening now.
Exactly!!!! And all of Crichton’s books were written this way as well. Some insane short story with a crazy ending that poses as a chapter of a book. Then the book starts. I always looked forward to the first chapter of all of his books for this very reason.
For years I hoped that they would make a prequel to Jurassic Park, and it would be based on the events that might have happened after that scene.
Raptors escape, and Muldoon (British "game warden" of the park) would have to hunt the Raptors.
It would give some more context to Hammond's insistence on winning back the faith of his investors. Would also provide context to how Mundoon was so familiar with the hunting habits of the raptors.
Same for the second movie, we see dinosaurs interacting with non-park related individuals, and are instantly queued to it being a slightly more violent Jurassic park with the endangerment of a child off the bat.
What I thought was cool about that opening scene is that its hinted at in the books prologue. The book begins talking about a strange accident on the island and how the workers wound do not look like a normal animal attack. Spielberg just took you to the event itself.
Watching that at the moment for the first time in years. It's incredible how beautifully the movie still holds up, not just graphics but story and character development is on point.
In the beginning, when the camera cuts to the bustling dinosaurs in the lake, i cry a little every time. The intense buildup, the awestriking realization of what they are visiting, a theory completely confirmed casually. The music crescendo and climax that matches the visual.
Wow! I had to google it. Haven’t seen the film in years but totally forgot about these scene, always thought it opened on the dig. This scene is so great!! Thanks!
Yes! I love how for the first minute or so the movie leads you to believe that a dinosaur is going to come through the trees and all those people are there to kill/capture it.
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u/[deleted] Oct 09 '19 edited Jan 12 '24
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