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Prehistory's progeny run amok again in Jurassic Park 3, the latest exciting installment in this popular series based on the bestselling Michael Crichton novel. Original leading man Sam Neill, who sat out Part 2 (Jurassic Park: The Lost World), returns as the intrepid paleontologist whose knowledge of Jurassic Park and its raptor residents proves invaluable to a married couple (William H. Macy and Téa Leoni) searching the island in a desperate bid to find their missing son, apparently stranded there following a parasailing mishap. Laura Dern, the first film's leading lady, also reprises her role and figures prominently in this episode's suspenseful climax. Director Joe Johnston (Jumanji), an old hand at effects-laden adventure movies, establishes his characters in a leisurely fashion -- but once the island is reached, the action begins with a bang, after which the pace picks up and never slackens. As in the previous two films, animatronic creatures and computer-generated effects are employed in tandem to create the illusion that the prehistoric creatures are as real as the actors themselves. A rousing romp in the best Saturday-matinee tradition, Jurassic Park 3 supplies a surfeit of thrills and chills. Johnston explains many filmmaking secrets in his commentary for the DVD edition, which also includes a "making of" documentary, a montage of behind-the-scenes footage, photo and storyboard galleries, and alternate theatrical trailers. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Director Joe Johnston takes over the creative reins from Steven Spielberg for this third installment in the thriller franchise. Sam Neill returns as Dr. Alan Grant, a scientist who's tricked by wealthy couple Paul and Amanda Kirby (William H. Macy and Tea Leoni) into a fly-over of Isla Sorna. The object of their sightseeing tour is one of the Costa Rican islands populated by ferocious, genetically bred dinosaurs and the "site B" setting of Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World (1997). After their plane crash-lands, it's revealed that the Kirbys are actually seeking their teenage son, lost on the island after a paragliding accident. Trapped on Isla Sorna, Grant and his companions discover some painful truths the hard way. Among their discoveries: some of the scaly monsters possess more advanced communicative abilities than previously believed, the dreaded Tyrannosaurus Rex has a larger and more lethal competitor, and flying Pteranodons pose an even graver threat than some of their land-locked brethren. Jurassic Park III is the first in the series not to be based upon a novel by original author Michael Crichton. Karl Williams

New York Times

All it wants to do is scare a smile onto your face, and it often succeeds. Elvis Mitchell

Los Angeles Times

It's a tribute to the action skills of director Joe Johnston (Jumanji is the relevant credit) that this film is as brisk and involving as it is. Kenneth Turan

Product Details

• UPC: 025192110122
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:33:00
• Sales Rank: 9,119

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Jurassic Park Adventure Pack

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