I’ll be honest with you. I avoided Jurassic Park 3 for years because everyone said it was the worst in the series.
When I finally watched it in 2001, I realized people weren’t entirely wrong, but they weren’t entirely right either.
This Universal Pictures film from director Joe Johnston stars Sam Neill, William H. Macy, and Téa Leoni.
It runs about 92 minutes and carries a PG 13 rating. But that shorter runtime tells you something about this movie right away.
I’m writing this review because Jurassic Park 3 deserves a fair look. It’s not what you expect, and that’s both its strength and its weakness.
Let me explain what works and what doesn’t.
Storyline Overview
Jurassic Park 3 brings Dr. Alan Grant back to Isla Sorna, where dinosaurs roam free and tourists should definitely stay away.
Dr. Alan Grant has sworn off visiting dinosaur islands. Then Paul and Amanda Kirby approach him with an offer. They want to fly over Isla Sorna.
They’ll pay him enough to fund his research for years. Grant agrees. Just a flyover. No landing. Except they lie to him.
The Kirbys are desperate parents searching for their son Eric, who went missing on the island eight weeks ago. And they’re landing whether Grant likes it or not.
The film asks simpler questions than its predecessors. What would you do to save your child? This isn’t about scientific ethics. It’s about survival and family.
Characters and Performances
The actors do their best with what they’re given, though the script doesn’t always help them out.
Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill)
Grant is tired of dinosaurs. He’s been there, done that, barely survived twice. He just wants to study bones, not run from living dinosaurs.
Sam Neill brings back the grumpy scientist we remember. Grant is skeptical, cautious, and clearly regretting his decisions within minutes of landing.
Neill makes Grant’s frustration feel real. This is a man who should have said no. You can see it on his face throughout the film. He’s too old for this nonsense.
The performance works because Neill doesn’t try to make Grant heroic. He’s just trying to survive another terrible situation he didn’t sign up for.
Paul and Amanda Kirby (William H. Macy and Téa Leoni)
The Kirbys are not likable people at first. They lie to Grant. They endanger everyone. Amanda screams at the worst possible moments.
William H. Macy plays Paul as a regular guy completely out of his depth. He owns a hardware store. His bravery comes from desperation, not confidence.
Téa Leoni makes Amanda annoying but understandable. She’s loud and makes bad choices. But she’s a mother looking for her child. Her panic feels genuine.
The Kirbys aren’t supposed to be experts. They’re regular people who would do anything for family.
Supporting Cast
Alessandro Nivola plays Billy Brennan, Grant’s graduate assistant. He’s eager and well-meaning but makes a critical error that puts everyone in danger.
Nivola captures that young person’s confidence that crosses into recklessness. Trevor Morgan plays Eric Kirby, the missing son.
He’s surprisingly capable for a kid who’s been alone on a dinosaur island for two months. Morgan makes Eric smart and resourceful without being unbelievable.
The supporting characters serve their purpose. They move the plot forward and give the dinosaurs people to chase.
Animation and Visuals
The dinosaurs look good, though not quite as impressive as the first film. The Spinosaurus is massive and terrifying, bigger than the T Rex. The animatronics feel heavy and real.
The Pteranodons in the aviary sequence look solid. These flying reptiles feel dangerous in a new way. The first two films kept us on the ground. Now the sky isn’t safe either.
Isla Sorna looks wild and overgrown. The jungle is thick. Dinosaurs could be hiding anywhere.
The film doesn’t have the budget of the first two movies. Some shots look cheaper. But the important sequences work well enough.
Music and Soundtrack
Don Davis composed the score for this film, not John Williams. You notice the difference right away.
Williams’ iconic themes appear briefly, reminding you what made the first film special. But the new score is just serviceable.
It builds tension when needed but lacks that memorable quality. The dinosaur sounds are still impressive. The Spinosaurus roar is deep and threatening.
The Pteranodon screeches are sharp and unsettling. The jungle sounds alive. Birds calling. Water dripping. Branches breaking.
The film uses sound to build suspense. You often hear the dinosaurs before you see them. That worked in the first film, and it works here too.
Critical Reception
Jurassic Park 3 got mixed reviews. Critics saw its problems clearly. The audience had fun but felt disappointed.
Professional Critics
Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars. He appreciated the action sequences but found the plot thin. He noted the film felt rushed and incomplete.
Critics agreed the movie lacked the intelligence of the first film. The characters make dumb choices. The story feels like an excuse to show dinosaurs chasing people.
Professional reviewers appreciated Sam Neill’s return. They liked the practical effects. But they wished the script had more depth.
Audience Reviews
Dinosaur fans enjoyed seeing new species. The Spinosaurus fight satisfied people who wanted something different. The Pteranodon sequence gave us a new kind of threat.
But longtime fans felt let down. The film is shorter than its predecessors. The story feels incomplete. Plot threads don’t resolve properly.
Casual viewers had fun. It’s a quick thrill ride. You get dinosaur action without much waiting. For some people, that’s exactly what they wanted.
Overall Consensus
Most agree this is the weakest Jurassic Park film at the time of its release. It lacks the wonder of the first and the spectacle of The Lost World.
But it’s not without merit. The pacing is fast. The action is solid. Sam Neill’s return matters to fans of the original.
The film works as a B movie. If you want sophisticated storytelling, look elsewhere. If you want dinosaurs chasing people for 90 minutes, this delivers.
Final Rating
Professional critics rated Jurassic Park 3 between 5 to 6.5 out of 10. Audience scores sit around 6 to 7 out of 10, depending on expectations.
I’m giving it a 6 out of 10. It’s entertaining but forgettable. The action works. The characters don’t.
This film works best for franchise completists and people who just want dinosaur action. Fans of the original will appreciate Sam Neill.
Families looking for a quick action movie will have fun. If you want depth or meaning, this isn’t it.
Conclusion
Jurassic Park 3 is the fast food of the franchise. It’s quick, satisfying in the moment, and gone from your mind an hour later.
The film doesn’t try to say anything important. It just wants to entertain you for 92 minutes with dinosaur chases.
I’ve watched Jurassic Park 3 twice now. Both times I had fun while it was on. Both times I forgot most of it within a day. That tells you everything.
You can find it on various streaming platforms or rent it digitally. Watch it if you’re completing the series.
Watch it if you want mindless action. Don’t expect it to match the original, and you won’t be disappointed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jurassic Park 3 appropriate for children?
Jurassic Park 3 carries a PG 13 rating for intense sci-fi terror and violence. The dinosaur attacks are scary, and there’s some mild language. Kids who handled the first two films should manage this one fine. I’d say it works best for ages 10 and up.
Do I need to watch the previous films first?
Not really. The film mentions events from the first movie, but you can follow along without seeing the others. That said, watching the original first helps you understand why Dr. Grant is so reluctant to return.
Is Jurassic Park 3based on a book?
No. The first two films adapted Michael Crichton’s novels, but this one is an original story created for the movie.
Where can I watch Jurassic Park 3?
You can stream Jurassic Park 3 on Peacock or rent it on Amazon Prime Video. It also rotates through other streaming services occasionally.
How does this compare to the other Jurassic Park films?
Most fans rank it as the weakest of the original trilogy. It’s shorter and less ambitious than the first two films. But it’s still a fun action movie if you keep your expectations reasonable.
