Mattel Announce Incredible Jurassic World Interactive and Trainable Velociraptor Blue Animatronic Toy!

Blue – this one’s for you.

Ever want to be a Jurassic World raptor wrangler (animal behaviorist) like Owen Grady, as played by Chris Pratt? If you think you have what it takes to keep those clever girls in line, this incredible new toy from Mattel is for you. Touted as their most complex interactive toy ever, this animatronic Velociraptor allows you to adopt Blue into your home, and test your skills caring for one of InGen’s deadliest dinosaurs.

Introducing the ‘Jurassic World Alpha Training Blue‘.

Remember – it’s not about control, it’s about respect.

One part adorable, one part cunning apex predator, and all parts awesome this dinosaur toy is like no other. Read the official details below, and check out a video of her in action thanks to CNet!

Get ready for thrilling action and adventure with Jurassic World! Relive captivating movie moments and exciting scenes with this line of film-inspired products featuring authentic detail, amazing design and incredible value fans will love!

Based on Velociraptor Blue, a fan-favorite character from Jurassic World, this fully interactive toy is operated with a remote control just like Owen’s clicker in the movie. With incredibly lifelike movement, Alpha Training Blue moves, blinks, roars, chomps and responds to your commands. With 4 modes of exciting play: Training Mode, Guard Mode, RC Mode, and Total Control Mode, you can learn to be an expert dinosaur trainer.

  • In Training Mode, the accelerometer-equipped controller allows Blue to mimic movements. You can give her treats, reward Blue by petting her, and move her using responsive motion commands. As you train, you unlock levels and her behavior improves.
  • Set Blue in a location and monitor movement in Guard Mode. When any “prey” gets within a foot of her motion sensors, the controller will vibrate. Issue appropriate commands to warn intruders
  • RC Mode uses the joystick portion of the controller to move around. Like a vehicle, you can control Blue to move forward, backward and side to side.
  • In Total Control Mode, you control your Blue’s movements, from her eyes and mouth to her head, you decide how she comes to life.
  • Blue is not your typical interactive toy – no matter how much you train her, she wont always listen, remaining slightly independent. However, the more you work with her and reward her good behavior, the more she’ll comply. The complexity of ways to play and train her will provide countless hours of fun – and the longer you leave her alone, the more she will revert to her wild state!

    Thankfully, Alpha Training Blue has an internal battery, meaning you can simply plug her in after play and do not need to spend extra cash buying batteries continuously. Further, she has a USB input, meaning if Mattel chooses to, she can be updated with new ways to play in the future!

    Pre-order now!

    Alpha Training Blue will release in time for the holidays this year, and retails for $249.99. Pre-order today from the following options:

    Amazon

    Entertainment Earth

    This is the perfect toy for Jurassic super fans of all ages, and is sure to take the shelves by storm this Holiday season. It was recently reported that Jurassic World toys are outselling Star Wars in the USA action figure sector, and we’re sure this will only aide further. For more on the strong Mattel sales, and how we think Universal can expand the brand beyond merchandise check out our article!

    Will you spare no expense, and take Blue home? Let us know in the comments below!

    Source: CNET, Amazon

    Jurassic World Toys Are Outperforming Star Wars – but How Can They Keep the Momentum? We Have Some Ideas!

    Star Wars has long been the gold standard for licensed media in the toy aisle, with a multitude of products, quality items, and strong sales. While the craftsmanship on the toys from Hasbro has seen a recent downward trend, causing their 2015 Jurassic World line to be met with much ire, Star Wars continues to perform successfully. It’s an evergreen property, with numerous movies, comics, books and cartoons to support interest and awareness with fans of all ages, driving toy sales forward.

    In 2016, it was announced Mattel had won the bid for the Jurassic World / Park toy master license, taking it from Hasbro who had held since 1993 (if you count that they owned Kenner). Mattel spared no expense, and hit the ground running with their Jurassic toy line which made its debut in Spring of 2018 to coincide with the latest sequel, Fallen Kingdom. With Mattel in charge of the license, they reaffirmed Jurassic as a quality industry leading brand, ripe with innovative and diverse play patterns, quality film accurate toys, topped off with incredible competitive pricing models not seen in current competition. These choices, along with the Jurassic presence in theaters now has led to kids, parents, and collectors all being enticed to purchase and play.

    With the latest waves of Mattel Jurassic World toys hitting shelves now, the dinosaurs are on a rampage of fun – according to the NPD Group, Jurassic is currently outselling Star Wars action figures in the US. Jurassic and Marvel led action figures sales to grow by 16%, which is no small feat given the closing of Toys R Us. While internationally, Star Wars is the number 3 overall brand (this encompasses more than action figures), and Jurassic has not broken top 10, this performance shows great opportunity for momentum moving forward – especially as dinosaur toys have grown in popularity by 77% year to date.

    Personally, I see incredible potential for Jurassic World moving forward – but it will take some work. As such, I’ve lightly outlined some of my proposed transmedia expansion concepts below.

    Room for Growth

    Universal Pictures in conjunction with Mattel and other brand partners are in the unique position to build upon this momentum to further strengthen brand awareness, diversity, and demand. Jurassic, regardless of a film in theaters, can and should become synonymous with dinosaur toys and products for fans of all ages. Dinosaurs have an everlasting appeal, and populate toy and product shelves even without expanded marketing. With Jurassic’s unique hold on pop culture, it can take hold of the forefront of dinosaur media and hardline sales, expanding it into new territory, just as Star Wars has become a prime staple of merchandise aisles.

    To fully leverage this opportunity, the brand itself need to expand its transmedia thumbprint and target as many different age groups and demographics as possible. While the films target a slightly older audience (around 7 and up) with a PG-13 rating, there is plenty of room for growth in the pre-school sector. To drive that brand awareness and acceptance amongst parents, something like a educational and friendly ‘Jurassic World Rangers’ animated series could do wonders – let it take place when the park was open, and follow the paths of vets and trainers working with the animals as they become sick or distressed. Let it be about aiding the animals, and let it teach young audiences all about the dinosaurs and characters jobs in exciting and positive scenarios. With the kids and parents on board, they’ll surely be fans for life as they grow into the core media and product offerings.

    To better sustain the core Jurassic brand, the possibilities and perhaps need for expanded media sustain programs are endless. This could range from toys backed by animated content targeting the appropriate age range and tone, animated series, books, comics, video games, and live action “spin-off” stories (be it film, TV, or shorts). Most importantly, this content must be high quality, representing the brands film legacy and reputation, delivering top of the line content no matter the outlet. In the age of social media, pop culture awareness and discussion is a self-running machine, but the more parts added into the mix, the more diverse, and prolific it becomes.

    Perhaps most unique to Jurassic, is the outlet for creative growth in the education sector. While the dinosaurs of Jurassic World are different from their real world namesakes, these differences can be fully embraced while collaborating with STEM partners to expand dinosaur knowledge. If Jurassic began partnering with the science community to expand real world dinosaur information in ways they cannot typically achieve alone, paleontologists, schools, museums, and other similar outlets will embrace the brand with open arms. Be it reinstating a website like Jurassic Park Institute, sharing news from Paleontological discoveries, or even sponsoring or curating dino-education TV or web programs such as documentaries, Jurassic would only further strengthen brand awareness while achieving a genuinely positive impact.

    The future for our very own Jurassic World is a vast expanse of endless opportunity of innovation and entertainment, fueling engagement across multiple platforms. My hope is new programs are continuously implemented to keep this momentum moving forward – spare no expense, and let dinosaurs rule the earth.

    Source: NPD Group (via Jedi Temple Archives)


    Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Dog Tags, Keychains, and Trading Cards from Bullitoys Are Here!

    Get ready to join the Dinosaur Protection Group and fight for the rights of dinosaurs everywhere with your very own collection of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom blind bag dog tags, trading cards and light up keychains.

       

    Each dog tag is packed with 1 dog tag, 1 sticker and the complete checklist, the checklist is especially helpful since BullsiToys boasts an impressive 24 unique character and dinosaur collection lineup. In addition to the quality crafted, sturdy, metal dog tags; complete with a strong necklace chain, the dog tags are nicely sized and nicely weighted so kids can enjoy the tag time and time again, or adult can display.

    BullsiToys also offers rare parallel foil tags and 3D dino stickers and my personal favorite, the authentic costume dog tags. Have you ever wanted to own an actual piece of the Jurassic franchise, without breaking the bank? Within each authentic costume dog tag is a costume piece worn by the 7 stars of the film. Personally, I had taken notice to BullsiToys and the Jurassic World Dog Tags during 2015’s Jurassic World well before writing this review. I was completely impressed with the quality and fairness in terms of price (Around $3.99 at your local Target or Amazon) and amount of unique dog tags and costume pieces that were included in each variety box of the product. The same can be said about the Fallen Kingdom tags as well.

    These dog tags are a must for any Jurassic fan, no matter if you’re a kid or a kid at heart.

    In addition to the dog tags, BulliToys has released a set of 8 unique light up keychains. On initial opening, I was extremely impressed with the attention to details and colorings that Bulls-I uses to recreate the dinosaurs of Isla Nublar. Each dinosaur is soft, lightweight and bendable, making for a comfortable and surprisingly useful part of any keychain assembly. The light is bright and does its job sufficiently for adults and will be amusing for kids to collect them all. Bullsitoy’s quality efforts are palpable in the release of new merchandise pertaining and catering to Jurassic Universe fans.

    If you ask any Jurassic fan what they’ve been asking for since the release of Jurassic Park in 1993, many will reply, “trading cards”. In 1993, Jurassic Park launched a series of trading cards that grew extremely memorable and successful for its fans. Since the release of the first film, no serious efforts have been released until now. BullsiToys does not fail to impress with its 88 card comprehensive set.

    The range expands 39 film scene cards with high definition glossy images on each card, 15 unique dino cards, 9 glow in the dark cards, 9 heat ‘n reveal cards, 9 3D action lenticular cards (a callback to “The Lost World” Jurassic Park” movie cover) and as with the dog tags, 7 costume cards. Each costume card is well comprised and strong with a postage stamp size swatch of clothing, with the corresponding character featured on the card, indicating the stats.

    Doubtless, the Bullsitoy line up for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is great for anyone who is a fan of the films. Their unique and comprehensive lineup of collectibles is entertaining, fun and downright addicting to collect; most of all, not only is the assortment diverse and high quality but also extremely affordable and fun. The blind bag feature treats every trip to Target as an adventure, 65 million years in the making. It is apparent that the company cares deeply about providing a great amount of detail and enjoyment to whomever encounters their products. But similar to dinosaurs, get them fast before they’re extinct.

    The dogtags and keychains retail at $3.99, and the trading cards can be picked up for $1.99.

    BullsiToys Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom lineup is currently available at Target stores nationwide.

    New Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom LEGO minifigure pack revealed

    New Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom LEGO minifigures were revealed today and we are getting a new Owen Grady, Claire Dearing, Ian Malcolm and baby Blue!

    According to The Brothers Brick, in past years minifigure packs have been part of Toys R Us’ annual Bricktober promotion, but as we all know Toys R Us officially closed their doors on June 29th. While LEGO has confirmed that the Harry Potter minifigure packs will be released at Barnes & Noble, it is unknown at this time where the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom pack will be available at.

    Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and on our forums.

    Source: The Brothers Brick

    OPINION: “So, how do you know the Kirbys?” – Jurassic Park III Revisited

    Allow me to share a memory with you.

    It is just after 7:00 PM on a weekday. Huddled behind a computer screen in my parental home’s small study, I’m listening to the clicking and humming sounds of the desktop computer dialing up.

    The internet comes to life and I frantically get to work: My parents have allotted me thirty minutes of internet time each night, no more, as dialing up makes it impossible to receive or make phone calls.

    These are exciting times: production of the third Jurassic Park film is in full swing, images taken at the set and published to promote the film find their way online. As it is early 2000, the Internet is not yet mainstream, but it is getting a foothold in most households and schools, enabling users to communicate more easily with people all over the planet.

    My number one, and only, priority online at this time is Jurassic Park III. For these thirty minutes I am sitting behind the computer with my fingers crossed, hoping the images and discussions on fan forums will load as quickly as possible, saving as much material as I can. Once offline again, I can write down my own thoughts and share them the following night. It is the first time I am able to follow a film’s production in real-time.

    As with the original Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), most of the cast and crew attached to the film are unknown to me. But it is now possible to read up on their bodies of work, to find out about the films they have acted in, or produced, or scored the music for.

    Details of the third film’s story itself are scarce: there will be redesigned Velociraptors (at one point they are presented as “feathered”), and a new threat, the Spinosaurus. A highlight; pictures of the absolutely massive Pteranodon aviary’s river and ravine set find their way online. While there is no sign of the winged beasts themselves, it’s safe to say I am impressed and most excited for all that is to grace the silver screen a few months on.

    Jurassic Park III

    Those days of having to dial-up feel as if a lifetime ago.

    We now know how the story ended. Jurassic Park III was met with mixed reviews, both professionally and by fans. Seventeen years on, bitter battles are still being fought about that greatest point of contention – the Spinosaurus killing the Tyrannosaurus rex.

    In the weeks, months and years following Jurassic Park III’s release, stories about a troubled production surfaced, revealing the filmmakers dealt with far larger problems than two fictionalized, beefed up top-predators duking it out.

    The biggest issue the film’s production ran into was the original script being thrown out weeks before filming would commence, forcing the writers to quickly come up with the current story – going as far as whole pages being written on the spot.

    This might have been a nightmare for the cast and crew, at times not knowing in the morning what they would be filming that very afternoon; in retrospect it may have been a blessing in disguise for fans. One version of the script saw Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler (Sam Neill and Laura Dern) in the process of separation.

    Keeping a notorious scene from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) in mind, one has to ask: do these writers and filmmakers derive a devilish delight from upsetting fans? Will they stop at nothing to shock devoted audiences?

    Luckily, director Joe Johnston felt the story they originally had in mind did not work, thus sparing us from having to actually witness the first film’s most beloved characters going through a divorce. Now, we just get a glimpse of what could have been before all hopes and dreams about seeing Alan and Ellie together are crushed by the revelation Ellie (now Degler – Sattler) has a new man in her life.

    It is here the story picks up and continues Alan Grant’s arch, which started eight years before in Jurassic Park.

    Jurassic Park III’s story does seem deceivingly simple on the surface. Struggling to generate funds for his research, Dr. Grant is invited by wealthy couple Paul and Amanda Kirby (William H. Macy and Téa Leoni) to serve as a guide for their flight over Isla Sorna. Partially pressured into joining them by his assistant Billy Brennan (Alessandro Nivola) he reluctantly agrees; believing the money the Kirbys offer to compensate his efforts can keep his dig site open and counting on the promise it is only a fly-over, Alan and Billy accompany the Kirbys and the small crew hired by them.

    Once the group reaches Isla Sorna, it turns out the Kirbys have an ulterior motive and do intend to land on the island. They are looking for their missing son, Eric (Trevor Morgan), and Amanda’s missing boyfriend Ben Hildebrand (Mark Harelik). As with every Jurassic Park film, it does not take long for events to take a nasty turn and disaster to strike. The plane is destroyed and the survivors get split up, forced to not just fight for survival; they must attempt to find one another again as well. And, hopefully, Eric.

    It comes as no surprise the film has a happy ending, seeing the Kirbys reunited with their son, and a rescue mission, orchestrated by Ellie’s husband Mark (Taylor Nichols), on its way to pick up the survivors.

    Jurassic Park III revisited

    I must confess I’ve never been the third film’s greatest champion myself. Though I’ve always found it an enjoyable film to pass a bit of time with and appreciated what it has to offer, it never felt as adequately made as The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It did not seem to add much to the larger Jurassic Park story, feeling more as if a spin-off rather than a true sequel.

    Recently, I stumbled upon the satirical trailer Screen Junkies created for Jurassic Park III. I deeply enjoy the spoof material the crew at Screen Junkies creates for the blockbuster films we all cherish. They unashamedly make fun of the more ridiculous aspects of these films, but they do so in good spirits and with a proportionate dose of healthy humor.

    I laughed at everything their Honest Trailer presented; after all, doesn’t Jurassic Park III deserve a bit of a verbal beating every now and then?

    Seeing that parody trailer, I felt the urge to give Jurassic Park III a new chance. At first, my idea was to go through it scene by scene and write a funny, but a little scathing, review. Instead, I ended up watching it four times in a single week, falling in love: despite its obvious shortcomings and the troubled production process that could have resulted in a disastrous film, it is charming. It has a genuine heart and soul, ensuring the film succeeds more than it fails, at times reaching highs rivaling events from the second film. It sports some impressive set pieces and marvelous animatronics.

    Watching it those four times, I realized it would be utterly unfair to write another damning review of the third Jurassic Park film. It’s easy to ridicule the film for what it does wrong, or is thought to mess up when it comes to the Jurassic Park mythology.

    It’s perhaps harder to see or appreciate everything it does right, being, if nothing else, a solid adventure film. This is testament of the skills of the scriptwriters: Alexander Payne, Peter Buchman, Jim Taylor and, not credited, John August, created a story which is simple but with compelling, even complex characters.

    After years of being the underdog of the franchise, it simply doesn’t deserve the treatment I was originally about to give it. After all, isn’t the underdog often a quiet, unknown and unsung hero?

    The dinosaurs of Jurassic Park III

    Paleontologist David Hone wrote the following about the clash of titans in his book The Tyrannosaur Chronicles (2016):

    “We know so much about the animals in this group – their anatomy, evolution, behaviour and general biology – but it’s almost impossible to say very much over the chorus of statements about how cool they are or questions as to whether they would win in a fight with Spinosaurus.”

    It’s the first that comes to mind when thinking of Jurassic Park III: the infamous fight between a Tyrannosaurus rex and the Spinosaurus. Much to both the bemusement and chagrin of paleontologists, the discussion seems far from over. If the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom concept art is to be believed, we came close to a rematch between the two behemoths – and a revival of the debate. In all fairness, a follow-up battle has been looming from the moment Jurassic Park III roared into movie theatres and on home release.

    Personally, the dethroning of the Tyrannosaurus as the largest carnivorous dinosaur in the franchise never bothered me. The Spinosaurus was a welcome change, not in the least because of its unique physical traits; the sail on its back and the crocodilian jaws, the large arms and three-fingered hands make it impossible to confuse the animal with any of the other carnivorous dinosaurs in the franchise.

    Being able to swim, the Spinosaurus offered new, exciting possibilities, this new trait fully utilized in one of the most impressive scenes in the history of Jurassic Park films. The Spinosaurus destroying the barge and thrashing through the river is an absolute highlight not just in the film, but technically too – rain, as has been well documented, was always a concern when it came to the animatronic dinosaurs in the first two films. This time, the dinosaur had to be able to withstand much more than just rain, being placed in the studio’s artificial lake for this final confrontation, facing not just water but fire as well.

    The outcome is a small miracle; the impressive work of the Stan Winston Studio crew and the finest digital effects created by the ILM team combined created a heart-stopping sequence.

    When it comes to the (re-)design of the dinosaurs, the new “V.2” Velociraptors are an absolute highlight. More intelligent than we’ve experienced them before, the animals interact and socialize with one another, consciously plotting against the humans. There are distinct differences between the males and females – and a matriarch clearly in charge of the pack. The animals are not just portrayed as murderous beasts; they seem to be thoughtful, considerate and even capable of compassion towards their own kind.

    The Pteranodons were given an overhaul too. Largely scrapped from The Lost World: Jurassic Park in favor of the San Diego climax, the flying reptiles only featured in the closing scene of that film, reigning the skies above Isla Sorna with an almost regal appearance.

    The rulers of the sky were given quite a different look for Jurassic Park III; a little smaller, more vicious and, ironically, with teeth. (Pteranodon means “winged and toothless”.)

    That’s not to say they are less impressive. The aviary scenes in which they appear are some of the most thrilling in the film, creating a clear and unique identity that sets Jurassic Park III apart from the other films in the franchise.

    Other dinosaurs fulfilled less prominent parts. The Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Compsognathus make brief returns, appearing in the fly-over scene, on the riverbank and, in the case of Compsognathus, not just around the overturned water truck Eric hides in, but during the fight between the Tyrannosaurus and Spinosaurus as well. Keen observers can spot a small flock of Compsognathus fleeing the scene as the island’s rulers battle in the jungle.

    New dinosaurs making small appearances are the Corythosaurus, living in a herd with its more famous cousin Parasaurolophus, a pair of male Ankylosaurus lumbering through the forests and along the riverbank, and a single Ceratosaurus deciding against eating Grant and the Kirbys after they retrieved the lost satellite phone from the Spinosaur’s excrements.

    Even now, seventeen years on, many of the animatronic and visual effects remain at the top of their game, comfortably rivaling more recent work. Naturally some of it has aged, which comes with the territory and ever changing technology; as a whole, and with the practical and CGI effects combined, the visuals are still solid as a rock, immersing us in that strange, resurrected prehistoric world on Isla Sorna.

    The characters of Jurassic Park III

    The visual effects are only half of the success of these films. As with Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the true secret of Jurassic Park III’s replay value lies with the characters.

    That might not be too obvious at first. The characters in Jurassic Park III are some of the heavier criticized elements of the film. As with the other two films though, the success of a Jurassic Park film stems from the fact it is about quite ordinary, relatable people being thrust into extraordinary and unexpected circumstances. In this case, trying to survive amongst cloned dinosaurs living freely on a tropical island.

    Much like The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III follows a template laid out by the original film. There are elements used in all three films: the main characters are oblivious to or ignorant about the dinosaurs until coming eye to eye with the animals. There is at least one sequence in which a mode of transportation is destroyed by a top predator. And main characters make predictions or observations which come to fruition during the course of the film, for example Alan Grant describing the theorized hunting methods of Velociraptors: Robert Muldoon (Bob Peck) is killed verbatim by the end of Jurassic Park.

    While Jurassic Park III does roughly follow the story and character templates as presented in the previous two films, it just as easily deviates from it. The destruction of the aircraft happens quite early on. The main characters’ first true encounter with a dinosaur (not counting the fly-by) is with a large predator. The deaths all take place within the first forty minutes of the film. And unlike its predecessors, the end of the third film does not finish with an exciting climax or big battle between two dinosaur species or dinosaurs confronting the arriving marines.

    Either by choice or out of necessity, Jurassic Park III dares to be a little different from what came before, just like its characters.

    “This was a stupid decision but I did it with the best intentions.”

    Well established in the Jurassic Park films are supporting characters possessing a set of skills they can and will use sometime during the film. From Lex’s (Ariana Richards) knowledge of complex computer systems to Kelly’s (Vanessa Lee Chester) gymnastic skills, the supporting characters are given a moment to shine and save other characters with their wit and knowledge.

    Billy Brennan is no exception. En route to Isla Sorna, Billy reveals to Grant his old bag’s strap once saved him from a mishap while hang-gliding in New Zealand. “Survival of the most idiotic,” Grant grumpily remarks before closing his eyes for a nap.

    The information about Billy’s misadventure proves valuable when the survivors of the plane crash find the parasail Eric and Ben used. Grant asks Billy, half in jest, if he would be able to fly with it, before suggesting taking it with them to draw the attention of planes that might pass over the island.

    As expected (and revealed in the trailers), Billy instead uses the parasail to traverse the aviary’s narrow canyon, attempting to rescue Eric from the Pteranodons’ hungry chicks.

    Eric is saved, but Billy falls prey to the adult Pteranodons, eventually giving up and sacrificing himself to allow the others a chance of escape.

    Here, the script proves unpredictable, diverging one final time from that template we know and have come to expect; Billy has survived and was found by the navy before the Kirby-family and Grant are picked up. Grant and Billy are reunited on the navy’s helicopter.

    It is a chance for Grant to make amends after scolding Billy for stealing two Velociraptor eggs from nests they encountered before the group was separated. Through the course of the film we learn Grant and Billy have a mutual respect for one another. As disaster strikes they must try to survive by utilizing all their knowledge and experience, unwillingly becoming the leaders of the small group.

    The friendship between the seasoned paleontologist and the boyishly enthusiastic student takes a punch when Grant discovers the theft.

    After Billy has disappeared and the remaining survivors are floating down the river on the barge, we find Grant lost in thought, mourning the loss of his apprentice. Billy, young, curious and driven by a hunger to succeed, might have been more than just a student to Grant; he was not only part of the next generation of scientists, but possibly a reflection of Grant in his younger years as well.

    During this brief meditative moment we learn Grant truly appreciated Billy’s company and enthusiasm, his student’s love for the animals he studied resurfacing within himself when the barge passes the dinosaurs on the riverbank. A peaceful scene far removed from the carnage the survivors endured.

    “You never can tell about people, can you?”

    Grief and mourning are not luxuries awarded to mercenaries Cooper (John Diehl) and Nash (Bruce Young). They only play brief parts, and there is hardly anything in it for them that constitutes as “character development”. They truly are along for the ride as dinosaur-fodder.

    Despite their modest appearances, there is a significant shift in their characters. As Cooper, Nash and booking agent Udesky (Michael Jeter) set out to secure the area, they do so with great confidence. Believing it will indeed be a walk in the park, as Udesky assured Paul Kirby over the phone earlier in the film, they seem to expect finding Eric and Ben within a few hours.

    It is not long after they have entered the jungle surrounding the abandoned airfield the tables are turned; whatever horrors they faced changed them from experienced combatants into terrified, trembling men trying nothing else but to escape. Nash and Udesky reach the plane safely. Cooper is left behind.

    It’s most notably Nash who’s clearly shaken. That fine moment of absolute terror comes across best when he says with a trembling voice, “give me a hand here, Udesky,” trying to get his seatbelt on while firing up the aircraft; it’s spoken with the utmost fear of whatever roams the jungle outside, while still composing himself to ensure the plane takes off safely and in the proper manner. But the way he speaks and the look on his face are all telling. He has one objective: to get the aircraft off the ground and away from the dinosaur they encountered, protecting his employers and their guests.

    The acting in this scene is, if nothing else, absolutely solid. With the smallest of hand gestures, facial expressions and verbal commands, Nash and Udesky truly set the moment. It is clear they are not equipped to deal with the monster that lies in wait.

    Despite Nash’s and Udesky’s best efforts to make an escape, the plane is downed as the Spinosaurus scoops up Cooper from the runway right in front of the aircraft, forcing Nash to pull up too early. With the fuel cut off the plane crashes, ending up in a tree.

    It is here Nash perishes in the jaws of the Spinosaurus. The third film doesn’t hold back when it comes to the few death scenes; Nash is being killed in a particularly gruesome fashion, first ripped out of the aircraft’s fuselage, then thrown to the ground and stepped upon. It is all shown in its horrifying glory. The presumed ripping off of his head does happen off-screen, but the suggestion is enough to leave a lasting impression.

    With Cooper and Nash gone, only Udesky remains. Having returned to the airplane’s wreck the five survivors try to salvage as much as they can; we are given a brief shot of Udesky amidst the wreckage, holding up a damaged rifle. He throws it aside as it turns out it is beyond repair. It’s a subtle way of letting the audience know why the group doesn’t have any weapons left.

    It is Udesky who provides the more natural comic relief. “If we split up, I’m going with you guys,” he tells Billy as Amanda and Paul argue nearby during their trek through the jungle.

    Much like Cooper and Nash, Udesky is given little chance to develop beyond being a hired hand. He does get an opportunity to showcase a bit of his talents, succeeding in getting Amanda’s video camera to play the recording made two months before, the footage lending a little more credibility to the idea Ben and Eric might still be alive.

    Eventually, Udesky is killed by Velociraptors. Like Nash’s death, his is exceptionally gruesome, a Velociraptor delivering the final blow by planting one of its sickle-claws right into Udesky’s spine.

    “Does anyone have a question that does not relate to Jurassic Park?”

    As one pair of Velociraptors kills Udesky, Alan Grant, now separated from the rest of the group, studies another. The animals are communicating with each other, snarling and grunting, clearly looking for someone – or something.

    Despite his previous experience with the animals on Isla Nublar, Grant can’t help but observe from his vantage point. His curiosity getting the better of him for a moment, he wants to learn more about the creatures that nearly cost him his life years before.

    In The Lost World: Jurassic Park John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) tries to sell a journey to Isla Sorna as possible vindication to Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). Malcolm flat out refuses, only changing his mind when he learns his girlfriend, paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore), has traveled to the island on her own to get a head start.

    Grant agreeing to travel to the island after he labeled InGen’s creations “theme park monsters” during his lecture earlier in the film with the only motivator being a financial compensation was met with ridicule by fans, considered a lazy solution to get Alan Grant back into the film.

    While I do agree it’s not the most elegant of solutions, it’s not entirely out of bounds either. Paleontology is a branch of science relying heavily on donations. Flying over the island and serving as tour guides is easy money for Grant and Billy, enough to fund their dig site and secure the continuation of their research.

    The criticism of the money offered being enough to have Grant change his mind is often accompanied by the complaint Grant doesn’t really have any character development to speak of. We first meet him when he is sitting in the garden with Ellie’s son. He’s still not truly accustomed to being around children, and he again ends up trying to survive on a dinosaur-infested island, including having a kid in tow.

    As we are taught early on, Grant publicly expresses nothing but disdain for InGen and their tampering with DNA. But privately, he can’t help passionately discuss the vocal abilities of the Velociraptors with Ellie; she’s one of the few other people having had such a close encounter with the animals, understanding Grant better than most.

    Velociraptor vocal abilities become a recurring theme when Grant tries to have Ellie’s pet parrot Jack speak his name. “He used to know me,” he says, pulling away from the bird’s cage slightly disappointed when his attempts prove unsuccessful; the endeavor of trying to make the parrot speak transpires into the nightmare of the Velociraptor saying “Alan” on the empty aircraft.

    By the end of the film, Grant uses the cast of the resonating chamber to imitate a Raptor’s cry for help, hoping the familiar sound created by the intruding humans will confuse the Velociraptors enough to prevent them from attacking.

    Grant’s character does undergo a change, though it happens quite early on in the film. Once the group reaches the island, an almost lost passion is reignited within Grant while spotting living dinosaurs for the first time in eight years. “My god, I’d forgotten,” he says to Billy as they watch herds of animals pass below them.

    The joyful moment is brief: the plane lands on the island. Cooper knocks out Grant as he tries to make his way towards the cockpit, objecting to the aircraft setting down. From that moment on, contempt for his hosts and a fascination with the animals they encounter take tumultuous turns during the journey across the island.

    It’s hard to say if, by the end of the film and having survived the dinosaurs once more, Grant has undergone significant, lasting change. An exchange between him and Eric on how both would like to return to the island in years to come was left out of the film. Could it be Grant is never truly able to let go? Would he possibly contemplate one last adventure, properly prepared, to face the animals that are both his livelihood and haunt his dreams?

    “I think I can manage the next two minutes without you.”

    It’s equally impossible to tell if Eric Kirby would really consider a future return to Isla Sorna after his harrowing misadventure. Having adapted to life on the island and camping out in an old water truck, there is a nice reversal of roles when Eric rescues Grant from the Velociraptors. Much like Grant, the audience is quite astonished the boy has lasted this long. Unfortunately, we learn little about how Eric survived, other than him staying in the vicinity of the old laboratory, hoping a rescue mission would start searching for him in that area.

    Neither do we learn how the more unfortunate Ben Hildebrand perished right after ending up on the island, still trapped in the parasail’s harness.

    With this, Eric’s story might well be the most intriguing and adventurous, but the film never takes a moment to explore how Eric spent his time collecting the items stocked in the truck, evading dinosaurs and observing them, ironically making him the least interesting character of the entire film, while at the same time being the reason the entire expedition has been mounted in the first place.

    Grant does inquire how Eric endured those eight weeks, but Eric remains quite tight-lipped on this; the conversation then shifts to issues Alan Grant and Eric Kirby have in common – being alive on Isla Sorna and a shared aversion for Ian Malcolm and his theories on Chaos.

    “Paul Kirby, Kirby Enterprises.”

    Surprisingly, Alan Grant and Paul Kirby have something in common as well. Their fragile professional relationship strained once Grant realizes he has been taken to the island under false pretences, it is interesting to see both have former partners who are now in relationships with other, presumably more successful, men.

    In a twist of fate, Paul is unable to save Ben Hildebrand for Amanda, while Mark Degler is the one who, informed by Ellie, eventually intervenes and ensures the navy rescues Billy, Grant and the Kirbys.

    While they have this in common, Alan Grant and Paul Kirby differ from one another like night from day. Grant is educated, capable and rugged, whereas Paul comes across as not very proactive, clumsy and even incompetent. Having you wonder if you’d trust him installing a bathroom or a kitchen in your home to begin with.

    However, Paul Kirby does possess a poker face and guts. He not only manages ensnaring Billy Brennan and Dr. Grant with the promise of financial support for their dig site, he succeeds in enlisting the mercenaries and chartering a private plane to get them to Isla Sorna: Paul improvises his way through the entire ordeal, finding himself capable of much more than just being a dull salesman.

    An ordeal not even his fault to begin with. After all, it was his ex-wife’s new boyfriend who took their son to Isla Sorna. Paul has graciously set aside whatever differences he and Amanda have to help her not just finding their son, but rescuing Ben as well – and he is convinced they will bring both back home safely.

    He does so selflessly and in the process nearly loses his own life, trying to distract the Spinosaurus by climbing a gigantic construction crane, giving Grant, Eric and Amanda a fighting chance. Paul Kirby becomes the true, unacknowledged hero of Jurassic Park III.

    Paul isn’t entirely blameless, having conspired with his ex-wife to bring Dr. Grant with them by carefully hiding the true nature of their trip. Yet, I can’t help feel for the poor guy. It’s not his fault his son was lost. He perseveres and remains endlessly optimistic, believing they will succeed and the outcome of their expedition will be positive.

    Once the Kirbys and Grant make it to the barge Paul takes the lead, starting to plan ahead, trying to think of ways to attract the attention of passing planes or ships once they have reached the coast.

    By the end of the film, having found their son and having lived through the experience together as a family, we can briefly see Paul and Amanda hold hands as the navy lands on the beach. Is it possible they have truly reconciled and might try to build a life together again?

    “Dr. Grant, you have no idea how important it is to us that you come along. It would make all the difference.”

    While Paul is the man wielding the pen and checkbook, Amanda’s invitation is heartfelt and sincere. Minutes before, Grant and Billy joining the Kirbys at the diner, she seemed nervous. After her husband explains they love the outdoors, she interjects they have two seats reserved on the first commercial flight to the Moon; the claim comes off as fabricated.

    But convincing Dr. Grant to join them she partially speaks the truth; it truly would make a difference. His expertise is needed to survive. It’s hard to say if Amanda’s personal request or Paul’s offer of a sizeable compensation for his trouble is what eventually convinces Grant; it is clear her entire demeanor changes between the two statements, trying to persuade Grant to join their expedition, the true reason for his desired presence kept well hidden.

    As one of the less popular characters in the Jurassic Park franchise, Amanda Kirby is the odd one out: the other leading ladies, Ellie Sattler and Sarah Harding, are both scientists, coming with experience, knowledge and predefined skills. In fact, the children aside, all characters in the previous two films were present on the islands in a professional capacity, either invited by Hammond or as employees of InGen. For the first, and so far only, time in the franchise the lead characters truly are civilians who are entirely out of their depth.

    On the surface, this may make Amanda seem a little dull and uninteresting; it also makes her slightly unpredictable.

    There lays a more complex character beyond the seemingly clueless, bullhorn-carrying woman. Leoni gives one hell of a performance when it comes to playing the guilt-ridden mother. Once the game is up and Grant and Billy know the true story, the mask falls away and she shows great versatility.

    From her disbelief when they are ordered back on the plane by Udesky and Nash to evacuate (will they give up the search?), to the moment they find the abandoned camera and she learns Ben has died, leaving Eric stranded entirely on his own – hope, grief and despair take quick turns. Leoni communicates all these emotions through subtle facial expressions and body language.

    Amanda Kirby is, if nothing else, a desperate mother trying to save both her son and partner, no matter the cost.

    While Amanda and Paul might be underestimating the dangers they face on the island because their focus is on the safe return of Eric and Ben, they both learn quickly.

    Locked behind the laboratory’s cage’s gate with Billy, Amanda thinks fast and takes charge, her action temporarily trapping the Velociraptor hunting them and ensuring the group can make a dash for the jungle. She again takes the lead at the end of the film, having Grant hand her the eggs so she can push them towards the anticipating Velociraptors.

    It is true she utters quite a few screams and the bullhorn scene draws as many laughs as it does eye rolls; from the character’s perspective she’s doing what seems both reasonable and out of utter despair.

    Amanda Kirby not being experienced and unprepared for what they may find makes it a little easier to understand her plight when she, still clinging to the life jacket Eric wore, is confronted with Ben’s remains. While the reveal of the skeleton, practically falling on top of her, is played for audience laughs, it is a deeply traumatizing moment for Amanda.

    Even though she witnessed the death of Nash and possibly saw what happened to Cooper as well, this is the first time she is bluntly confronted with the truth: people die on Isla Sorna, no matter hired hands or loved ones. Despite Paul’s assurances and optimism it could very well be Eric did not make it either.

    Site… B-movie?

    There is a strange duality to the criticism leveled at Jurassic Park III. While it is regularly considered a lesser work than The Lost World: Jurassic Park, you are at the same time often expected to think of Jurassic Park III as a more entertaining and better film than the first sequel.

    As film is a form of art and art is usually not easily judged objectively, it is difficult to say where the third film truly should be placed.

    Working against Jurassic Park III are the facts The Lost World: Jurassic Park was adapted from the accompanying novel (though the film’s story was radically changed), had Steven Spielberg at its helm and was the first, highly anticipated sequel to hit sensation Jurassic Park.

    A second sequel, no matter how good, would most likely never be able to live up to the original, and perhaps not even its more recent predecessor. With Steven Spielberg taking a backseat as executive producer, the absence of Michael Crichton and David Koepp as writers of the script, and John Williams having other engagements preventing him from writing and composing the third film’s score, some of the magic seems at first sight lost.

    However, other people taking over did offer a chance of exploring a different side of the franchise and taking risks with it, introducing some elements and scenes more recent blockbusters might not even have dared commit to paper. One of those being the, at first glance, rather underwhelming finale of the film.

    The Kirbys reunited, with Grant having found Eric very much alive and the final hurdle overcome by returning the stolen eggs to the Velociraptors, the survivors find themselves on a beach where a mysterious man in a nice looking suit (Frank Clem) stands alone as if he has simply taken a small break during a leisurely stroll.

    Raising a bullhorn to call out for Dr. Grant it quickly becomes apparent this man is not alone at all; he is joined by the navy landing on the beach, the armed forces ready to find Dr. Grant and his party.

    The brief history of the Jurassic Park films and film logic itself dictate we should be rewarded with a final battle between man and beast. Originally, several confrontations were considered for the end of the film; ranging from Grant luring the Velociraptors to the river to battle the Spinosaurus (with the Velociraptors eventually killing the Spinosaurus), to Pteranodons attacking the navy’s helicopters, the ideas were nothing short of spectacular.

    Instead, having Grant and the Kirbys plainly walk up to them, the troops pack up as quickly as they came. While this may be a disappointing end to the film for fans and viewers who had expected an all-out battle between the navy and the local wildlife, the quiet and quick retreat is a rather realistic approach to the situation. With the mission accomplished there is no reason to engage in a conflict with the island’s rulers and risking the lives of the troops sent to retrieve the survivors.

    Against all odds, Grant and Billy are reunited. Having been found by the navy just before Grant and the Kirbys arrived at the beach, Billy is wounded but alive. It’s a surprising step off the beaten path for the film, having a character presumed dead return later on, very much alive – rumor has it Alessandro Nivola himself negotiated his character would survive, giving Billy Brennan a chance to return in a sequel.

    With the survivors safely on board the helicopter, the troops leave Isla Sorna behind. Both the characters and audiences are given one last good look at some of the Pteranodons, now free and taking to the skies. No longer monstrous and terrifying but majestic and graciously gliding past the helicopters, they are leaving their former home and prison behind. With both Billy’s survival and the Pteranodons’ escape leaving room for a sequel, the animals’ destination remains unknown once the credits roll.

    Jurassic Park III leaves quite a few practical questions unresolved. The film doesn’t always adhere to information established by the previous films, actual science or even simple logic.

    Though Jurassic Park III does not concern itself too much with scientific explanations or consciously adding much to the mythology, it does take us to some locations not seen before; the laboratory and the aviary. Both locations were first introduced in the novels by Michael Crichton, albeit in slightly different forms.

    When it does momentarily explore science, it is well explained within the movies’ universe and serves a purpose. The film continues Grant’s research on Velociraptor behavior and communication. It gives Alan and Ellie a private moment to reminisce on their shared experience, exchanging observations they made back on Isla Nublar and more recently through the study of dinosaur fossils.

    What it lacks in science, it compensates for with human drama. While the pace is fast and the film is short, clocking in under just an hour and a half without the credits, the small principal cast allows us to get to know the characters and their motivations a little better than we do in some of the other films.

    As a result of that small cast, he film offers its characters moments to reflect on loss, or to express the fear of loss; to grieve and to reconcile. Given the nature of the film, many of the characters’ responses to the situations they find themselves in feel grounded in reality without the actors’ performances being too over the top.

    The only film in the franchise not featuring a human antagonist, the tension instead relies on conflict within the group and the characters’ different objectives: Grant refuses to believe Eric could still be alive and wants to push for the coast; the Kirbys don’t want to leave the island without their son; and Billy risks his friendship with Grant by stealing the Velociraptor eggs, endangering everyone as it turns out the Velociraptors are actively hunting them.

    All these elements combined create a film that may not be perfect, but make for an adventure film with at its heart two desperate people who will do anything to find their loved ones; and is that not the one element all Jurassic Park films have in common – well written, relatable human characters with a strong desire not just to survive, but to save those they love and care for?

    Jurassic Park III’s legacy

    Having fully immersed myself in the world of Jurassic Park III for weeks on end, re-watching the film and a plethora of documentaries, making-of material, studying film stills, conceptual artwork, and listening to Don Davis’ soundtrack on repeat, one question remains: what is Jurassic Park III’s true legacy? It seems easy to dismiss Jurassic Park III as just a spin-off, good for a bit of entertainment during a rainy Sunday afternoon, as quickly forgotten as the adventure is enjoyed.

    A little uncomfortably wedged between four larger and financially more successful films, the third movie is often blamed for putting the Jurassic Park franchise in the proverbial coma. On the surface it indeed seems to have had little to no influence on what would be to come fourteen years later.

    Surprisingly, Jurassic Park III quite literally left a sizeable mark on the films that were to follow: Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

    Whereas both Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park were mainly dominated by the Velociraptors and, in particular, the Tyrannosaurs, the third film’s creators soon realized the Tyrannosaurs’ reign over the islands and theme park was about to come to an end.

    Having been the star dinosaurs of the first two films, the Tyrannosaurs would hardly present an element of surprise in any future films. Despite their historic and contemporary popularity, there were not a whole lot of options left to sweep audiences off of their feet with.

    Originally, Baryonyx was considered as the new main threat to both the human characters and Isla Sorna’s wildlife. The filmmakers eventually settled for Spinosaurus aegypticus, a dinosaur larger than Tyrannosaurus rex and easily distinguishable from the other predatory dinosaurs seen before in the franchise.

    Having done the unfathomable by killing the Tyrannosaurus rex, the act establishing the Spinosaurus as Isla Sorna’s heir to the throne, and the final shot of the Spinosaurus fleeing the river as Grant succeeds in lighting the gasoline floating on the surface of the river, left the possibility of the animal returning in a future sequel wide open.

    The return of the Spinosaurus did not become a reality. Jurassic World introduced a new threat that was bigger and more dangerous than both Tyrannosaurus rex and Spinosaurus. This new creature, named Indominus rex, was a fictional animal, made out of the DNA of different dinosaurs. Not only larger than its predecessors, it was capable of camouflaging itself in the jungle, becoming virtually invisible to humans and animals passing by it. This trait certainly gave it an edge over the Tyrannosaurus rex and Spinosaurus.

    Jurassic Park III saw the Velociraptors return to their former glory; while an extensive sequence with the animals chasing survivors through the abandoned InGen worker village and laboratory had been planned for The Lost World: Jurassic Park, their screen time was cut considerably in favor of the Tyrannosaurus rex escaping from the cargo ship and terrorizing San Diego.

    Looking quite different from their kin in the previous films, the third film’s Velociraptors were given far more time on film, chasing the survivors not just through the old laboratory, but open fields and jungle as well.

    It’s this pack of Velociraptors in Jurassic Park III that paved the way for Blue and her siblings; displaying intelligence and highly developed communicative skills, the capability to set traps, the ability to restrain themselves from killing and reconsidering options when Grant tries to distract them with the cast of the resonating chamber opened up new opportunities not yet explored before.

    The influence of sequels

    Why are the Spinosaurus and Velociraptors from Jurassic Park III of such importance? How did they influence the new films? To answer these questions, we have to take into consideration a rumor that started during Jurassic World’s production.

    The rumor was quite simple: Jurassic World was to be the true sequel to Jurassic Park, deleting the other two films from the franchise’s canon.

    Director Colin Trevorrow himself quickly dispelled this rumor, assuring worried fans this was never his intention and the first two sequels would remain part of the canon. They simply would have limited influence on the new films.

    Had the rumor been true, could Jurassic World directly following Jurassic Park have worked, and would Jurassic World have existed in its current form? I argue it would not have on both counts.

    Had Jurassic World truly been the one and only follow-up to Jurassic Park, Indominus rex would most likely not have been brought to life; the jump from an animal that actually lived once, Tyrannosaurus rex, to an entirely fictionalized creature would simply have been too great, especially considering the absolute wealth of real dinosaurs known from the fossil record left unexplored by the films.

    As it stands, the Indominus rex is the very product of the previous films going bigger and bolder with each new entry. Spinosaurus truly is the evolutionary step between Jurassic Park’s Tyrannosaurus rex and Jurassic World’s Indominus; the latter animal’s creation catering to a very clear desire of film audiences. They want it bigger, louder, more dangerous and with more teeth.

    The same very much goes for the intelligence displayed by the Velociraptors in Jurassic World. Having been raised in captivity by human handlers, the Velociraptors are capable of following verbal and non-verbal commands. They are eventually set free to hunt down the Indominus rex, believed to be under control just enough to do so safely – and out of sheer desperation, every other option exhausted.

    Going from Jurassic Park, where the Velociraptors lived in a heavily fortified and well-guarded pen, straight to Jurassic World, in which they interact far more closely with their human caregivers, would have been too large a step to be believable within the films’ universe.

    Herein lies Jurassic Park III’s true inheritance the future films are indebted to, the film naturally bridging the two trilogies: introducing a menagerie of more dangerous and more intelligent dinosaurs than we had seen before, Jurassic Park III cleared the path for those far more outrageous avenues explored in both Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

    In defense of the underdog

    For now leaving Isla Sorna behind with Dr. Grant and his companions having made it safely off the island, how do I feel about the film as it recently celebrated its seventeenth anniversary?

    I have certainly found a new appreciation for it. Despite a tumultuous production time and the looming deadline, Joe Johnston and his team delivered a film that’s tight, action packed and entertaining. It doesn’t waste much time on explaining in detail what we are seeing when the unwilling explorers find the laboratory or the giant barrier standing in the way of a true reunion between Eric and his parents; while possibly a missed opportunity to expand the mythology, it retains a slight air of mystery as well – and it’s this mystery that infuses the entire film. Much like the travelers, we see only those parts of the island they explore. None of them have an idea of what they might run into, there is no one telling them beforehand what they should expect or might possibly stumble upon.

    In short, the film leaves a lot to the imagination while at the same time rewarding its viewers with some of the finest animatronics, visual effects and set pieces the franchise has to offer.

    For a long time, Jurassic Park III was my third favorite film in the franchise, after Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

    The second and third film traded places on that personal list recently. The Lost World: Jurassic Park undeniably is the bigger, more ambitious film with higher stakes for its characters and dinosaurs, serving as a renewed warning on the unpredictability of tampering with genetic material and the short-sighted belief nature can be controlled and molded to our own specifications and desires.

    Jurassic Park III is a continuation and result of both Dr. Malcolm having breached his NDA by revealing InGen successfully resurrected dinosaurs and the film’s spectacular finale. The secret now out, it shows us how thrill seekers, tourists and adventurers might attempt to get to Isla Sorna to catch a glimpse of the dinosaurs.

    As a film it is smaller than its predecessor, at times more claustrophobic and a little simplified. At its core there are big ideas and action sequences the other two films did not get around to incorporating; these are not simply rejected elements not deemed good enough for the original films – at the time those first two films were made some of these scenes, such as the river attack, were technically too challenging to be executed in a believable and satisfying manner.

    As such the film should not just be measured by its financial gains or records broken. It should be measured, too, with an understanding of the effort put into the project, the awareness of a difficult job fulfilled under tremendous odds against the endeavor.

    To me, the films traded places (not by a large margin, I greatly appreciate both) because, despite all the troubles it faced, it works. It tells the endearing story of two estranged people who try to find their son, willing to do anything to succeed, even if that means inadvertently taking everyone else down with them in their attempt.

    It sounds like a dreadful concept for a Jurassic Park movie but the film pulls it off with a fresh spark and flair; while short, it manages to be more than just an endless rollercoaster ride – it gives both its characters and the audience a bit of room to breathe and reflect at various points throughout the movie.

    Appealing too is the aforementioned mystery. The characters have no true guide across the island; they are not even in possession of a map. While The Lost World: Jurassic Park gave alcoholic Peter Ludlow (Arliss Howard) the benefit of the doubt because he had knowledge of the village and operations building (and the way leading to it), the characters in Jurassic Park III are entirely left to their own devices. They truly represent the audience; they are unprepared and inexperienced when it comes to dealing with the new dinosaurs and trying to find their way around and off the island.

    It’s this mystery and these new characters that ultimately won me over again. Paul and Amanda Kirby, Udesky, Billy Brennan and, of course, Dr. Alan Grant returning, form an odd bunch to go tramping around Isla Sorna with; the story, the performances, the characters’ different motivations and objectives, the astounding visual effects, locations and sets make for an achievement that is nothing short of sensational, an adventure I now keep returning to – Amanda Kirby’s request having become the invitation I can never decline.

    Acknowledgements

    There are several people I would like to thank for their help, both directly and indirectly, in the writing of this article. Without them, it would have been a far lesser work.

    First of all, Justin. Two years ago, Justin graciously let me publish an article called “From Jurassic Park to Jurassic World: the influence of sequels” on his personal Jurassic Park fan blog. Parts of that article formed the basis for the conclusion of this renewed visit.

    You can find Justin’s blog here.

    Daniel for his encouragement, offering to proofread and our discussions on The Meg (2018). Entirely unrelated to Jurassic Park, our ongoing conversation on both the book and film about the Megalodon is a joy.

    Last, but absolutely not least, John. John’s continuous help and tireless encouragement have proven invaluable; not only did he proofread the entire article several times, he created the new background for the logo accompanying this article and helped find several of the images used.

    Our discussions helped me gain a better understanding of the Jurassic Park films in general, and Jurassic Park III in particular.

    John passionately writes about Jurassic Park, games, music, books, comics and Tomb Raider on his own personal blog, which can be found here.

    As we so often affectionally joke about the Kirbys: “still the best.”

     

    Pictures courtesy of Universal Studios, Amblin Entertainment and Ed Verreaux

    Get Papo Velociraptors from Dan’s Dinosaurs!

    Looking for new places to buy dinosaur toys? Check out Dan’s Dinosaurs!

    Dan’s Dinosaurs started in 2009 as a small business specializing in paleontological collectibles. Dan started the company for dinosaur enthusiasts (like us!) with the goal of having a store that carried all dinosaur products in one place. If you live near Mayfield, Kentucky, you can go check out the brick and mortar storefront in person! Be sure to say hi to Dan for us!

    They carry a wide range of educational products, high-end models, and fossil replicas. They currently sell well known brands such as: Safari Ltd, Papo, CollectA, Favorite, and Sideshow Collectibles. Many independent artists and other business owners also sell their work through the store and site. They sell and ship both locally and internationally.

    We received a Papo Velociraptor (2016 version). This version of Papo’s popular raptor figure is 6″ by 4″ and has paint that is similar in style to Delta and Charlie in Jurassic World. All of the Papo raptors have a similar sculpt, complete with an articulated jaw and yes, they have sickle claws. This figure has more detail and texture than the recent Hasbro and Mattel raptors, and I think the Papo raptors would make excellent additions to collections. Also, Dan is great to work with, and the shipping was very fast. The figure came in good packaging and was undamaged. Dan’s Dinosaurs is an excellent resource for finding dinosaurs to add to your collection!

    If you see something that you have to have, make sure enter “Jurassic Outpost” in the “How did you hear about us?” field during checkout to receive a free bonus gift with your order!

    Source: Dan’s Dinosaurs

    ‘Jurassic World Alive’: Collecting and Battling Tips and Tricks

    Jurassic World Alive, the mobile dinosaur catching game for Android and iOS, has been out since the end of May. Since then, we have managed to learn some strategies for maximizing your dinosaur collecting and battling techniques. These tips are aimed mostly towards free to play users, but pay to play users can also implement them. If you keep these in mind, you will be well on your way to becoming an elite member of the Dinosaur Protection Group!

    COLLECTING

    The most important aspect of the game involves collecting and leveling up the dinosaurs within your collection. Dinosaurs are found in the “wild” around your location and you send out a drone to collect their DNA. To collect the DNA, you fire darts at targets on the dinosaur as it moves around your screen.

    Tip #1: Hold, but do not fire your first shot until the target grows to maximum size.

    The longer you wait between shots, the larger the target on the dinosaur grows. The timer on your battery will not begin to run until you fire that first shot, but the target will still grow if you hold the screen and prepare to fire your first shot. Once it is at maximum size, let it rip and get your best possible chance at a direct hit!

    The targets will grow the longer they remain, but make sure not to wait too long on the rest of them or your battery will run out! Once you fire your first dart, the dino will start to move around the environment, getting faster and faster with almost every hit. That leads us to…

    Tip #2: Use the outer circle to gauge where to release the dart.

    As the dinosaur moves faster and faster around the map, it makes it harder and harder to hit the center of the circle for a direct hit. Except for the first shot, you should always be aiming ahead of the center circle. This is where the outside circle comes in handy. If you keep an eye on where you release and where the dart actually hits, you can use the outer circle as an aiming system for future darts. For example, if you released a dart while your crosshairs were right on top of the outer circle and the dart misses the direct hit mark, move your crosshairs that much farter outside the outer circle for your next attempt. It may sound a little hard at first, but the quicker you get used to using it as an aiming system, the faster you’re likely to start racking up direct hits.

    Like mentioned before, the dinosaurs will speed up as you hit them more often. Exactly how much it speeds up depends on the type of dinosaur. The faster it goes, the higher it’s overall speed characteristic is going to be. Faster dinosaurs are helpful in battles, so keep that in mind as you go out collecting!

    Tip #3: Learn where the targets are going show up on the common dinosaurs.

    Keep in mind, you are likely to encounter the same dinosaurs over and over again. As the dinosaurs go up in rarity, the more places a target could show on the dinosaur to hit. Common dinosaurs will only have the target show up in two places across their body. It’s pretty easy to learn the pattern of the common dinosaurs because the target switches places after every hit. For example, on the Einiosaurus, one of the most common dinosaurs I see, the target will either be located in the middle of its back or in the middle of its head, as seen below.  You can learn to anticipate where to position your next dart. The more you collect, the faster you will learn where the targets are likely to appear.

     

    Tip #4: Don’t miss the special event incubators.

    These incubators really pack a punch. When the AMC theater special was active, it could easily level your T-Rex up twice! If you are looking to have the most effective team and stay competitive at your level, do not skip out on any of the special event incubators.

    BATTLING

    Battling is the second aspect of the game that really amps up player interactions. Players select eight dinosaurs from their total collected bunch and place them on their “bench” of sorts. Once a battle is engaged, four of those eight are randomly selected and pitted against your opponent’s four dinosaurs. Here’s some strategies for your dinosaurs to win the day.

    Tip #1: Dinosaur Battles are just Rock, Paper, Scissors

    When you look at your dinosaur collection, you can basically categorize each type of dino into one of three categories (with some exceptions which we’ll cover later). These three categories are: Strength, Speed, and Armored. Strength dinosaurs are the attack powerhouses. These are your Tyrannosauruses, your Allosauruses, your Tarbosauruses, etc. Their attack, even on the low-end, pack a whallop. The second type of dinosaurs, Speed, include your Velociraptors, Utahraptors, Stygimolochs, etc. These are the ones that are usually going to end up attacking first because their speed characteristic is so high. Finally, there’s your Armored dinos like Stegosaurus, Einiosaurus, Triceratops, etc.

    Now, how does Rock, Paper, Scissors play into this you may be asking. In my experience, here’s how the match-ups end up playing out:

    Strength beats Armored, Armored beats Speed, and Speed beats Strength

    While the dinosaur levels and special attacks may throw some wrinkles into that formula, it will usually pans out in this general way. Keeping this “equation” in mind as you pick your dinosaurs, battles might start going your way more often. If your Velociraptor just got beaten by a Triceratops, you might want to throw your T-Rex or Allosaurus out next.

    Tip #2: Prioritize Leveling Your Bench

    If you have got a stellar bench of dinosaurs, make sure you’re spending some coin on them when possible. Yeah, that Gen 2 Ankylosaurus upgrade only costs 50 coins, but you’re probably not going to put it on your bench anyway. On the other hand, saving the coin for the next level Velociraptor could very well put your team near invincible status at your tier.

    That being said, if you are not close to any bench upgrade, go ahead and go for some other dinosaurs. Each upgrade gives you experience points towards your player level. Higher player levels get to collect more DNA with each shot, so it is still important to stay on top of your other upgrades.

    Tip #3: Battle Your Friends

    With its most recent update, Jurassic World Alive made the game even more social. Players can add other users and challenge them to battles when they are available. By battling your friends, you get to find out what dinosaurs on your team are working, and which of them aren’t. Each player is placed on equal footing for dinosaur levels, so it really boils down to your strategies, and maybe just a little bit of luck!

    Tip #4: Battle For Coins

    There are only four battle incubator spots available. Once your win four battles and fill those up, you are out of luck until one finishes opening. However, you can still battle for extra coins. Now it is entirely up to you whether or not you want to risk your trophies with extra battles, but if you are in need of some extra coins for a dino upgrade, battles can help with that. On the topic of battle incubators, they come in five different sizes: 15 minute, 3 hour, 8 hour, 12 hour, and 24 hour. The 15 minute incubator is available to open immediately if you watch a short ad. It usually does not contain much. On the other hand, the 24 hour incubator can really help your team. It’s guaranteed to include a few rare dinos to ramp up your team.

    Since the launch a few months back, Jurassic World Alive has seen 10 million game downloads around the world, over 4 million supply drop spins per day, and over 3 million dinosaur battles per day! Check out this infographic below which details some of these stats:

    There you have it folks, Jurassic World Alive tips & tricks. By keeping these in mind, you can take your own team of dinos from zero to hero. Do you have any other tricks that weren’t listed here? What eight dinos make up your bench? Sounds off in the comments below!

    Comprehensive Visual Guide to Every Jurassic World & Park Dinosaur

    The Jurassic Park franchise is home to numerous different dinosaurs species, existing both on screen or simply by name references. The following is a researched canonical guide to the dinosaurs confirmed to exist within the film universe, attempting to identify them by their various species and subspecies, while providing any additional supplementing information such as sex, or film appearance.

    Some dinosaurs in the Jurassic franchise showcase prominent sexual dimorphism, creating a visual variation between the males and females of the same species. This guide indicates (m), (f), or (m/f) depending on the sex shown for the animal. If there is no evidence of variation, it is assumed both look the same and there will be no labeling of the animals sex.

    Further, some dinosaurs look distinctly different from film to film. These are assumed to be different cloning variations creating distinct subspecies, and are indicated with v#’s once past their initial debut. Single version dinosaurs are not marked with a v# – the distinction is only marked from v#2 and beyond.

    Of note, this list includes “prototype genome” dinosaurs. These are the taxidermy dinosaurs on display at Benjamin Lockwood’s estate as seen in Fallen Kingdom. Not much is known about these animals other than they were created in the early years of Jurassic Park, and likely were incomplete genetically, causing failed life cycles and continued research.

    Finally, some dinosaurs are mentioned by name only, (such as being listed on park brochures or DNA vials). While some of these dinosaurs later appeared in other films, many did not. Dinosaurs without visual representation will utilize visual information such as toys in place of canonical designs. With that in mind, only dinosaur species mentioned in the films and direct film materials will be acknowledged, and this does not pull from species listed within viral or behind the scenes materials only.

    To finalize information in this list, behind the scenes materials were referenced for existing on screen dinosaurs, as were interviews with the filmmakers discussing them. The troves of information available as well as treating the films as a field research assignment is what identified dinosaur sex, subspecies determination, and more.

    This guide is only to provide basic information for identifying the species, and does not include the in depth animal profiles which will be available at a later time.

    Velociraptor V.1 (m/f)

  • Carnivore – Dromaeosaur
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World
  • Status: Unknown
  • Range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Females present in a semi-uniform color, males with more distinct tiger striping.
  • Velociraptor V.2 (m/f)

  • Carnivore – Dromaeosaur
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Females are a more uniform beige and charcoal color with yellow eyes, red surrounding the socket, males darker with milky lateral stripes, quills on their head, red crests and eyes, and blue surrounding the eye
  • Velociraptor I.B.R.I.S. (V.1.5) (f)

  • Carnivore – Dromaeosaur
  • Status: Survived by Blue only
  • Range: Isla Nublar
  • The ‘raptor squad’ raised by Owen Grady, these custom engineered raptors were designed to obey command. Blue, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Subject V-2 are the only known examples of this subspecies. Learn more here.
  • Tyrannosaurus Rex (m/f)

  • Carnivore – Tyrannosaurid
  • Status: At least one surviving female known (“Rexy/Roberta”)
  • Range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • Females present in variations of brown coloration; males have more robust skulls and green colored skin.
  • Teratophoneus

  • Carnivore – Tyrannosaurid
  • Status: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (skeletons only)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Dilophosaurus

  • Carnivore – Dilophosaurid
  • Status: Unknown
  • Range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World (dino display), Jurassic World (Hologram), Fallen Kingdom (sound)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Compsognathus

  • Carnivore – Compsognathid
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Sorna and Nublar
  • Seen in: The Lost World, Jurassic Park 3, Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism however subtle variation of color between individuals has been observed
  • Spinosaurus

  • Carnivore – Spinosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/disputed
  • Range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Note: it’s reported the skeleton on main street belongs to the one seen in JP3, however the skull structure is entirely different
  • Ceratosaurus

  • Carnivore – Ceratosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Allosaurus

  • Carnivore – Allosaurid
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Baryonyx

  • Carnivore – Spinosaurid
  • Status: Survived Sibo Eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom, mentioned to have existed prior by name only in Jurassic Park and JP3
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Suchomimus

  • Carnivore – Spinosaurid
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3 and Jurassic World by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Carnotaurus

  • Carnivore – Abelisaurid
  • Status: Survived Sibo Eruption
  • Known Range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Metriacanthosaurus

  • Carnivore – Metriacanthosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park & Jurassic World by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Herrerasaurus

  • Carnivore – Herrerasaurid
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Segisaurus

  • Carnivore – Coelophysid
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Proceratosaurus

  • Carnivore – Tyrannosaurid
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Dimorphodon

  • Carnivore – Pterosaur
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Pteranodon V.1 (“Geosternbergia”)

  • Omnivore/unknown – Pterosaur
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: The Lost World
  • Note: Aviary mentioned in Jurassic Park with Pteranodons – potentially existed on Isla Nublar
  • Sexual dimorphism disputed; possible Geosternbergia crest variation (only seen on early unused production materials and Roland Tembos dino guide). The animal seen in the film features a more typical Pteranodon crest which muddies the exact genus it belongs to or if the other flatter crest is canonical.
  • Pteranodon V.2 (m/f)

  • Carnivore – Pterosaur
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3
  • Females are brown and tan, males are dark blue with yellow crests – males were designed but cut from film
  • Pterandon V.3

  • Carnivore – Pterosaur
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • Alternate crest color variants exist (norm being red), potential sexual dimorphism
  • Mosasaurus (f)

  • Carnivore – Mosasaur
  • Status: Escaped Isla Nublar, alive
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism, one animal only
  • Indominus Rex (hybrid) (f)

  • Carnivore – N/A
  • Status: extinct
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom (skeleton only)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Indoraptor (hybrid) (m)

  • Carnivore – N/A
  • Status: extinct
  • Known range: Lockwood Manor California
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Concavenator (Prototype)

  • Carnivore – Allosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, no known final genome
  • Mononykus (Prototype)

  • Carnivore – Maniraptora
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, no known final genome
  • Note: this is the only known true feathered Jurassic Park dinosaur
  • Dilophosaurus (Prototype)

  • Carnivore – Dilophosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, led to at least one final genome
  • Velociraptor (Prototype)

  • Carnivore – Dromaeosaur
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, led to at least three different final genomes
  • Note: Appears to be direct decedent to V1 Raptors, share similarities to males minus stripes and skewing more orange
  • Dimetrodon (Prototype)

  • Carnivore – Synapsid
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, no known final genome
  • Brachiosaurus V.1 (m/f)

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, Fallen Kingdom
  • Subjects seen in Fallen Kingdom are smaller and stumpier, presenting subtle iridescent green skin around the face and neck. This is believed to be distinctive of male sexual dimorphism.
  • Brachiosaurus V.2 (m/f)

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3
  • Males and females are both variations of green, but males present notable red patches of skin on their face and atop their skull
  • Mamenchisaurus

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: The Lost World
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Apatosaurus

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Dreadnoughtus

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (DNA vials only – sold to Russians)
  • No known sexual dimorphism nor any evidence of living specimens
  • Gallimimus

  • Herbivore – Ornithomimosaur
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Parasaurolophus (m/f)

  • Herbivore – Hadrosaur
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • Males are light brown colors with lateral stripes; females feature similar patterns but green in coloration
  • Edmontosaurus

  • Herbivore – Hadrosaur
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Sorna & Nublar
  • Seen in: The Lost World (skeleton only), Jurassic World (name only)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Corythosaurus

  • Herbivore – Hadrosaur
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Known range: Isla Sorna
  • Seen in: The Lost World (name only), Jurassic Park 3
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Triceratops (m/f)

  • Herbivore – Ceratopsian
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar and Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • Females are a tortoiseshell coloration of greys and slight brown and have more prominent large rounded scutes and scales over their body; males are more solid greys and brown with subtle variations of blue on the face. Adult Triceratops presenting light vertical stripes on their back has been observed on Isla Sorna.
  • Sinoceratops

  • Herbivore – Ceratopsian
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual Dimorphism
  • Microceratus

  • Herbivore – Ceratopsian
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Nublar & Sorna
  • Seen in: Jurassic World (name only)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Ankylosaurus (m/f)

  • Herbivore – Ankylosaur
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Seen in: Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • Males features red on face, darker armor, and distinct body shape; females are more uniform grey and brown colors
  • Peloroplites

  • Herbivore – Ankylosaur
  • Status: Unknown/reported extinct
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (skeletons only)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Stegosaurus V.1

  • Herbivore – Stegosaurid
  • Status: Unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna, possibly Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: The Lost World, Jurassic Park 3, mentioned in Jurassic Park by name only
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Stegosaurus V.2

  • Herbivore – Stegosaurid
  • Status: Survived Sibo erupton
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Pachycephalosaurus

  • Herbivore – Pachycephalosaurid
  • Status: unknown
  • Known range: Isla Sorna and Nublar
  • Seen in: The Lost World, Jurassic World
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Stygimoloch

  • Herbivore – Pachycephalosaurid
  • Status: Survived Sibo eruption
  • Known range: Isla Nublar
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Stegoceratops (hybrid)

  • Herbivore – N/A
  • Status: disputed
  • Known range: Isla Nublar/disputed
  • Seen in: Jurassic World (computer display only – actual existence disputed)
  • No known sexual dimorphism
  • Diplodocus (Protoype)

  • Herbivore – Sauropod
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, no known final genome
  • Note: specimens on display appear to be juveniles
  • Dracorex (prototype)

  • Herbivore – Pachycephalosaurid
  • Status: Unknown/prototype genome
  • Known range: Unknown
  • Seen in: Fallen Kingdom (taxidermy display)
  • No known sexual dimorphism, no known final genome
  • Note: videogame design not indicative of film design
  • Jurassic Park returning to select theaters in September for 25th Anniversary

    Jurassic Park, the 1993 classic film that started it all and spawned four sequels so far with a fifth sequel due in 2021, is set to return to select theaters this September in celebration of the film’s 25th Anniversary. In a report from Entertainment Weekly, Jurassic Park will return in more than 500 theaters nationwide for three special days, Sunday September 16th, Tuesday September 18th and Wednesday September 19th.

    It’s been 25 years since the gates of Jurassic Park opened the first time, welcoming viewers into a time-lost amusement park filled with beautiful dinosaurs, terrifying dinosaurs, and soaring John Williams music. To celebrate the big anniversary, Steven Spielberg’s original film will be returning to more than 500 theaters nationwide for three days: Sunday, Sept. 16, Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Wednesday, Sept. 19. Tickets can be purchased online at Fathom Events’ website or at participating theater box offices.

    In addition to the seeing Jurassic Park on the big screen, audiences will also get to see a special 17-minute fan film remake of the Steven Spielberg classic. The fan film reportedly was created by Jurassic fans from around the entire world and our guess it is a culmination of all the fan videos that the official website had asked for earlier in the year.

    Entertainment Weekly also received an exclusive rare on-set photo from Amblin showing Spielberg, Sam Neill, BD Wong, Richard Attenborough and Jeff Goldblum preparing for the hatchery scene. Please take a look at the exclusive photo below.

    Please visit Fathom Events for more information once they post it. Also, make sure to check Fandango and see if your local theater has any showings, as some already have tickets available for purchase.

    Are you planning on seeing Jurassic Park on the big screen again when it is re-released in September for the 25th Anniversary? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and on our forums.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

    Drop Dead Drops Exclusive ‘Jurassic Park’ Clothing Collection

    UK based clothing company Drop Dead has just launched the Capsule Collection, a unique clothing line to celebrate both the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and the 25th anniversary of the movie that started it all – Jurassic Park.

    Working in partnership with Universal Brand Development, Drop Dead noticeably chose a vintage, Classic Jurassic style for the line, remaining inline with the early 90s aesthetic seen in Jurassic Park.

    This iconic line features bomber jackets, shirts, bags sporting nostalgia-inducing graphics including dinosaurs, maps of Isla Nublar, and writing reminiscent of the text seen on Nedry’s computer. And speaking of Dennis Nedry, a Nedry themed buttoned shirt and shorts can also be found in this collection.

    The clothing company was founded by Oliver Sykes (lead singer of Bring Me the Horizon) who is a huge fan of the original movie. When discussing this collection, he said:

    “Jurassic Park has been my favorite film of all time since I saw it in 1993. I was always into dinosaurs as a kid, but Jurassic Park truly sent me into obsession. To be able to do a collaboration with the franchise has been a lifelong goal and dream. After producing many designs influenced by Jurassic Park for Drop Dead, being able to use the actual material for the real has been amazing and I couldn’t be more stoked on what we’ve produced.”

    Isla Nublar was Site A. Isla Sorna was Site B. Drop Dead’s laboratory is Site D, and that’s where all of these products – or specimens – were created.

    The overgrown foliage, chemical jars and decontamination zone theme can be found in Drop Dead Clothing’s London store, seen in the promotional video above. Their Sheffield store also followed suit and re-opened with a design refresh and a brand new vegan restaurant, a bar and a store.

    The collection is a wonderful addition to Jurassic Park’s return to popular culture and features inspired designs reflecting the designer’s love for the 1993 film. The items look like they came straight out of the 1990’s!

    ‘DDxJP’ is available now at Drop Dead stores and through their official website.

    What do you think about this clothing collection? Let us know in the comments section below!