A review by readingal07
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Let me preface this by saying the Jurassic Park movies (especially the first three) are some of my favourite movies of all time. I love the nostalgia and the tension and the actors involved. I didn't read the book before watching the movies (I was very young, forgive me.) Because I loved the movies so much, I was SO EAGER to read the book. 

This is one of the only times I will confess to liking the movie substantially more than the book. Here's why: 

CHARACTERS:

Movie: 

I love Dr Grant and Ellie. I enjoy Dr Grant's slow progression with the children and their trust of him. I love Mr Hammond and his motives behind building the park. And Ian Malcolm was just the right amount of "I am right, you're wrong" and sarcastic remarks. 

Book: 

I only like Dr Grant, Ellie and Tim. 

One thing to mention is: in the books, Dr Grant LOVES kids and connects with Timmy immediately. 

                “Grant liked kids – it was impossible not to like any group so openly enthusiastic about dinosaurs.” 

Ian Malcom – This man droned on non-stop every time he was on the page. Often, I was losing him as much as Hammond was. Honestly, he would not let sleeping dogs lie and continued to berate Hammond long after the fact. He went on tangents that I felt didn’t link to the message he was trying to send. Then again, I don’t have a huge interest in science so maybe that’s where my problems lie. 

Mr Hammand – They made everyone in the book a lot more likable in the movie. In the movie, despite his ignorance and laisse-faire management of the park, the audience could forgive Hammond because he has PASSION and he had a dream. AND he was doing it for the right reasons; 

                “Donald, Donald, this park was not built to cater only for the super rich. Everyone in the world has the right to enjoy these animals.” – John Hammond, Jurassic Park (Movie) 

                “And nothing is going to stop me from opening Jurassic Park to all the children in the world. Or, at least the rich ones.” – John Hammond, Jurassic Park (Book) 

In the movie, Hammond repeatedly says “Spared no expense,” but in the book we hear about how many corners he cut to spare expenses. 

 

Lex – They aged her up in the movies to be older than Timmy but in the book, she is the most annoying 8-year-old in the history of literature. (Don’t quote me on that.) In high stakes, high tension situations, she just constantly irritating and spoke when she shouldn’t, also saying the most irrelevant thing. I love kids, and I enjoy their blissfulness and innocent ignorance. But this child when from being truly traumatised by a T-Rex attack (PS: I love how her trauma was shown in the book) to wanting ice-cream AND ONLY ICE-CREAM. 

The most irritating part was that one moment she felt more intelligent than an 8-year-old should be and then other times, she was more like a 5-year-old. She stands on someone’s ear like it means absolutely nothing just after whining about wanting ice-cream and not candy bars. 
 

ATMOSPHERE & WRITING: 

I loved the atmosphere of Jurassic Park even in the novel. I loved the pacing of the book and Crichton’s writing was very easy to read and speed through (save for Malcolm’s monologues.) 

I did tab my copy, and one of the most prevalent tabs was one I called “White Hetero Man Syndrome” where either a POC or a woman was written badly. Call it a sign of the times if you will, but this novel was only written in 1991. I did like Ellie’s comebacks though. 

                “You’re a woman.” [Said by Gennaro.] 

                “These things happen.” [Ellie’s response.] 

PLOT: 

The movie and book do stay on the same general plot beats however, certain events happen with different characters in the movie than in the book. Some people die in the book (I won’t say who) that don’t die in the movie and people who die in the movie, survive in the book. It was a bit confusing and I am not sure why they would have changed it for the movie but it is what it is. 

I will say that I started getting fairly bored near the ending. It started feeling slightly repetitive with the same threats and issues coming up again when it wasn’t needed. 

LOGIC: 

The characters in the book make the WORST decisions and I can’t understand why. I was often frustrated with why they were making the choices they were making. For example: (I DON’T REALLY COUNT THIS AS A SPOILER BUT SKIP THE NEXT BIT IF YOU DON’T WANT ANY SPOILERS.) 

There is a period of time in the book where Malcolm is confined to a room with his broken leg. Other characters are in the room with him and the room has a skylight. Raptors find their way onto the roof and start chewing and breaking through the skylight and continue to go at it for at least half an hour. Malcolm and the gang, JUST WATCH THEM. They all just sit and worry about them getting through but don’t move or make any precautions. When the power is eventually restored, the electric cables (which somehow the raptor’s didn’t destroy during their assault) electrify the raptors AND THEN they move Malcolm to another room. I was just mystified as to why this was what they decided to do. 

Overall, I much preferred the movie for the reason that all the characters were a lot more likable and relatable. I am an advocate for unlikable characters who make dumb decisions, but there was no overarching reason for any of the decisions they made. 

Will always love the movie and I am really glad I read the book.