Jurassic Park

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yes, I know this is the Book Forum, but for those that weren't aware, JP was a book, before it was a movie. A damn great book, too! In fact, I have read every Crichton book, and this one is still my favorite. I read the book shortly after seeing the film for the 100th time, in theaters (exaggerating, obviously). I was, oh, about 8 than, and I loved every second of the book. I have read it subsequent times since than, and each time I read it, I like it more, and more. Tons of interesting ideas, great dialouge (although characterization isnt all that great, it hardly matters), and incredible action sequences. Really, while reading the book, I more wanted to hear about the park, and the rides that they would have in the park, and all that stuff, than I did, about the dinosaurs attacking, and killing, and what-not. Differences between the movie, and the book? Tons. Which is better? Book, by far. Why? Well, mainly because everything has more. More action, more violence, more science, more dinosaurs, more characters, more story - great stuff. If you havent read this book, I highly suggest that you go, and pick it up. And, if you have, thoughts, comments, anything?

[Moviefan1234]

Yeah I'm a big Crichton fan myself. Great book although I wouldn't say better than the movie. Very very few books can equal the movies in my opinion.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Well, that is an interesting opinion. One that I don't think many others will share, but interesting, nonetheless. But, specifically, what made the movie better than the book for you? Easier to visualize? Maybe even the simple fact that it was a visual medium? Or the fact that it was much simpler than the book?

[syxxpac]

This is by far my favorite book in the world. I agree with everything you've said about it Fokker, and for those who haven't read it I highly recommend it. At least twenty times better than the movie. My favorite scene in the book is the extended and more detailed raptor attack on the visitor's centre. The tension in these scenes is also much more scary than in the movie, and the raptors are uber-cool. Definite 10/10.

The sequel was pretty good, but I didn't feel it lived up to the quality of the original. But unlike the first book and first movie, which kept the same basic concept and characters, the second book and movie are completely different. So for those who hated the movie, I'd still recommend the book. I'd give the second book a 9/10.

Both excellent reads.

[areyoubeingserved]

I hate Crichton as far as the ideals of writing go, but this book as far as action goes has far more substance than the film, it would be an easy source for extra material - and the opening was used for the opening for The Lost World.

A great book for the ages 8 to 12, entertaining but nothing insightful, and a disgusting prelude to a capitilist approach to the art of writing.

[Congerking]

ya, JP is one crichton's best novels. i remember reading it after seeign the movie and I was amazed how much better it was than the movie. More detailed and just plain better. Don't get me started on how much better The Lost World the book was to the movie. the movie was crap, and the book was 1,000,000,000 times better than the movie.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Yes, I liked the book, and after reading it, I felt the movie strayed too far away from it. Like how:

SPOILER- If you haven't read go back!

John Hammond dies in the book...but not in the movie. Also, the part in the book where the kids are behind a waterfall or something with a T-Rex on their ass.

END OF SPOILER- You can open you're eyes now...


Yeah, stuff like that. If Spielbergh would have stayed true to the novel, the movie would have been much better than it already was.

Don't get me wrong, I love the movie, one of the ten best of the 90's. But I mean, the book is much better, as in most cases where there's a book/movie.

[Moviefan1234]

Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**
But, specifically, what made the movie better than the book for you? Easier to visualize? Maybe even the simple fact that it was a visual medium? Or the fact that it was much simpler than the book?

First off, thanks for respecting my opinion. I think it's just the fact I enjoy movies more than books in general. Don't get me wrong there are times when a book is better, "Sphere" is an example. I just prefer movies over books.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Very understandable. Although, I cant say that I agree that this is a good book for 8 to 12 year olds - I am 17, and love this book. If you choose not to like it, fine, but to say there is nothing insightful in the book, is just a little, well, not fair. Maybe you got nothing out of it, but I assure you, many others have gotten much more than "nothing" out of it.

[areyoubeingserved]

Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**
Very understandable. Although, I cant say that I agree that this is a good book for 8 to 12 year olds - I am 17, and love this book. If you choose not to like it, fine, but to say there is nothing insightful in the book, is just a little, well, not fair. Maybe you got nothing out of it, but I assure you, many others have gotten much more than "nothing" out of it.

I suppose there is things to be taken from it -- dangers of science, social context, but its a piece of entertainment, and its perfect at being that, the book is very much like a film. But theres nothing really to be gained from it in terms of lit.

I suppose I recommended it for 8-12 because thats when I read it and loved and think its that perfect age where the adverturism of the book, and if there is interest in the film, can be sourced. When did you read the book, if I read it for the first time now I'd probably value it more than my retrospective view.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yes, you have a point about the book being entertainment, but that is really the point of all fiction. So, in essence, that statement, while true, doesnt exactly mean much. I think, that if you were to read through it again, you would be surprised at all of the details you missed out of, when you read it earlier. But, that is the same with all books. And, even if it is just entertainment, you have to admit, it is damn smart entertainment. Crichton really did his research of the scientific aspects conveyed in this book.