Podcast Summary: "No Dunks" Episode - 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' Rewatch | Jurassic Pals

Introduction to Jurassic Pals' Rewatch Project In this special summer edition of No Dunks, hosted by Jay Skeets, Tasmelas, Trey Kirby, and J.D., the team embarks on a rewatch of "The Lost World: Jurassic Park." Jay initiates the discussion from the iconic Classic Factory, joined by his co-hosts, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of the sequel to Spielberg’s beloved original.

Budget, Release, and Box Office Performance Jay begins by providing background on the film’s production, noting that "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" was released on July 23, 1997, with a substantial budget of $73 million—an additional $10 million allocated by Spielberg following the success of the first installment. The movie performed robustly at the box office, grossing nearly $620 million worldwide and setting a new opening weekend record at the time, illustrating the high anticipation and initial excitement among audiences.

Jay Skeets [01:02]: “It grossed nearly $620 million worldwide and it actually set a new opening weekend record at the time.”

Casting Choices and Character Dynamics The discussion shifts to the film’s cast, highlighting the return of Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm and the introduction of Julianne Moore as Sarah Harding, Pete Postlethwaite as Roland Tembo, and a young Vince Vaughn. Jay notes that this sequel marks Spielberg’s final directorial role in the franchise, hinting at his diminishing enthusiasm for the series.

Tasmelas [02:42]: “He doesn't like doing sequels.”

J.D. adds insight into Michael Crichton’s involvement, explaining that Spielberg consolidated multiple ideas from the second book into the film, which contributed to its complexity.

Plot Overview and Critical Analysis The hosts delve into the movie's plot, starting with Isla Sorna (Site B) and its role as a breeding ground for dinosaurs, contrasting it with Isla Nublar from the original film. They critique the logistical decisions made in the movie, such as transporting dinosaurs over long distances, which they consider unrealistic.

J.D. [03:00]: “I think, yeah, doesn't like doing sequels. And apparently Michael Crichton was basically asked to write a second book as well.”

The narrative then follows the British couple whose youngest daughter, Kathy, encounters the tiny dinosaur species, Compsognathus (compies), leading to her subsequent attack. The hosts express confusion over the introduction of multiple baby raptors, initially mistaking them for juvenile T. Rexes.

J.D. [04:49]: “Did anybody else think, that's just a baby raptor? Yeah, you know, I was like, oh, cool, baby raptor.”

Character Critique and Development A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Dr. Ian Malcolm’s character development. Transitioning from a chaos mathematician, Malcolm adopts a more naturalist role, which the hosts find abrupt and unconvincing.

Jay Skeets [12:03]: “And then, obviously, we learned that they had a hurricane Clarissa. And then that happened on Sorna here.”

They further critique Malcolm’s parenting decisions, particularly his handling of his daughter Kelly’s involvement in the mission, labeling him as aloof and an unreliable parent.

Jay Skeets [28:11]: “Nick infiltrates the base camp, he frees the dinosaurs and they wreak havoc here on this base camp.”

Action Sequences and Special Effects The hosts analyze key action sequences, such as the dinosaur attacks and the high-stakes rescues. They appreciate certain moments, like the confrontation between Kelly and the velociraptor, where gymnastics play a pivotal role in her survival.

Jay Skeets [59:22]: “That's a great scene.”

However, they express frustration with the movie’s pacing and the overabundance of action that detracts from character development and plot coherence.

Technical Aspects and CGI Evaluation Discussion turns to the technical execution, specifically the CGI quality of the smaller dinosaurs, which the hosts find subpar compared to the iconic visuals of the original film. They question the believability of certain scenes, such as the dinosaurs’ interactions and the logistical aspects of dinosaur transport.

Jay Skeets [52:00]: “There are a lot of holes in the plot of this movie or a lot of things where you're like, what?”

Comparison with the Original Jurassic Park The conversation highlights the stark differences between the sequel and the original "Jurassic Park." While the first film balanced awe and terror effectively, the hosts feel that "The Lost World" leans too heavily into darkness and action, losing the charm that made the original a classic.

Jay Skeets [83:00]: “The dinos are not featured. I agree. They go.”

Critical and Fan Reception Reflecting on critical responses, the hosts cite Roger Ebert’s two out of four-star review, emphasizing his critique that the movie struggles with structure and fails to let dinosaurs take center stage as effectively as the original.

Jay Skeets [82:02]: “Roger Ebert said, 'the problem with the movie is that the dinosaurs aren't allowed to be the stars.'”

Hosts’ Personal Ratings and Final Thoughts The guests share their personal ratings for "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," generally scoring it lower than the original. Tasmelas awards it a 2 out of 10, citing the underwhelming portrayal of dinosaurs and poor character decisions. Trey Kirby and J.D. rate it around 4 to 5 out of 10, acknowledging entertaining action sequences but criticizing plot inconsistencies and character development.

Tasmelas [82:36]: “That's low. It's slow. It doesn't. There's no comparison.”

Jay Skeets concurs with a 4 out of 10, pointing out numerous plot holes and the movie’s inability to capture the original's magic despite its higher dinosaur action quotient.

Jay Skeets [86:10]: “I think it's half as good.”

Looking Ahead: Jurassic Park 3 Concluding the episode, the hosts tease their upcoming discussion on "Jurassic Park 3," expressing skepticism about its potential quality based on their experience with the sequel.

Jay Skeets [87:33]: “Jurassic Park 3 is our next movie that we're tackling in Jurassic Pals, released in 2001.”

Conclusion Overall, the hosts of No Dunks provide a comprehensive critique of "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," balancing their appreciation for certain action elements with disappointment over narrative and character shortcomings. Their discussion offers valuable insights for both fans and newcomers, highlighting the sequel's divergence from the original's strengths.

Notable Quotes:

• Jay Skeets [01:02]: “It grossed nearly $620 million worldwide and it actually set a new opening weekend record at the time.”

• Tasmelas [02:42]: “He doesn't like doing sequels.”

• J.D. [04:49]: “Did anybody else think, that's just a baby raptor? Yeah, you know, I was like, oh, cool, baby raptor.”

• Jay Skeets [28:11]: “Nick infiltrates the base camp, he frees the dinosaurs and they wreak havoc here on this base camp.”

• Jay Skeets [59:22]: “That's a great scene.”

• Jay Skeets [82:02]: “Roger Ebert said, 'the problem with the movie is that the dinosaurs aren't allowed to be the stars.'”

• Tasmelas [82:36]: “That's low. It's slow. It doesn't. There's no comparison.”

• Jay Skeets [86:10]: “I think it's half as good.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the main discussions, critiques, and insights shared by the Jurassic Pals team during their rewatch of "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," providing listeners with an informative overview of their perspectives and evaluations.