Summary of NPR's "Short Wave" Episode: "How Realistic Are Movie Dinosaurs?"

In the episode titled "How Realistic Are Movie Dinosaurs?" from NPR’s science podcast Short Wave, hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber delve into the portrayal of dinosaurs in popular cinema, particularly focusing on the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. The episode, released on July 15, 2025, features an insightful conversation with Matt Lamanna, a renowned dinosaur paleontologist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, who is both a passionate dinosaur enthusiast and a contributor to the museum's dinosaur exhibits.

A Paleontologist’s Passion and Role in Museum Curation

Regina Barber initiates the discussion by setting the scene of a classic dinosaur movie experience, highlighting the allure and fascination dinosaurs hold over audiences. She introduces Matt Lamanna, who shares his lifelong passion for dinosaurs, stating, “I told my parents I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was four years old” (01:20). Lamanna’s role extends beyond research; he is actively involved in designing dinosaur exhibits at the Carnegie Museum, ensuring that the public is presented with both accurate and engaging representations of these ancient creatures.

During a tour of the museum, Lamanna points out the authenticity of the exhibits: “Most of what you see in the dinosaur gallery are real fossils. So there’s about roughly 250 specimens on display, and about 75% of those are the actual fossils” (01:32). This emphasis on real fossils underscores the importance of scientific accuracy in museum displays, contrasting with the creative liberties often taken in film adaptations.

Diverse Marine Reptiles and Their Cinematic Misrepresentations

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the misclassification of marine reptiles in films. Lamanna clarifies, “These are what are called ichthyosaurs. So just for the people that see the Jurassic World movie, that Mosasaurus is described as a swimming dinosaur. It’s not. It’s actually more closely related to lizards” (01:48). He further explains that creatures like Mosasaurus and pterosaurs (commonly but inaccurately referred to as pterodactyls) are not classified as dinosaurs, highlighting a common misconception perpetuated by popular media.

Insights into the Latest Jurassic World Film: Rebirth

The conversation shifts focus to the latest installment in the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, released on July 2, 2025. The film’s plot revolves around a team led by Scarlett Johansson and a paleontologist portrayed by Jonathan Bailey, who are tasked with extracting dinosaur blood to develop a cure for heart disease. Lamanna comments on the scientific premise: “If we get this DNA, millions of lives are saved” (02:24).

However, he tempers expectations by noting that the series accurately portrays some aspects more effectively than others. Lamanna reflects on his involvement in the movie, particularly in designing Dreadnoughtus, a newly discovered titanosaur that appears in Jurassic World Dominion. He recounts the discovery process: “I joined them. And when I got there, they had already uncovered the 6 foot 3, so 1.9 something meter long femur thigh bone of what would become Dreadnoughtus” (05:53). This discovery not only enriched the museum’s collection but also provided authentic inspiration for the film’s depiction of sauropod dinosaurs.

Accuracy of Dinosaur Features: Strengths and Missteps

A focal point of the discussion is the accuracy of dinosaur characteristics as portrayed in films. Lamanna praises the depiction of the T. Rex in the latest Jurassic World movie, stating it is “even more accurate than previous” iterations (08:54). Contrastingly, he criticizes the original Jurassic Park’s portrayal of the T. Rex’s sensory capabilities: “The T. Rex is pretty awesome... But... if you remember it... the T. Rex actually nuzzles the people. And if it has a good sense of smell, it's gonna eat you anyway” (09:31). He highlights that the original scene inaccurately suggested the T. Rex couldn’t see or smell its prey, undermining the creature’s formidable nature.

Lamanna also touches upon his admiration for Jack Horner, the paleontology consultant for the original Jurassic Park, who posited that the T. Rex was primarily a scavenger with a highly developed sense of smell. He argues that such scientific insights could have been better integrated into the film to maintain the dinosaur’s predatory prowess without resorting to implausible behaviors.

Depiction of Dinosaur Habitats: Tropics vs. Polar Regions

Another critical analysis by Lamanna pertains to the portrayal of dinosaur habitats in the latest movie, where dinosaurs are depicted as surviving only in tropical regions. He refutes this notion by presenting fossil evidence: “We have dinosaur fossils from the north slope of Alaska all the way down to 500 miles from the South Pole in Antarctica” (10:56). These fossils indicate that dinosaurs inhabited a wide range of climates, including temperate and seasonal environments, which contradicts the film’s portrayal of them being confined to equatorial regions. Lamanna emphasizes the adaptability and resilience of dinosaurs, underscoring their ability to thrive in diverse ecological niches.

Public Fascination and the Unlikelihood of Losing Interest in Dinosaurs

Addressing the film’s subplot where characters grow indifferent to the presence of living dinosaurs, Lamanna expresses skepticism: “It’s really hard for me to imagine if we had living dinosaurs walking around that people would just be like, meh, Whatever” (12:12). He argues that public interest in dinosaurs is enduring, as evidenced by the consistent high attendance in museums and the widespread intrigue surrounding dinosaur research. Lamanna finds the premise of societal indifference to living dinosaurs implausible, given the profound impact these creatures have on collective human imagination and cultural consciousness.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Lamanna’s reflections on the balance between scientific accuracy and creative storytelling in dinosaur-centric films. While recognizing the entertainment value and imaginative aspects of cinematic portrayals, he advocates for a more informed representation that honors paleontological insights. Regina Barber and Matt Lamanna’s discourse offers listeners a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in bringing prehistoric life to the big screen, highlighting the intersection of science and fiction in shaping public perceptions of dinosaurs.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Lamanna on his lifelong passion: “I told my parents I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was four years old” (01:20).
• On the authenticity of museum exhibits: “Most of what you see in the dinosaur gallery are real fossils” (01:32).
• Critique of Jurassic Park’s T. Rex portrayal: “There’s so much wrong with that scene, I can’t even take it” (09:31).
• On the adaptability of dinosaurs: “We have dinosaur fossils from the north slope of Alaska all the way down to 500 miles from the South Pole in Antarctica” (10:56).
• Skepticism about public indifference to dinosaurs: “It’s really hard for me to imagine if we had living dinosaurs walking around that people would just be like, meh, Whatever” (12:12).

This comprehensive discussion not only evaluates the scientific accuracy of dinosaur representations in movies but also underscores the enduring fascination humans hold for these magnificent creatures, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and popular imagination.