Jurassic Park Scene-by-Scene Breakdown & Transcript

[00:00] Opening a movie with 26 seconds of pitch black is pretty baller. And Spielberg knows he's got us. He can do whatever he wants. I can't be the only one who still says Jurassic Park's the lost world, right?

[00:15] This is the only feature title in the franchise that doesn't start with Jurassic. In fun fact, a year after initially publishing the book, they changed the name to Michael Crichton's Jurassic World in relation. No real sound, but liquid shaking inside glasses can mean only one thing,

[00:29] and Spielberg totally fakes us out. What about Snake? Look, she's clearly meant to be a helicopter parent, but do you see those freaking waves? How chance my kids are wandering off on some island

[00:42] and we just, like, happen to anchor them here? I'm not even worried about Snake's or a few cops in the office. If she steps a foot in that water, she's gone forever. And the thing about kids is that they step feet in everything all the time. So points to the Jurassic franchise for consistency with child endangerment,

[00:56] while in the end letting us know they're okay. What time is it? Is it... 3 to 5? Great guess. Or something is very close. But I always love the little nods to in-real-life paleontology, like the connection to birds, almost as if Spielberg is making fun of his own movies.

[01:10] This scene comes from the first Jurassic Park novel. Of course, in the novel, the tiny dinos are pro-confignosis, not confignosis, and only immediately it would get them confused. What an amazing scream and face from the mom

[01:23] that absolutely makes me imagine her daughter in pieces rather than... Oh, she's fine, she's fine. but just seeing your kid surrounded by little green monsters might get that reaction. But more important is this tippy-top tier, almost-smash-cut transition.

[01:38] Ian's yawning, open mouth matching the scream in the palm tree poster and subway screeching? Excellent. This is like my sixth video with Jeff Goldblum, and I'm just now realizing what a giant he is. Sixth four! And I know I mentioned my sister-in-law's crush in the first video,

[01:51] but it's really this movie that solidifies that for me, I mean her. I believe you. It probably doesn't reoccur to you at the end of the first movie, but of course InGen is going to bury the events and even encourage the idea that it was a big hoax and turn it into a conspiracy.

[02:06] Dr. Malcolm! Hello, Dr. Malcolm! And I know that most of us remember Ian as the voice of reason and also Goldbloom's glistening pectorals, but let's not forget that he drew the T-Rex away from the kids, saving their lives and endangering his own.

[02:19] Serious hero points. Yeah, I did. You lied. You pushed the facts around in the depths of three people. It's sort of crazy that even Malcolm, who was there and has insider information is short at least two deaths that we know of. You got Clever Girl, Hold On To Your Butt, and Lawyer that he knows of,

[02:32] plus uh-uh-uh and Shooter! Align, Jude and I have been quoting to each other daily, lately, I don't know why. Careful. This shoot costs more than your education.

[02:44] Possibly true in 97, but he's got a bachelor's and master's and two PhDs. The last two don't usually cost much or anything, but a pro's spending $200K on a suit. Anyway, it's actually the way he says education that makes me want him to die the most. That's your kitchen.

[02:56] Ha ha, that quick cut before you have a chance to fully see Velociraptors, because of course there are raptors. Don't worry, I'm not making the same mistakes again. No, you're making all new ones. Nobody goldblooms like Goldbloom.

[03:08] In fact, he deserves his own box. Some of those in the company are wanted to exploit Site B and all his favorite house. I like how he says this as if it's just a natural repercussion of existing and not a fatal flaw in the system he's using to manipulate Ian.

[03:21] Also, Pete Poffel's way of shadowing. Yeah, we go with Inge. Oh, she's fine, she's fine. And I love that it's Malcolm's posture change that makes Hammond immediately assure him the girl's fine. So you went from capitalist to naturalist in just four years.

[03:35] That's something. Our last chance at redemption. Our last chance. The absolute gall in thy role is everything. Sure.

[03:47] No. Of course. No. about making the initial party by herself. I think she's dying on the phone. Well, I think about the comparison to a primatologist who was murdered for interfering with poachers

[03:59] kind of sums up Hammond pretty well. He's never such a physician anymore. It's a rescue operation, and that's what he's doing right now. And now we know who our hero is.

[04:11] The theme kicking in really gets the blood pumping. Quirky weirdo or greedy sociopath? Oh, it's you decide. Okay, the movie already decided. He had a sliver of an excuse in the first movie because only one lowly worker guy got eaten by the big one before he invited his grandchildren to Human Digester Island.

[04:27] But now he should know better than to be putting people in mortal danger while he himself sleeps in his castle, his hands clean of dirt but covered in blood like every tyrant before him. Don't do that, don't do that. You've got to bury me in a little bit. You've got to love this. Oh, love will work. It'll work when you love it.

[04:40] I never knew how much I needed Toby and Malcolm to meet. Great. What's right there? What? That little pause hinting at his true motivations. I wouldn't be going on as loud of a chase. Where you're going is the only place in the world where the geese chase you.

[04:55] That's a delivery. Although Ian clearly hasn't met many geese. They will attack you. You don't understand anything. You don't feel anything. Not my mom. She doesn't even have data. It's a troglodyte.

[05:07] It's cruel, but good word, you. This game up in Lilo and Fitch, so just to be sure. Where are you going anyway? Uh, it's only for a few days, but I wouldn't be going if it wasn't a way.

[05:19] If it wasn't a way. Dang, was he about to say life or death situation and then cut himself off remembering who he was talking to? Ben Neckley. You turned out to be so brilliant and powerful and funny and generous. The queen, the goddess, my inspiration.

[05:31] Compliments. Nasty. Good doubt, Ben. I got cut from the team. I wish I'd known. Raptor uneven bar shadowing. It's the restart of that a-horse wedding. Uh, actually, it's one of the very convenient fighting titles.

[05:44] Even though I took French in school, I know the five deaths when I see it. Dead Island, or Island of the Dead, is a little lazy, but Butcher's slash Slaughterer's Island, Island of Sorrow, and Stingy Island are all on point. But the real reveal here is that Thorn is sarcasm?

[05:58] I think it was my thing. What does that mean? The five deaths. He said it. Geez, read a map, guys. Okay, no one noticed the map, and this is a way better reveal. Sarah! Sarah Harding!

[06:11] How many stars do you think are on this island? The second source that comes in from behind them always catches me off guard. Such an awesome way to emerge, though. This is magnificent. Oh, yeah. Ooh Ah that how all these stars look And later they running and Nobody gold moons like Gold Plume I know I want to mock all these people for their insane lack of situational awareness

[06:33] but really it just sells the idea that they're so mesmerized by the majesty of dinos they're missing everything else around them. File this under stuff we'd all want to do, but obviously no. Still, the practical animatronics and bias of visual effects sell these moments amazingly.

[06:46] This is a tough one. What? No! Just protecting that baby, so am I. Aw, still I like that idea of being inflicted. Makes an already likable character more likable.

[06:59] Hope he gets the same one piece. Before this movie, I never even considered being afraid of seggos, even with how dope I knew their sagamizer was. This scene changed that. I've worked around treasure since I was 20 years old.

[07:12] Lions, eckles, hyenas, you. Ha! Compliments. There's a spider! There, it's there. Robert Burke said the T-Rex was a rogue who would abandon his young at the earliest opportunity.

[07:25] I know I can prove otherwise. I just love this writing. Everything that happens is always set up so cleanly in these movies. Not only do they not abandon their young, we'll get to it. It's better than fire. I just wanted to make dinner.

[07:38] I really do get this train of thought, and if kids didn't make the bad things they did worse by trying to fix them with worse things, they wouldn't be kids. I thought that he told me to come here. I what? You said to me, don't listen to me.

[07:51] Honestly, fair. I feel like Malcolm's third box in years. Entertaining if you're an adult, but probably be hard to navigate as his kid. Violence and technology? Not good bedfellows. So that's dual lingo. You miss one Spanish class and now every lesson opens with

[08:05] Sayama otra vez y serán las tres muertas para ti. I don't know what it means, but it feels ominous. If any of your people say that our clients are just harinators, deliver a letter to your wife or your loved one. Give them a chance to say goodbye. Okay? The cross-talk from these two is so real.

[08:18] I feel like this is exactly how conversations go IRL for them. Kelly, Kelly, this is a tall talk. Just sit for a minute. I hate when people are making me do this. Dang, that's good. Tall talk is my new go-to when I need to kiss a girl.

[08:32] What bothers you is that I'm not afraid of this place and you are. Of course I am. That's the whole thing. For the record, a T-Rex went in for the kill on Ian and he survives it by essentially riding its snout into a building and getting knocked out under debris.

[08:44] So while his character comes off a little paranoid here, it's important to remember he's not. They're all nuts. He's the only smart one here. This is a game sale, Mr. Ruffalo. Carnivore's Hunt on Game Sale. Do you want to set up a stand or a buffet?

[08:56] I need a buffet, Mr. Ruffalo. In my fee, you can keep it. All I want in exchange for my services is the right to hunt on a virtual animal. On first glance, Roland Tambo could feel like a redo of Muldoon from the first film and their styling is certainly similar,

[09:08] but Muldoon was a warden. The caretaking of the dinosaurs was his priority. Tembo is a big game hunter, and while he is later shown to have a moral code, he still hunts for sport. Literally no need for this over-the-top shot. Wouldn't change a frame.

[09:20] Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! And the big game hunter not even bothering to learn the names of the animals he's hunting feels pretty on point. Easily a top-five scene in the franchise.

[09:32] The sound design of the dinosaur noises, the frenetic speed of the vehicle showing off how fast the dinos are as they try to keep up.

[09:45] Classic set up and visual punchline. If you're wondering how they know how to capture these dinos, just remember InGen literally created them and definitely would have designed specific equipment for each one. It was all probably just sitting in a warehouse somewhere after the first movie.

[09:59] Again, Muldoon respected the animals and knew what they were actually called, but that might actually be an improvement for the Parasaurolophus. Even a pompadour might work better for what it was originally going to be, a corythosaur. This has made me realize that the Parasaurolophus in Dominion must be a baby,

[10:13] because Elvis is enormous. Is this dangerous? Uh, no, I wouldn't think so. There haven't been any visitors to this island. There's no reason for it to fear man. Brutal death by a thousand bite shadowing. What a super secret foreshadowing that often was.

[10:27] I know that dinosaurs are supposed to be the worst thing on sarcasm, but that swarm around their heads would be the reason I bail. In a franchise chock full of bad ideas, this is darn close to number one.

[10:41] They all 100% deserve what's coming for them. For the record, this is probably number one, although we're thankful for it because we got to see Wes Manchus carrying a baby Rex. If you assume you're the only ones on the island with opposable thumbs having no guards, makes sense.

[10:53] Shame the NDAs must have kept them in the dark about raptors and their... talents. But you abandoned it. In favor of something far grander. And then he abandons that because of this.

[11:05] But you don't seem to get that yet. Glad the triceratops could help you understand the whole classic Donald destruction. Wouldn't be Jurassic Park without a near-miss involving a vehicle and a tree. That's the last time I leave you in charge.

[11:18] Careful, he'll really get you back by giving you non-face-matching ethnicity eyes. Or which of you? Keep going to West. You're not. Correct, that's not. With seven Jurassic movies and two shows, it's hard to remember that this was just the second piece of media ever,

[11:33] and based on the first one, we immediately knew Night Rain was a bad omen. Isn't it? I don't know if you can hear this. Ow! Correct! I want to get out of here. I want to go to my place. No, I want to go to my place. And appropriate and correct reaction. No, this is nothing like that. We're in a completely different situation right now.

[11:49] They are! It's so much worse! Such an iconic sound. I love that it's implied that the T-Rex got back to the nest to find the baby missing, but we don't see any of it. It creates way more terror.

[12:01] The harder you squeeze, the slower you go. You don't squeeze at all. I got the idea. I got the idea. Yeah! Wish you know I would have squeezed this a little bit harder. Classic. Especially because he was worn so succinctly.

[12:13] Again, hiding what we already know, but these two really have no idea. Heck yeah. We're still in the group for the T-Rexes, right? He's very angry. It's such an easy way to up the stakes that absolutely doesn't feel cheap.

[12:27] There's a baby, so yes, there's gonna be two T-Rexes. And the scratches and scars on this one's face? She done seen some stuff. Oh, now we're scared. Well, that's helpful. I do actually believe that you can't conceive of what this would be like if we were there.

[12:39] The way they both keep stalking along the windows? I do hope that Sarah still does not fully comprehend how absolutely screwed they are You know I beg people to listen to me I use plain simple English and I don have any accent on the road Aw Aw sure It mostly a guess but the subtitles don always capture exactly what Ian says The accent bit wasn in there so I have to assume that Goldbloom Goldblooming

[12:58] Oh my god, this is going to be bad. I also respect the decisions you're not sure that T-Rex charged you with the camper. The impact is felt more staying inside this big, practical stomach. They're pushing us over the cliff. Also, I'm not going to lie, I like that they're allowed to be pissed off.

[13:12] Animals are usually portrayed as noble and fair in movies, but they have their own personalities, and, like, all they know is that you stole their baby. It's hurt and in pain, so yeah, you're going over a cliff. To start to another one of the best and most memorable set pieces in the entire series.

[13:29] The sound alone has haunted my nightmares ever since. But the spider weapon from each fingertip? HAND UP! HAND UP! You're a very Mission Impossible fall-off.

[13:42] or I guess technically Mission Impossible Fallout is very The Lost World Jurassic Park. Anything else? Yeah. Three double cheeseburgers with everything. No onions on mine! I don't have a cheeseburger! The fact that all three of them had something really lands it.

[13:54] You know we love a winner. It creates a sense of realism. Even Eddie failing to grab the cable on his first try. We've all been there. Unfortunately, the West Wing wouldn't come out for another two years, and Richard Schiff wasn't very recognizable, so you know what that means.

[14:06] This whole sequence is killer, and we probably don't think Eddie's praise is enough for everything he goes through because of what happens next, but dude goes through it to save their lives. Even in the face of that many teeth, he keeps trying to save them. But okay, I said it was fine and good that they were so mad about the baby,

[14:21] but this is just rude. Now it's like they went home, tucked the little tyke in, and came back because the noise was keeping the little guy up. You can roar politely without ripping people in half. And it's even worse because they really make it feel like he's going to make it.

[14:34] The tire. Very Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. I got seconds in Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1 and bury the lost world giraffe apart. I know you. So that's Earth first, Doctor. Earth first.

[14:46] It's fun that Nick is a double-secret environmentalist, pretending like Greenpeace was just for the hot dates. That's not the problem. What is the problem? The lost giraffes. Yeah, I'd probably drink to that. The giraffes are the largest portion of all factory cavities

[15:00] of any creature in the fossil record, with the exception of one. T-Rex, no shadowing. Rex just fed, so he won't smoke us the food. Just fed? I assume you're talking about Eddie. it might show a little respect to them. Thank you, Malcolm, for sticking up for Eddie.

[15:12] He earned it. Second, the only way Roland could know that the Rex was fed was if he and his dudes were already there when it happened, which means they watched and did nothing. Hurtless cowards. Therefore, every death of the InGen team from now on is a win.

[15:25] I don't make the rules. What the hell are you doing here? Somewhere on this island is the greatest predator that ever lived. Fucking greatest predator must take you down. Nick's actual intentions aside, it honestly checks out that these two might get along. Plenty of hardcore environmentalists are hunters themselves,

[15:39] and plenty of hunters cared deeply about the environment. The irony here, of course, is that Pete Puzzletweet was actually a leftist environmentalist and said, fun, not so much. Say, I haven't had a chance to wish you luck on your new business venture. You're off to a promising start.

[15:51] Taking dinosaurs off this island is the worst idea, and I'm going to be there when we learn that. Nobody goldblooms like Goldbloom. And he is there. He doesn't really see it, but he's there. I'm a baby. I've got a cloak in my mouth.

[16:04] I'm not trying to be a baby. Hey, who am I to judge the clotting factors of cloned dinosaurs? But also, eat some food, drink some water, maybe take a nap and really think about what she just said, Sarah. Although we did say we want more InGen guys to get eaten, so maybe she heard our earlier

[16:17] whips. The actual sinister truth is that Roland knows what the problem is, but wants the T-Rex to track them so he can hunt it. Impressive level of not giving an F. They wait for me here, okay? Trade plot device, and great reminder that if you're out anywhere you don't know, you

[16:33] stay with a buddy at all times, even if you're Peter Stormare. Being next to a buddy in the wilderness is one of nature's greatest gifts anyway. This low-angle camera, steady cam shot, following him is so genius, like we're with the compies stalking him.

[16:46] And then again from three separate directions. That's never that brutal. How can something so cute be so dangerous? Or better put, if not friend, my friend shape. The subtle little look from Nick. This is one of those scenes that probably seems a little ridiculous

[16:59] after you've seen it a hundred times, because even though there's a huge pack of them, how do you let your size not count for anything? And the reason is that Dieter doesn't see them as a threat to his life, just an annoyance. And by the time he realizes he's cooked, it's too late and he's too exhausted to escape.

[17:12] And there are a lot of them. I'm up and... If he's alive, we'll find him. I'm sorry, no one tells me where he'll go. Aw, he's a big ol' softy.

[17:26] Heck yeah, classic T-Rex water surface ripples. Come on, come on. Correct, you are stupid, and while you were trying to sleep, it looks like you only ate sugar, explaining this insane lapse in judgment. Such an iconic shot that triggers some primal fear of a monster invading their safe space while they sleep.

[17:45] And the sound design, the breath and purr sounds are so overpowering. And they both sell the terror. I could just imagine the smell of the wreck's breath filling the tent would be enough to wake you up. Don't run! Don't run! Don't run! I understand in the moment it's going to be total panic,

[17:59] but has anyone listened to Malcolm, the only guy with actual experience at all, like in the entire film? Oh, man, Stompin' Drag is brutal. But Dan Carter, you may have had it coming as the guy who got Dieter killed and the guy who started the panic.

[18:12] This guy's a little freak, aren't they? Oh, the crunch. That guy was a little too earnest to live in Jurassic Park University. Oof, if you know, you know. See, you know.

[18:24] I like that you don't even need to know anything about raptors to understand that tall grass makes you a heel for any predator. Even this one. Oh my god, so awesome. I have a distinct memory of several people in the theater audibly

[18:37] shuddering at this shot. And the silence of the kills, which you might be thinking Muldoon screamed quite a bit, but he was the only prey that time, and this time they want to be sure they get as many snacks as possible, so a quick neck bite would serve them well.

[18:52] And since all Ingenjats count, we're up to seven just in the first melee. Amazing restraint to wait almost 90 minutes into the sequel before showing the dinosaur that was arguably the star of the original. Go.

[19:04] The Purr. And I know raptors are the obvious threat here, but goodness I hope they check for ticks later. You think they can keep up Welcome to Fry Okay here it comes The main theme struggling to break through the thrimmer score

[19:27] The sound and the visual of Roland just sitting there is all we need. We know exactly what happened then with making that noise. Nick! Nick Van Owen! How many Nicks you think are on this island? More of a pounce scare than a jump scare, but I love that it's a wider shot.

[19:41] Adds to the feeling that they're kinda alone there. Second film in a row where Malcolm puts himself in mortal danger for kids. Some of the gags during the terror in this one are hilarious.

[19:53] Ingenuity! At least you know there's breakaway glass behind you. Why is the sorting always so scary? A-plus jump scare. I never remember it and it gets me every time.

[20:05] There's definitely a version of this where it just grabs her leg and pulls her out, but as it is, perfect scene. No notes. The school cut you from the scene? No notes.

[20:17] My son Sarah, she didn't even pause to think about it. I always love when they snap at each other. Something, something, demon Frank's inciting. Orcs and Mordor, you know what I'm saying. What about the others? We're not seeing Orcs and Mordor. Even now our dude is worried about the safety of others.

[20:29] Dang, that is so on point. It could easily be a Northrop Grumman or Raytheon slogan. Two movies in a row of people trying to save some animals

[20:45] ending up doing something way worse. If he'd let him keep the bullets, at least Rexy 2.0 lost in San Diego would be dead. I mean, thank goodness he didn't.

[20:59] Killer line. And yeah, he clearly means InGen, not the dinosaurs. We should have stayed in the damn car. Nobody goblooms like Goldbloom. Oh, what expert buildup. Everyone's staring, the sound, Ludlow staring at the radar,

[21:12] and then the boat coming out of the pitch black. Feels very Jaws. Wonder if Spielberg knows the director. And yeah, this leads some questions, but my take has always been that we're just not shown the side of the bridge wall that got destroyed.

[21:25] I think one thing that is often missed about this... ...scene is that the T-Rex wasn't originally below deck. he was sedated up in this cage and broke free. So the theory is that the Rex got free, munched the crew, and then with their last dying breaths,

[21:38] one or two crew members got him into the hole. Yep. Now you're John Allen. I absolutely love it. Amidst the chaos and people fleeing for their lives, Malcolm took a moment to quietly walk up behind Peter

[21:50] and hit him with a one-liner. And why not? After all, nobody gold blows like old bloke. Fuck, that's what your immigration and customs laws. Nobody's not like, what is all this?

[22:02] Why am I here? He just roars a challenge to the city. And this is why we're here. The tension of so many of the Jurassic Park movies is, but what if dinosaurs were in our world, and this is the moment it actually happens? Give me my twizzlers.

[22:15] Where's the engine? Where's the facility? The way they both come into his space to ask questions. Just right through the wall like it isn't there. I love how chill this kid is throughout the whole ordeal.

[22:33] There's a dinosaur in our backyard. I always thought he was dope. Follow the screen. Perfect cut, and nobody goes loose like Goldfrey. If we're talking about dinos on the mainland, our brains automatically go to the T-Rex eating people,

[22:46] but the insane destruction would also be pretty gnarly. Yes, that is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Shakespeare's King Lear and Robin Williams in a movie called Jack and the Bane Starks. Also, I can smell this blockbuster. It's delicious, essentially pure happiness.

[22:59] And yes, that's Tom Hanks in Tsunami Surprise, which feels like the reason we got cast away. Also, just absolutely incredible sound design on David Koepp's Demise. The writer, by the way. It's a shout that he missed the pull sign on that door.

[23:12] Never gonna know we have it if the thing won't make some kind of sound! Nobody gold blooms like Julianne Moore. Wait, no, it counts.

[23:25] Is it still behind us? Buck's timing is truly impressive. I love that they just do their plan as fast as possible without even bothering with a glance at Lovelow.

[23:37] Sarah finally understands the situation. And look, it's a trope at this point for the universe because Rexy sneaks up on the raptors in the first one, so Buck can sneak up on Lovelow, but I buy it.

[23:50] He's still making noise, but Lovelow is fixated on the infant and also a stupid, greedy person. I'm up in. Also brutal. Also both snacks.

[24:07] You work. Hero shout for saving the Rex and the baby. Correct. Most realistic moment of the film. Aw, and the murderous parents are reunited with their baby. And if we could only step aside and trust in nature.

[24:21] Fire. Fire away. So he steals Malcolm's line and takes no responsibility for the destruction and death that is entirely his fault. He's lucky he's such a soft-spoken old man or he'd be in some real trouble. I'm just kidding. Nothing bad would ever happen to him.

[24:34] Ending on the Pteranodon is maybe the weirdest choice in this entire movie. Oh my gosh, it's setting up Jurassic Park 3 in the birdcage. Fair. Got me. They got me. Also, for the record, when I was a kid, every flying reptile was a pterodactyl. You kids don't know how good you had it.

[24:46] Making Ian Malcolm the main character and letting Jeff Goldblum run the movie probably seemed like a considerable risk if the only thing you'd seen him in was Jurassic Park. but he was pretty much a sure thing in the 90s. And while you can't touch the cultural touchstone that the first movie is,

[24:58] there are some scenes in this one that stand out above the entire franchise. The T-Rex attack, the raptor hunt, really every set piece is memorable. I'm terrible at being objective about it because I grew up on these movies. But you don't come here for objectivity anyway.

[25:11] I don't know what to expect from Rebirth, but come on, it's a dramatic movie. I'm going to watch it, but not next week. Next week, something totally unexpected. Well, before you saw this frame, but before it. Unexpected.