Sunshine Challenge 1: Amber

[impala_evolved]

Amber always reminds me of Jurassic Park and the iconic mosquito! I even have a pin of a fake mosquito in amber. I really loved that film, and actually the whole original trilogy.

We saw Jurassic World Dominion, and I was so excited because all of my favs were coming back to reprise their roles! I did have some fun seeing them on screen with dinosaurs, and they all got some level of closure, but I was disappointed in the film overall. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, because I haven't liked any of the Jurassic World movies. I feel duped, because they got me to show up for my favs in theaters even though the movie was terrible - just a series of explosive and ultimately empty action scenes. The T-Rex didn't even look that cool because of all the other predators they chose to add in.

*The linked articles contain mild spoilers for the movie*

I liked how this scathing and honest article pointed out the problems with franchises generally, and how Jurassic World fits right in this mold. The Jurassic World team haphazardly throws in symbols and scenes from the original without even understanding what those symbols and scenes meant in the first place. Why bother? On the one hand I know filmmakers and script writers are just jobs like any other job, but on the other hand aren't these creative people? Wouldn't they enjoy making a good story?

I also didn't realize that there is a 20 year age gap between Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler. At least the actors reflected on how that wasn't necessarily strange back when the film first aired, but it does feel a little weird that this movie wanted to smash them together after so many years without any re-development of their relationship.

Comments

[nyctanthes]

Thanks for the link!

However, the film is structured in such a way that even these awful concepts are quickly brushed aside in the eager pursuit of more: more action, more spectacle, more nostalgia, more spinoff opportunities, more toys, more GIF-able moments, more memetic quotes, more callbacks, more allusions to moments from the good film in the series.

So true. I feel like there's something to be said here about online fandom, how creators are responding to fans, but often in the most shallow way possible.

[impala_evolved]

Yes! Fan interaction is a double edged sword. Reminds me of something I read about meme culture, where memes are easily shared and boosted (and very shallow) - they end up shaping discourse because they're so popular.

[enemytosleep]

“what if Taken… but with a velociraptor?”

OMGGGGGGGGG

But honestly, like many films lately, I know that we will end up watching this (and liking parts of it ... while simultaneously hating it because we know it's shallow pandering).

[impala_evolved]

Haha, that part of the article did make me laugh. I think it would have been more fun if I had just lowered my expectations a bit!

[bemused_writer]

I really need to watch Jurassic Park at some point. I remember seeing it everywhere, including the arcade, which was a lot of fun. It seems like they're good movies!

It's a bummer this one didn't live up to your hopes though. ): I have no idea if you like this sort of thing, but Tom Cardy does comedic music on YouTube and he did a song about all the Jurassic Park/World moves that you might enjoy. I got a kick out of it anyway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVho5fU3lwc

[impala_evolved]

LOL! Thanks so much for that link, it was pretty hilarious :D Space dinos! I'm not going to lie, I would watch that.

[bemused_writer]

I would also totally watch it. I'm glad I'm not alone. :D

[cruelladelaura]

I know filmmakers and script writers are just jobs like any other job
Yes they are, but aren't you usually supposed to do your job well, anyway? XD And they're doing a poor job if they're using stuff from the original movies and then botching their meanings.

[impala_evolved]

True. I wonder how they farm out franchises, maybe they just look for whomever will do it for cheap.