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Something big is coming…

When it was announced that the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise was written and would be made into a major motion picture, I was excited. But cautiously optimistic because of what transpired in Jurassic Park III (great individual scenes, but some of the casting…). Then, it was revealed that Steven Spielberg co-wrote this new script and would be executive producing once again. This news should have been treated as massively substantial, considering that Jurassic Park III debuted in the summer of 2001. Thirteen years have passed (along with the franchise’s author Michael Crichton in 2008) and it would have been completely understandable if this dinosaur franchise had ended as a trilogy.

It won’t, and it’s likely because the script/story this time is really, really good…like, possibly 1990s good. Ever since learning the title would be Jurassic World a year or so ago, I’ve had a theory about the tightly-guarded plot.

Here it is:

Cognizant that it is not called Jurassic Park 4 or Jurassic Park IV: _____, this hinted at a return to the original 1993 blockbuster masterpiece. This new movie was not going to be just another sequel or be sequential to the third movie. More than a decade had passed and those involved in the franchise are acutely aware of the amazing reaction to the original and the following two movies (a slow tumble from one to the next). If a fourth film would be made, it had to have a spectacularly epic script that reconnected fans with why they loved Jurassic Park from the start (plus, remember the title). Fans have wanted a fourth film, but only if it did justice to the original with its perfect story, cast of characters, larger than life consequences and dinosaur-size surprises. The year it’s been presented for release has been ~ 20 years since the original (21 to be exact). Last year (year 20) was dedicated to its amazing 3-D re-release, which was a magnificent triumph. Then, a picture was posted on Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow’s twitter account that showed a picture of dirt and leaves covering the “East Dock” arrow sign that Dennis Nedry famously crashed into with his Jurassic Park jeep in the torrential downpour with the caption, “Autumn.” This was back in late September of this year.

All of this, plus the previous and obvious reluctance to quickly make a fourth film after reaction from the third one, has, for a long time led me to believe that Jurassic World would be a direct throwback to the original Jurassic Park that is intended to play on the incredible and loving nostalgia of the 1993 cinematic wonder and the fact that fans like myself went crazy over the movie and the official Jurassic Park merchandise.

So I thought, “How do you play on 1993 nostalgia from the original along with the insane popularity of the toys, t-shirts, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.?”

It meant that someone/some group had finally built a Jurassic Park for real! And when the poster was released with the tagline that read “The Park is Open” above the date of June 12th (FYI – the original was released June 11, 1993), that seemed like a serious confirmation of my long-hypothesized theory.

Then, today, the first teaser trailer of sorts hit the web. Does anything look familiar?

http://youtu.be/W7bk9glvzXA

While the first “official” trailer is expected for Thanksgiving (November 27th), everything seems to be lining up for a genuine Jurassic World theme park based on/closely with the inspiration of genetics dreamer John Hammond!

If the rumored trailer next week solidifies my theory, then it will make millions of cinematic dreams come true and literally give new meaning to the appropriately altered phrase, “Welcome to Jurassic World!”

A trembling cup of water has never looked this epic.

Welcome to…

Next summer will see the opening of the most famous theme park. No, how about wildlife preserve. That doesn’t quite work either.

Come June 12, 2015, everyone is invited to experience the adventure of a lifetime! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the Jurassic World poster:

("The Park is Open" on Slash Film Online)

(“The Park is Open” on Slash Film Online)

“The Park is Open”

Who opened it? Where is it located? Why was it built and created two decades later?

Enter chills and a countdown clock: Only 240 days away!

This entrancing movie poster made the rounds late last night. It’s clear that mysterious, yet recognizable danger lurks behind the “supposedly” electric fences of this prehistoric paradise/entertainment destination that will turn into an exhilarating and dangerous escape for survival from familiar (and likely a couple unfamiliar…) dinosaurs. The smoky feel projects that something truly epic and surprising awaits the entrants of this John Hammond-inspired place. Plus, the design and movie title demonstrates a serious, purposeful new story that returns us all to the greatest idea for a park that’s ever been genetically re-engineered. This is not Jurassic Park 4. This is Jurassic World. This film doesn’t appear to be linked to and/or compared to the second and third films in the franchise, but instead to the original 1993 masterpiece, more on its own.

Yes, it’s happening. Yes, the poster produces one hell of a seductive reverie on all Jurassic Park fans. And yes, director Colin Trevorrow has officially dared the world (and himself) to again dream of a surreal, modern world in which we co-exist with dinosaurs.

To paraphrase Dr. Ian Malcolm, “this story, 22 years in the making, found a way…”

P.S. Notice anything familiar with the release date? Jurassic Park opened in theaters on June 11, 1993…This just keeps getting better and better!

21 Years in the Making

(Jurassic World: IGN Online)

(“Jurassic World” by Mark Englert: IGN Online)

Ladies and gentlemen, not only is Jurassic World really happening, but it will once again feature the superstar of dinosaurs in the Velociraptor. Above is the first promotional poster for the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. Recalling when I saw the first movie 21 years ago, it’s surreal to think it’s a franchise. What’s more is that it seems like this is the right time to make a new film with great actors (Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard) and written with what appears to be a similar tone as the original from 1993. Enough time has passed that this new movie is not simply a sequel, but a story with a purpose and gravitas to stand on its own.

The saying is, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

I agree.

The excitement that’s included in these thousand words is unsustainable…much like the the expectations of controlling dinosaurs in the modern world.

While we will have to wait and see how this story unfolds in 2015, Spielberg and Co. just may have found a way to rejuvenate this story for the 21st century!

Welcome to Jurassic World (Really)

Randomness is a mysterious, yet powerful force that can yield not much of anything. Or, it can produce something in the neighborhood of accidental brilliance.

Maybe (and hopefully), the following idea will somewhat resemble the latter.

While listening to the first few minutes of the Jurassic Park soundtrack at work on YouTube this morning, the perfectly composed instrumental by the legendary John Williams inspired a thought as crazily insane as a modern-day park on an island filled with dinosaurs brought back to life from 65 million years ago.

What about a new ride at Universal Studios Orlando called Jurassic World that would coincide with the release of the 4th installment of the popular movie franchise that let’s intrigued visitors starting at age 10 or 11 pick 1 of 3 levels to walk (and run!) through while being hunted and pursued by a variety of dinosaurs!?

Now that I have your attention, I’m sure you’re wondering this question:

How would it work?

Depending on the level of adventure (1=easy going with a surprise or two, 2=ready for an adventure with dramatic surprises and 3= a kitchen-caliber experience), the participant or small group of participants would be briefed on what task they need to accomplish in a 2-minute time period by a distressed character in the park. The technology would be a combination of animatronics and virtual reality, depending on the selected level and the viability of realism and operating such machines on a constantly rotating schedule. However, the environment, movie set surroundings and dramatic music would be perfectly authentic and real.

Contingent upon the level selected, each participant will or will not be equipped with a weapon to defend themselves. Plus, the experiences on each level would change after a certain amount of time as to keep people who come back more than once guessing and in suspense.

Any young children under a predetermined age by Universal officials would need to be accompanied or joined in their adventure by a parents(s)/uncle/aunt/grandparent/older brother or sister, etc.

This is only an initial suggestion that would require countless variables to be considered and worked out (yes, more so than in the movie).

Regardless, would you get in line?

This personal/group thrill ride would take the existing Jurassic Park attraction in Orlando a step further by fully-injecting people inside Jurassic Park/World without the restriction of a car.

Fans would experience the world of Jurassic Park like never before.

Jurassic Park ushered in a new era of special effects for multiple generations of moviegoers and fans, so it seems only fitting that Jurassic World also usher in a new era of special effects for multiple generations of moviegoers and fans.

It would be an experience only John Hammond would/did dream of…

Jurassic World: will you get into it?