Cinematic Point Of View

There is that scene, in the original Jurassic Park, where Hammond (Richard Attenborough) is sitting with Ellie (Laura Dern) at the table and he is reminiscing about his old flea circus. She tries to get it through his thick skull that the control he’s attempting is all an illusion and so much more.

I really disliked this scene when I was a kid back in 90s. I thought it brought the whole movie to a grinding halt. Couldn’t wait for it to be over and to get back to the dinosaur action.

Time changes everything though, especially my opinions.

Watching it so many years later, it’s one of my favorite moments from the film and part of what makes the movie so different. The peaceful John Williams music. The moment to breathe. The quiet, thoughtful conversation about ambition, wealth, hubris, and control. I couldn’t “hear” everything that was being said when I was younger. It’s a real moment of genuine human reflection that is missing from every other Jurassic movie.

Not to lean too hard on Hammond, as he’s a product of his generation, but it’s also no coincidence that it’s an old, rich white man’s mistakes that are the problem. And as history shows time and time again, it’s the women and children who suffer the most and are left to clean up the mess. As an aging white man myself, I’m just pointing out the obvious.

One more reason the original Jurassic Park is the best. It spared no expense.