Jurassic Park (1993) is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi thriller not only broke box office records, grossing over $1 billion, but it also became a cultural milestone. Its influence spans sequels, theme park attractions, video games, and more. But how suitable is the original film for children?
While Jurassic Park is famous for its awe-inspiring dinosaurs, it also contains moments of genuine horror. Spielberg’s ability to balance terror with wonder is one of the film’s defining qualities. The dinosaurs are portrayed as majestic creatures, but they are also terrifying predators. Despite minimal gore and violence, the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and shocking dinosaur-on-human violence make it clear that it isn’t actually for kids.
For example, the killing scenes in Jurassic Park are brief but brutal. While blood is scarce, the terror is palpable. The suspense, coupled with what we do see, leaves a lasting impact on younger viewers. The film’s PG-13 rating reflects this mixture of thrills and chills.
However, for those who find the original film too intense for younger audiences, there’s a family-friendly alternative. Jurassic Park has been adapted into a storybook version by Treasure Cove Story, designed to present a more accessible narrative for children. This version closely follows the events of the film, capturing iconic moments like Alan Grant’s encounter with a Brachiosaurus or the thrilling Visitor’s Center showdown with the Velociraptors—but with one major difference: there’s absolutely no violence whatsoever.
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In this adaptation, characters like Robert Muldoon and Dennis Nedry meet their end off-page, sparing younger readers from witnessing the film’s darker moments. While the storybook still retains the awe and adventure of Jurassic Park, it removes the violent dinosaur attacks, offering a gentler introduction to the world of Jurassic Park.
While this version offers a milder take on Jurassic Park, it doesn’t shy away from the wonder and excitement that made the film so special. The stunning visuals of the dinosaurs, the sense of discovery, and the tension of being trapped on an island with prehistoric predators are still there. However, the absence of violent deaths allows younger readers to experience the adventure without the fear factor that the original film provides.
In contrast, the movie is much darker and intense. While it focuses on the excitement of dinosaurs coming back to life, the film includes tense scenes of survival, including terrifying attacks on the human characters. These moments—though thrilling for adult audiences—are filled with real danger and violence that could be unsettling for children.
For those who want a more mature, graphic experience, the original novel “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton delivers a much darker story, delving deeper into the ethical implications of genetic engineering and includes significantly more violence than the film. Characters are killed in much more graphic detail, and the novel’s tone is far more ominous.
While Spielberg’s adaptation focuses on the adventure and spectacle, Crichton’s book highlights the terrifying consequences of playing god with nature. For older readers and adults, “Jurassic Park” the novel provides a much grimmer and more complex exploration of the franchise’s themes. For those “younger versions of adults,” as Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) so eloquently puts it in the 1993 film, Treasure Cove Story’s adaptation is perfect.
Jurassic Park continues to captivate new generations, and with Jurassic World: Rebirth currently in development, the franchise is far from over. Whether you’re watching the original film, reading the storybook, or diving into the novel, there’s always a way to experience the wonder and terror of Jurassic Park.
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Where Can I Watch Jurassic Park?
The original Jurassic Park is available to stream across multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and even Disney+.
“Experience one of the biggest films in motion picture history with director Steven Spielberg’s ultimate thrill ride, Jurassic Park,” the official Jurassic World website reads.
“Featuring Academy Award® winning visual effects and ground-breaking filmmaking that has been hailed as ‘a triumph of special effects artistry’ (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times), this epic film is sheer movie-making magic that was 65 million years in the making. Jurassic Park takes you to an amazing theme park on a remote island where dinosaurs once again roam the earth and five people must battle to survive among the prehistoric predators. Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough, discover the breath-taking adventure you will want to experience again and again.”
Jurassic Park stars Sam Neill (Alan Grant), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm), Ariana Richards (Lex Murphy), Joe Mazzello (Tim Murphy), Richard Attenborough (John Hammond), Wayne Knight (Dennis Nedry), Bob Peck (Robert Muldoon), Samuel L Jackson (Ray Arnold), Martin Ferrero (Donald Gennaro), and BD Wong (Henry Wu).
Are you already familiar with this version of Jurassic Park? Let us know in the comments down below!
