In the summer of 1995, I went to the Hamptons for a vacation. During that week off, I did many things, I swam, I hiked – and I went to see Jurassic Park. A brand new movie that was, according to it’s promotional posters, “Sixty Five Million Years In The Making” – and something I waited twenty-three years for. About five minutes after the theatre went dark – I kicked off my shoe from fright – and that is pretty much how scary the rest of the movie was.

Three years later, I once again found myself in a movie theatre to see The Lost World – the sequel to one of the best movies I ever saw. If I could describe The Lost World in one sentence – I would say that if Alien introduced us to the most frightening creature in outer space – then Jurassic Park introduced us to the most frightening creatures ever to inhabit the Earth – and The Lost World brought those creatures back with the same tenacity, perseverance – and ferociousness as Aliens.

But just as Alien 3 left a worse taste in it’s viewer’s mouths then it’s two predecessors – Jurassic Park III unfortunately proves that the third time is not the charm.

The story begins with a man and a young boy parasailing alongside Isla Sorna – or “Site B”. While traveling through a dense cloud – they encounter a “problem” and are forced to detach from their boat – and land on an island that is – unbeknownst to them – inhabited by dinosaurs.

We are then re-introduced to Dr. Alan Grant – who is with another character that we are re-introduced to – his old friend – and old flame – Ellie – who is living with a man whom she shares two children with. Dr. Grant tells Ellie that scientist’s theories about Raptors was wrong – because we now know they can communicate with each other – to a degree we never imagined. Later, Ellie tells Dr. Grant that he can call on her, “anytime, anywhere.”

So where are the dinosaurs?

After that touching scene, we see Dr. Grant giving a speech at a Grant Dinner about the potential intelligence of the Velociraptor – which could far surpass the level of intelligence of the human race – before asking for money to study them.

Returning to the site of the most recent Raptor dig – Dr. Grant is disappointed about the lack of donations when he is surprised by Paul Kirby – a man who wants to take an arial tour of Isla Sorna – and is willing to write a blank check to Dr. Grant for being their guide.

Reluctantly disagreeing, Dr. Grant and his assistant Billy fly to Isla Sorna on Kirby’s private jet in the hopes of seeing some of history’s past. After finally encountering a few herds of Herbivores – the pilots make preparations to land – while Dr. Grant shouts at them not to – and gets knocked unconscious for his efforts.

When he awakens – he realizes that they are on land – and the first of their crew is about to become the meal of the first new dinosaur we are introduced to – the dreaded Spinosaurus. In a desperate attempt to escape with the rest of their lives – the plane crashes after an all to obvious accident and is forever disabled by the trees it impacts upon – and the survivors are immediately welcomed to “Site B” – by the now familiar Spinosaurus.

During the rest of the movie, the unfortunate humans encounter the rest of the island’s inhabitants – like the small but deadly compys, the gentle but enormous Brachiasaurus – and the dreaded Tyrannosaurus Rex – and get stuck in a number of “no-win situations” until the unsurprising end of the only one and a half hour movie.

Just like the feeling I had when I saw the credits roll after Alien 3 – I watched Jurassic Park III’s credits roll and was left with the same feeling – that the first two were better then the third.

Besides the obvious rescues, the convenient amount of time allotted for the romantic and humorous moments – and the perfectly wrapped up ending, the one part of the movie that bothered me the most was that a few times during the movie – I was unfortunately reminded of Godzilla. In Godzilla, a giant lizard the size of the Statue of Liberty is destroying New York City – and Matthew Broderick spends almost a collective half hour on screen with his “ex” wondering why their love fell apart – and starting to once again have feelings for each other – which is precisely what happens between the couple that charted – and thwarted – Dr. Grant.

Hello? Dinosaurs?

The rest of the movie was one inescapable yet escapable scene after another – with Dr. Grant realizing more and more about the Raptor’s intelligence – while the group tries to survive from one second to the next. In the end, Dr. Grant and a few of the rest of the humans make it off the island – with the help of an old friend.

I admit that the movie was scary. I admit that the movie was entertaining. I admit that the movie was enjoyable – but I have to admit that the movie was a very unfortunate and disappointing letdown.

From the opening credits, it was unfortunately predictable, expected – and way too short. I was hoping for more storyline, more explanation – and certainly more dinosaurs – but my ideas and hopes were apparently extinct.

The good news is that Jurassic Park III did leave the end of the movie open for a fourth installment – because judging by their almost identical successes and plot – the next of the Jurassic Park movies will be as good as Alien Resurrection – at least let’s hope.

Straight out – go see it – but don’t expect more then what you expect.