Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Jurassic Park is a legitimate masterpiece that changed cinema and launched a thousand dinosaur obsessions. The science fiction premise is brilliant, the ethical questions are meaty, and it genuinely inspired kids to become paleontologists.

But let's be real: this is a scary movie. The T-Rex attack in the rain, the velociraptors stalking children through a kitchen, the dilophosaurus spitting venom at a guy before eating him—these scenes were designed to terrify, and they succeed. This isn't 'The Land Before Time.' It's Spielberg doing Hitchcock with dinosaurs.

The bigger issue for modern kids? It's from 1993. The first 45 minutes are slow exposition and talking. The 'hacking' scene is laughably dated. Kids raised on rapid-fire Marvel editing may struggle with the pacing. Yes, the practical effects hold up better than early CGI, but your 8-year-old doesn't care about filmmaking history—they want dinosaurs NOW.

If you've got a 10-12 year old who's obsessed with dinosaurs and can handle genuine scares, this is still a rite of passage. You'll have amazing conversations about ethics, science, and hubris. Just maybe watch it together first, and definitely don't start with younger kids who think dinosaurs are cute.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who can handle sustained tension and scary moments. Younger dino-obsessed kids might beg for it, but the terror is real and lingers. Teens might find it slow compared to modern blockbusters but will appreciate the classic status.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

58

Features positive themes of family protection and scientific responsibility, but undermined by significant peril, death scenes (including a lawyer being eaten on a toilet for dark comedy), and sustained terror. The grandchildren are in genuine danger throughout, and multiple characters die violently. Pacing alternates between wonder and chaos, with the second half heavily skewed toward survival horror.

Imaginative

92

Groundbreaking concept that brought dinosaurs to life in ways never seen before. The premise of extracting DNA from amber and recreating extinct species sparked countless young imaginations and real scientific discussions. Iconic designs, memorable set pieces, and world-building that inspired decades of dinosaur fascination. Revolutionary visual effects that still hold up reasonably well.

Safe

42

Multiple intense and frightening sequences including the T-Rex attack, velociraptors hunting children through a kitchen, and several graphic deaths (man dragged off toilet and eaten, man mauled by dilophosaurus with spitting venom, arm falling on character). Jump scares throughout. The PG-13 rating (which this film essentially created) signals content that will genuinely frighten younger viewers. No sexual content or nudity, but violence and terror are sustained and memorable.

Enriching

75

Raises fascinating ethical questions about genetic engineering, corporate greed vs. scientific responsibility, and humanity's relationship with nature. Sparked genuine interest in paleontology for an entire generation. Features strong STEM themes and showcases problem-solving under pressure. However, the educational elements are secondary to the thriller aspects, and the science is more science-fiction than accurate.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely sparked more interest in dinosaurs and paleontology than any documentary ever could—this is the gateway drug to STEM
Raises real ethical questions about genetic engineering, corporate responsibility, and playing God that are still relevant today
Iconic scenes and quotable moments that have become cultural touchstones ('Life finds a way')
Shows scientists as heroes and demonstrates problem-solving under extreme pressure
The practical effects and animatronics hold up better than you'd expect, offering a masterclass in pre-CGI filmmaking

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What to Watch For

The T-Rex attack and velociraptor kitchen scenes are genuinely terrifying—this isn't a cute dinosaur movie, it's a monster movie
Several characters die on screen, including the infamous lawyer-on-toilet scene that's played for dark comedy
Sustained tension throughout the second half may be too intense for sensitive kids under 10-11
Some dated gender dynamics and the kids can be annoying (especially the 'hacker' scene that hasn't aged well)
At over 30 years old, the pacing feels slow to kids raised on Marvel—there's a LOT of talking before dinosaurs show up

Conversation Starters

"If scientists could bring back extinct animals today, should they? What could go wrong?"
"Why did the park fail? Was it just bad luck or bad planning?"
"Dr. Malcolm keeps saying nature can't be controlled—what do you think he means?"
"Would you want to visit Jurassic Park if you knew it was safe? What dinosaur would you most want to see?"
"The owner thought he was creating something wonderful—when does a good idea become a dangerous one?"

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