On the Masterpiece 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' Where Spielberg's Love for Kaiju Explodes

Man, this summer is insanely hot.

In such a sweltering season, aren't there people who think of beer? Cola? Or perhaps a barbecue?

However, personally, when I think of summer... I recall 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park,' which used to be broadcast almost every year on Friday Road Show.

This series has had its ups and downs, but frankly, I personally believe this film is the greatest masterpiece of the series.

In fact, I would go so far as to say it belongs in the category of Spielberg's greatest masterpieces.

Overview and Commentary of This Film

As for the story of this film, it goes without saying, but just to cover it, after the incident in 'Jurassic Park' produced and released in 1993, Dr. Malcolm is requested by John Hammond, who was ousted from InGen, to go to an island called Site B to check on the state of the dinosaurs.

This Site B is an island that was created as a reserve for Isla Nublar, where the incident in the previous film occurred, and it seems it had been left abandoned for a long time.

John Hammond seems to have been a terrible manager.

That careless Hammond actually had the management rights of the company stolen by his nephew Peter, and Peter is plotting to capture the dinosaurs on this Site B and rebuild Jurassic Park.

That's the kind of story it is, but it's a waste to expect much from the story in this film.

I'm not insulting it, no way!!

This film is, first and foremost, a dinosaur movie; no matter how elaborate the human characterizations are, it's no good if the dinosaurs aren't scary and cool.

In that regard, this film is packed with dinosaurs throughout.

From beginning to end, dinosaurs appear in droves and devour the foolish humans; this commitment to pure entertainment is arguably the film's greatest appeal.

By the way, the ending of this film is a massacre and massive destruction caused by a Tyrannosaurus unleashed on the American mainland.

It's an ending typical of Spielberg, who never neglects to appeal to the audience, and personally, I am extremely satisfied with it.

Spielberg's overflowing love and homage to kaiju films

Now, while that is true for this film... that is not the only highlight.

It is overflowing with numerous homage scenes that would surely excite any dinosaur kaiju film enthusiast.

First of all, it is no exaggeration to say that the final development of this film is an homage to 'Godzilla'.

After all, there is a scene where a middle-aged Japanese man appears and grumbles, 'I left Japan to get away from this kind of thing...'

However, that is not all.

The Tyrannosaurus that goes on a rampage in the climax has a backstory where its child was kidnapped, and it is rampaging in pursuit of it.

This setting of having a child kidnapped by villains and destroying the city while in pursuit is likely an homage to the 1961 film 'Gorgo'.

Furthermore, the homages to past works are not limited to where the dinosaurs appear.

Are you familiar with Roland Tembo, the popular dinosaur hunter who appears in this film?

Roland is a hunter hired by Peter, Hammond's nephew, who is in opposition to the protagonist Dr. Malcolm. However, he is quite a nice guy who helps Malcolm's group despite being harassed by them, and in a deleted scene, he even gets into a fight to help a Black woman being harassed by white tourists.

Roland is a renowned hunter who has defeated numerous wild beasts and is intensely obsessed with killing the Tyrannosaurus, the strongest predator on land.

In the end, it is impressive that he manages to capture the Tyrannosaurus with just a single rifle.

The model for this Roland is likely Maston, who appears in the dinosaur film 'The Last Dinosaur', which was produced by Japanese tokusatsu personnel.

However, that is Spielberg for you.

Even if it is similar, he does not go as far as tracing it.

There is a significant difference between Roland, who disappeared in low spirits after losing many of his companions despite successfully hunting a dinosaur, and Masten, who abandoned modern society out of an obsession with hunting dinosaurs even after losing his own companions.

By not just tracing the original but having it function as a kind of mirror, he ensures it doesn't end as a mere homage.

As expected of Spielberg.

Summary

What did you think?

Looking at it this way, perhaps your perspective on this film might change a little.

Why not take another look at 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park'?