Like most Steven Spielberg movies, this is great the first time you see it, on the big screen.

Watching it on video, however, you notice the third-rate acting by the major characters, the embarrassing dialogue ('hold on to your buts'), the contrived plot; and most of all, how fake the CGI monsters look when your perception adjusts to them. Also, as in every Spielberg movie, JP takes place in a parallel universe where the adults are clueless dolts while children are brilliant, resourceful, and oddly imperivous to physical harm. The best thing about Jurassic Park, IMO, was the use of talented character actors in the less important parts, most notably 'Newman from Seinfeld' as the computer nerd who lets the dinasaurs loose. Not a bad movie, but not a great one, unless you're a kid (the same can be said of most Spielberg movies).

Simplistic thrill ride of a movie. Its suitable to accompany popcorn, but it doesn't bear repeat viewings.