Welcome to “Jurassic World.” It’s been 14 years since Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) ventured back to the island in “Jurassic Park III” where scientist used dinosaur DNA to create what was supposed to be the ultimate theme park. At least that was the pitch for the first movie, “Jurassic Park,” eight years earlier.
Things went more chaotic than planned in the first three Jurassic movies. Standing in long lines was replaced by running from raptors. The snacks on the menu turned out to be the humans who couldn’t escape threats like Tyrannosaurus rex.
The doors are open again Friday to the exotic location with “Jurassic World.” Before you buy your ticket for the summer thrill ride, here’s a visitor’s guide.
Sequel land
This is the fourth film in the series. The others include:
“Jurassic Park” (1993): Power breakdown turns preview tour of theme park into a battle for survival. Director: Steven Spielberg. Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough.
“The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997): Reasarch team is sent to a Site B island to study the dinosaurs. They run into a group looking to take one of the dinosaurs to the mainland. Director: Steven Speilberg. Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite.
“Jurassic Park III” (2001): Divorced couple tricks Dr. Alan Grant (Neill) into going back to the dinosaur island in order to help them find their son. Director: Joe Johnston. Cast: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Tea Leoni.
“Jurassic World” (2015): Another attempt to open a dinosaur area is made. Results are the same. Director: Colin Trevorrow. Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio.
Book world
“Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” were both based on novels by Michael Crichton. The first book was written in 1990. The book actually came out of a screenplay Crichton wrote seven years earlier about a grad student’s effort to re-create a dinosaur.
He wrote the second book, “The Lost World,” in 1995 at the urging of fans and director Steven Spielberg.
“Jurassic Park III” and “Jurassic World” are based on characters created by Crichton.
Super connection
Because of the growing number of comic book-inspired productions, more and more actors have credits for films or TV shows featuring a costumed hero. Several of the actors in “Jurassic World” share this trait.
Chris Pratt: Portrays Peter Quill in the mega hit “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Bryce Dallas Howard: Took on the role of Gwen Stacy in “Spider-Man 3.”
Vincent D’Onofrio: Plays a New York kingpin in the TV series “Daredevil.”
Omar Sy: He was Bishop in “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”
Judy Greer: She’s playing Maggie in the upcoming “Ant-Man.”
Brian Tee: He’s Noburo in “The Wolverine.”
Ty Simpkins was in “Iron Man 3.”
Irrfan Khan had a role in “The Amazing Spider-Man.”
Back for more
The only cast member to return from one of the previous films is BD Wong. He reprises his role of Dr. Henry Wu from “Jurassic Park.”
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