Weekend Round-Up Exploring 7.1 with Jurassic Park and An Announcement
This weekend it was a further adventure into 7.1 sound with Jurassic Park at FRC towers, Scott tells all.
Can I just say for the record, that adding those two extra speakers in FRC Towers Front Room Cinema was the best thing ever. Not because it was free to do, but because it has brought on a whole new level of enjoyment and escapism. Being completely surrounded by the sound stage truly makes watching a movie now a CINEMA experience. Having a 92” screen always made me smile, but now the sound matches the size of the screen. I am a very happy bunny.
I have been buying up some films that support a 7.1 sound stage. Not as many out there as you would think… I mean The Dark Knight…? 5.1? Really? But the ones I have tried have been brilliant. I got hold of a copy of Jurassic Park The Ultimate Trilogy, and watching the 1993 film has been my happiest experience YET with the new set up. My review is below, but first an announcement….
This week on FRC it is TAKE OVER week.
I am handing the controls over to some great guest posters. The FRC Staff and myself will be here for the odd review, but the main posts, the daily posts, are being taken over by some great friends… Here is the schedule…
- TUESDAY - Ted S. talks us through a little review of his new Toy in his own Home Cinema
- WEDNESDAY – For the Mumble, Colin from Never Mind The Pop Movies brings us a little mumble all about comedy.
- THURSDAY – The BORN INTO FILM series continues with Fellow Brightonian, friend and great film maker Ant Carpendale taking us into 1974
- FRIDAY – Jack Deth is back to talk more about Michael Mann, and you know that is going to be a doozy!!
I hope you enjoy the take over as much as I am going to! Be nice and comment guys!!
Anyway here are my thoughts on Jurassic Park
Fear, Terror and Wonder. These were my initial thoughts and feelings on Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park when I went to the cinema to see it on it’s initial release in 1993. The director manages to manipulate the viewer between these feelings with such a deft touch that when I watched the Blu-Ray this weekend, nearly 20 years after the film was made, I still found myself lost in those emotions.
Steven Spielberg is one of the most famous modern-day directors, and Jurassic Park may not be his ULTIMATE movie, but there is no denying that he has more talent in his little toe than most people have in their entire body from the outcome. I have not read the Michael Crichton novel on which the film is based, but I am told with great authority that it is not a patch on the film, playing out like WEST WORLD with Dinosaurs. In any lesser hands, the film could have been utter schlock, but with Spielberg and his skill at juggling human emotions, special effects and beautiful set pieces you are truly swept away and completely forgive the logical leaps you have to make and character short comings.
Spielberg is not a director that you would associate with horror, although JAWS is probably still up there as one of the scariest films I have ever seen. But throughout Jurassic Park he weaves in some amazing HORROR set pieces that are totally horrifying. The opening scene with a caged Raptor that manages to attack one of his keepers is horrific and yet it is completely bloodless. The tension that builds up as Game Keeper Muldoon tries to cling to his worker’s hand as the animal tears him apart is almost too much, when the tug-of-war is over you feel exhausted. Very effective, and better than any gore fest.
The T-Rex scene HAS to go down as one of the scariest scenes from the 90s… surely? The slow build up and reveal of the beast again masterfully builds the tension and emotion. The effects were ground breaking at the time, I remember seeing the T-Rex’s eye dilate and thinking… IT IS REAL!! Silly I know, but I was completely lost in the story (and I had seen it before).
The films goes from strength to strength though out the running time. One thing Spielberg does with great prowess is to take us from edge of our seats horror and tension, to truly touching emotional scenes. I want to be sneezed on by a Vege-Saurus!!
The blu-ray itself holds up pretty well. OK the transfer is a touch grainy in places, but I can forgive it that as it is nearly as old as my little brother. One thing I will say though is that the CGI does look dated. You can really tell that this film was blazing the trail for effects, but we see it done so much better now and it is that which stop the effects from being timeless. When they get first introduced to the dinosaurs you can see the edges on the humans, a bit like a weather girl in front of her map on the morning news. It is OK, but not great by today’s standards.
Where the film makes up for this is in the DTS HD:MA 7.1 soundtrack. OH MY. The opening scene I mentioned above has now bumped off Tron Legacy as my demo showcase disk for friends visiting. Every speaker got a good work out and it made it even more scary with Dinosaur noises pops and whizzes coming from everywhere. This depth of sound wasn’t just for the big set pieces, for the entire duration I felt completely consumed by the film. AMAZING!! I really cannot wait to get the other films in the trilogy on now.
If you only buy one Blu-Ray boxest, it should be this one. Especially if you have a 7.1 set up!!
About The Author – Scott Lawlor
Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE
What are your thoughts on Jurassic Park? Have you got a 7.1 System? What did you get up to this weekend? Comment below…
Scott Lawlor
Ahhh, Jurassic Park – easily one of the great films of the 90′s. I even didn’t mind The Lost World, which is saying something because there’s something fundamentally wrong with that film. JPIII is one of the best experiences I’ve had in a cinema in a long time – it remains a favorite. I can’t justify double dipping these films from the DTS DVD’s I already have, but man, I do so want to hear the T-rex attack in 7.1 at some point….
I am the same, I tolerate JP2 mainly for Postlethwaite, I love him!!
3 is pretty amazing too!!
The T-Rex was awesome, the room was a shaking.
hope you’re doing well, Scottie, haven’t seen you around for some time and I see that your comments sections are looking lonesome too.
I am good, thanks
Lonesome?
My thoughts exactly Rodney
lonesome as in poor in comment traffic, lonely empty space
As if Scottie has been neglecting his blogging duties.
Nice to hear you’re fine, Scottie!
wow I didn’t realise comments made a good website these days, could be worse,could have flowers for a background on a movie website
Jurassic Park remains one of my all time favourite films. Sounds like you had fun with your 7.1 and this, this weekend! Very jealous.
Funny you say the FX don’t hold up – whenever I watch the film I always find it to be pretty seamless, but then again I don’t have a mahoosive screen! Or blu-ray for that matter.
Hi, Jaina:
I may have to borrow ‘mahoosive’. A great sounding adjective!
‘Jynoormous’ has been getting a little too much play lately.
he he, agreed, Mahoosive is a great word. I’ve been using Jynoormous (or, alternatively Ginormous) for years, but I’ve never heard of Mahoosive before now. +1 word to the vocab!
HAHAHA I love that you guys have got a new word….
I put fricking inbetween most words now… gi-fricking-normous…. so on and so forth
hahah I am pretty blessed. It wasn’t THAT bad but you could deffo see the edges and sometimes it felt wrong. But still ground breaking for the time
Looking forward to the take over posts! You make me want to go and get 7.1 speakers and the trilogy right now!
You must go buy it now, or I will come around and drag you there myself!!
Hi, Scott and company:
‘Jurassic Park’ is still one of the most well executed CGI/Special Effect films in history.
Still love the scene when the T-Rex noshes on lawyer, Gennaro hiding in the Porta~Potty. Thus creating a new Giant Lizard ‘Crunchy on the Outside/Chewy on the Inside’ Snack Food.
Also like when the clumsy, none too bright Raptors slip and slide around when chasing the kids through the industrial kitchen.
Oh, and beware Brontosaurus snot!
HAHAAH Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle…. Like an Armadillo!!
The raptors were so scary, I love the tap tap tapping of the big claw.
Thanks Jack for the excellent comment.
There was a sale on the JP trilogy recently. How did the video hold up?
As I mentioned above Max, it does show signs of age, a little too grainy in places and the CGI shows flaws… but on the whole it is pretty good.
I still remember the first time I saw JP on the big screen back in the summer of 1993, it was also the first time I’ve ever heard DTS surround sound in a theater, I almost shit my pants when the T-Rex showed up, the bass was so loud the whole theater shook. I really like the book too but a lot of stuff that appeared in the book just would’ve happen impossible to film back then, but if the movie was made today, they could include everything from the novel.
I haven’t picked up the BD yet, still hoping they would be available to purchase separately, I can’t sit through the sequels. Make sure to check out Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, those are some serious 6.1 DTS-MA sound, you won’t disappointed. I especially love Star Wars Ep. 2 disc, the movie sucks but the surround sound kick some serious ass. Fellowship of the Ring is my favorite disc from that set.
HAHA Ted Shits his pants??? Thats… er nice!!
I didn’t mind the sequels as it goes, JP3 was the better of the two for sure!!
I will have to see if I can stretch my bank balance to pick those up. LOTR is a must I think
A 92” screen???! Whoa, you are truly hardcore man, that is awesome! Now you have the sound to match that humongous size of a screen!
Ahah, somehow I thought you have your own film fest called Take Over now. Oh I’m always here matey, you know I do
a film fest? That sounds like a cracking idea!! I wonder how I could pan that out? You have got me thinking matey
Well you should!! FRC Fest has a nice ring to it. Watch out Brighton Fest!
Ahahah that’s ridiculous the system that you have, man! ? Jurassic Park was one of the best in-theater cinematic experience I’ve had and the movie really holds well (even CGI-wise) to this day. It would be amazing to watch it on your system so I don’t know what you are complaining about lol
LOL I know I am fussy bugger. Once I got over myself, the strength of the film really shone through.
Saw Jaws at the cinema on Saturday and it had a remastered 7.1 soundtrack. It was fantastic. The 7.1 will be on the blu ray which comes out in September.
I am SOOOO buying that one!! I love that film
Do you have neighbours, Scott? I’d like a decent audio set-up for my projector but my neighbours are very quiet on one side, and bat-shit crazy on another, so it’s a no-no. Am envious of your set-up anyways.
Saw Jurassic Park recently. It’s a lesser Spielberg, the script is full of holes and it’s not as good as the book, but still has great moments.
As Dan says, Jaws stills looks and sounds fantastic. Loved seeing that in the cinema again.
Yes, Jurassic Park is def impressive in 7.1 vs 5.1
Congratulations to FRC and the use of some fantastic guest posts. I look forward to seeing more from all.
I bought the JP box set for my girlfriend as a birthday present. We had a blast rewatching the first one together. I can only imagine how awesome it would be with your setup!