ENTERTAINMENT
Faze Online
JURASSIC PARK re-release
by Dana Marie Krook

"An adventure 65 million years in the making."

Now available on blu-ray and DVD, in an "Ultimate Triology" collection, is the original action/adventure flick which changed the world of film by taking a huge leap in CGI, Jurassic Park. With new bonus features and digital copies of all three films, this is a must-have for any film-buff.

But, just in case you're not familiar with the story, here's the run down:

A billionaire philanthropist, John Hammond, charges a small team of genetic scientist with the task of creating real dinosaurs (cloned from the DNA of a prehistoric insects, preserved for thousands of years in amber) for an exclusive theme park. Before it ever opens, several experts are invited to investigate its safety. Joining said group are Hammond's grandchildren, Tim and Lex Murphy, who are excited to explore this new world. Until, that is, the park's security system is accidentally deactivated and it's no longer safe for anyone. Now stranded on the island with wild dinosaurs on the prowl, the group must survive the landscape long enough to be rescued.

Faze caught up with star Ariana Richards (who played Lex Murphy all those years ago) to chat about what it's like to look back.

The film Jurassic Park is now so iconic in the world of film today--did you have a feeling it was going to be as big as it was while you were filming?

I had no idea that Jurassic was going to be a huge hit, and to tell you the truth, I didn't really think about what would happen after we filmed it.

I had so much fun, thanks to Steven Spielberg. He talks about always longing to experience dinasaurs as a young boy. He created that world for Joe M. and I and we took it just as he offered it--an adventure each day we entered the set!  What would we find?  He wanted us to feel free and spontaneous, and we did!

I remember the first time I saw the film, as a kid, and was successfully terrified during the scene where you and your on-screen brother are being pursued by raptors. How did you get into that frame of mind while on set?

Steven asked me that same question once during filming the T-Rex attack in the Jeep--how did I reach such levels of terror, was I scared by a clown when I was three? Then he said, "Wait, wait…I don’t want to know." That was a memorable moment.

Do you have a favourite scene?

The raptor scene in the kitchen. I’ve always found the velociraptor the most frightening—they are so eerily intelligent. Even watching that scene after filming it gave me chills.

Other than maybe dinosaurs chasing after you, what are you most afraid of in real life?

Heights, definitely. You won’t see me taking up sky diving, or bunji jumping anytime soon! Though occasionally while filming, I've had to be at extreme heights, at the tops of cliffs etc.  Somehow I manage to put my fear on hold! "The show must go on" and all that.

What advice would you offer to young aspiring actors who are just entering or even just thinking about entering the acting world?

Be sure you are ready to really devote yourself to the acting work, because it’s not all red carpets and glamour. Of course, that said, I was enjoying myself so much filming Jurassic Park that I didn’t mind being covered in mud and frequently dripping wet from head to foot with 10ft. fans blowing rain on me! There's a lot of study that goes into the acting profession, and a lot of auditioning, along with tons of disappointments. But if its your calling, you will know.

The Jurassic Park trilogy is available on blu-ray and DVD October 25th. Check out Ariana's favourite scene, with the velociraptors, below!

 

Follow Faze on Twitter @FazeMagazine