Jurassic Park IIIdid not gain the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessors, yet thisJurassic Parksequel is one of the most entertainingentries in the franchise. Despite itsconsistently strong action sequences and straightforward plot, the third installment suffered from Steven Spielberg’s absence after his work on the first two chapters. In truth,Jurassic Park IIIwas better thanThe Lost Worldfor the way it shaped the series, butthe last entry to the original trilogy ruined the character arc of Alan Grant(Sam Neill), which eventually cast a shadow over his reunion with Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) inJurassic World Dominion.
The Lost WorldandJurassic Park IIIhave some interesting parallels.The Lost Worldfocuses on Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) and his rescue operation at Site B, but conclusively does not feature Alan Grant.Jurassic Park IIIcenters on Alan’s trip to Isla Sorna, too. However, while the second sequel includes Ellie, it fails to provide Dern with substantial screen time. Audiences were excited about the return of the original cast andAlan Grant inJurassic World Dominion, but it’s hard to denyAlan and Ellie’s romantic reunion was disheartening after the events ofJurassic Park III.
Jurassic Park III’s Biggest Problem Wasn’t The Spinosaurus But Alan And Ellie’s Failed Relationship
Jurassic Park III Entirely Reversed Alan Grant’s Character Development
Jurassic Park IIIwas heavily criticized for its inclusion of a new dinosaur, which sparked numerous discussions aboutwhether a Spinosaurus could really beat a T. Rex.However, later installments in the franchise definitively prove thatJurassic Park III’sbiggest issue was actually the strained relationship between Alan and Ellie.Jurassic Parksubtly influences Alan to reconsider his perspective on raising a familywith Ellie — which was the main conflict within their relationship.Jurassic Park IIIopens with a hopeful image of Alan and Ellie’s child, but quickly shatters the illusion by abruptly introducing her husband, Mark (Taylor Nichols).
10 Missed Opportunities From The Jurassic Park & Jurassic World Movies
The original Jurassic Park movies and Jurassic World reboots have missed some perfect opportunities to take the story and action in a new direction
What’s interesting is howthe movie fails to explain why Alan and Ellie parted ways between the events ofJurassic ParkandJurassic Park III. By overlooking the timeline of their relationship, the creators mostly alienate the movie’s audience. Mark had a very minor role in the third movie, which only underlines the questionable choice to have the main characters separate. Alan and Ellie’s relationship brought a lot of strength to theJurassic Parktimeline, and disregarding their connection undermined Alan’s character growth. Additionally, it diminished the future of their relationship later in the franchise when the characters reconnected inJurassic World Dominion.
Alan Grant And Ellie Sattler’s Reunion In Jurassic World Dominion Was Not As Purposeful Because Of Jurassic Park III’s Choices
The Main Characters Reunion In Jurassic World Dominion Was An Arbitrary Decision
Jurassic World Dominioncomes 20 years after the events ofJurassic Park III.The franchise’s legacy characters join forces again for the first time since 1993 to investigate a giant locust infestation in Texas, U. S. It’s made clear that Ellie has divorced her husband, Mark, at some point between these two decades. For the most part, this makesJurassic Park III’snarrative feel somewhat redundant.Dominionends rather predictably with Alan and Ellie rekindling their romantic relationship. It’s hard to argue that this reunion didn’t feel slightly superficial because of their unnecessary separation in the third movie.
That’s not to say that the pair’s reunion is unwelcome, as they are two of the most beloved characters in the franchise — but it was a futile attempt to appease the lifelong audiences. Arguably, the time apart inJurassic Park IIIaccentuated how theirDominionrelationship verged dangerously close to fan service. Previews ofJurassic World Dominionindicated their heavy involvement in theJurassic Worldfranchise, but it was almost too predictable.A bigger sacrifice in the pair’s relationship would have been more meaningful to their character arcs, and would have acknowledged the history established inJurassic Park III.
