Rain Instead of Shine

Abstract

The concluding chapter of Constellations: Jurassic Park explores the impact of Jurassic Park. Touching on themes explored in the previous chapters, it shows how nature, fantasy and masculinity were addressed in similar media that followed Jurassic Park’s release. First it looks at Steven Spielberg’s own continuation of the franchise: The Lost World: Jurassic Park, noting the sequel’s darkness and continued subversion. It then explores the TV adaptation of Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton’s film Westworld, drawing out several similarities and differences in approach when compared to Jurassic Park. Finally, it focuses on modern monster movies such as Pacific Rim and the ongoing Monsterverse, as well as the continuing Jurassic franchise (Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom). In doing so, it explores how some of Jurassic Park’s key themes have been evolved in the wider cinema landscape since the film’s release.