In 1993, the entire world fell under the spell of dinosaurs thanks to Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, a tidal wave of box office hits and a cultural phenomenon. With a worldwide gross of more than a billion dollars and a lasting impact on pop culture, the film remains an essential landmark more than 30 years after its release. The saga continues with new installments in the Jurassic World franchise.
However, in the weeks leading up to its release, another dinosaur movie tried its luck: Carnosaurus. Made on a ridiculous budget compared to its Hollywood colossus – about 75 times less than that Jurassic Park – This film by Darren Moloney and Adam Simon quickly fell into Spielberg’s shadow, despite a fairly similar script. as Jurassic ParkIt tells the story of scientists bringing dinosaurs back to life and is inspired by a novel of the same name that was published a few years ago.
Two movies, two styles
where Jurassic Park A mixture of wonder and tension, Carnosaurus opts for a distinctly horrifying tone. The film, which was banned for under-18s when it was released, focuses on blood and madness, with an eccentric scientist – Dr. Tiptree, played by Diane Ladd – trying to bring the dinosaurs back to life through a virus that causes dinosaur pregnancies. When a genetically engineered creature escapes, the duo of a cynical night watchman and an idealistic environmentalist are tasked with saving humanity.
Despite the minimal budget ($850,000), Carnosaurus It grossed $1.7 million and spawned two sequels, released in 1995 and 1996. The film, according to some fans, has become a classic “invalidity“: Elementary special effects, incredible actors and a crazy plot, which makes it irresistibly funny.
A little strategic revenge
Carnosaurus He did not hesitate to play on the popularity of his competitor in order to make himself known. Voluntarily released a few weeks earlier Jurassic ParkThe film presented itself as a “darker” alternative:Seventy-five million years ago they ruled the earth. They’re back and it’s not an amusement park!“, proclaimed its tagline. Producer Roger Corman saw it as almost a direct competitor, going so far as to hire him, according to The Week. Diane LadyMother of Laura Dern, star Jurassic Park.
Original novel CarnosaurusPublished six years before Michael Crichton’s edition, it had already laid the groundwork in the 1980s. Author John Brosnan (under the pseudonym Harry Adam Knight) was then inspired by the prediction that Hollywood would soon be interested in dinosaur movies.
“In 1983, fellow film journalist Alan Jones returned from a visit to Hollywood with news that the next big trend in Hollywood would be dinosaur movies. He told me that there was a whole series of dinosaur pictures on the drawing boards“, he writes (Via Sunday). “So I immediately thought of a cunning plan. I quickly hatched a plan to create genetically modified dinosaurs in a private zoo owned by a deranged aristocrat in deep Cambridgeshire.“
Even if the exact time was not observed, the film was released in 1993 Carnosaurus to ride on the created wave Jurassic Park.
A cult film in spite of itself
charm for many viewers Carnosaurus lies on its exaggeratedly bad side. Absurd scenes, out-of-this-world special effects and cartoonish acting make the film a fun and engaging experience for pranksters. According to the viewer’s comment, which can be found on our site – where the film is rated 1.4 out of 5 – it is “The first opus of a remarkable trilogy in many respects, this film’s void makes it a must-see. Everything about this movie is funny and funny… the actors are incredibly bad, the special effects worthy of a 16th century movie and the script is hilarious.“That’s how it’s written!
This netizen also pays homage to its opening scene with a green background that remains “one of them”: A memorable moment worthy of the kitsch cinema archive.
Finally, if Jurassic Park remains the juggernaut of dinosaur cinema, Carnosaurus Deserves its place in history… for its craziness, its purposeful stupidity, and its daring attempt to steal Spielberg’s spotlight, all for a fraction of the budget.
If you want to make up your own mind, you’ll have to refer to the possible DVD releases of Carnosaur. As for Jurassic Park (1993), it’s available on VOD.
Check out the trailer Carnosaurus below:
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
