Like most of Steven Spielberg’s popular movies, Jurassic Park became something of a phenomenon when it arrived in theatres in 1993. In some ways it is the only dinosaur movie to have achieved mass critical acclaim, with a strong story and fine acting backing up the impressive practical and computer effects. As you would expect from the master of cinema, the film featured lots of instantly memorable moments that would become part of pop culture history. So for the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park, let’s look back at some of the most memorable moments.

Brachiosaurus Reveal

The first time we see a dino in the movie has become a legendary scene. Shortly after arriving on the island, Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler are riding in a jeep and come around a corner to see a real living Brachiosaurus grazing on the trees. It’s such a great scene as the audience can share in the character’s amazement, especially back in 1993 when the effects were cutting edge. Next time you watch it, make sure to wear sunglasses so you can remove them in shock.

“Clever Girl”

The park’s game warden Robert Muldoon was a realist. He had worked with and hunted most large predators around the world and knew the dangers associated with the park. In particular, he had a respect for the Raptors, realising how intelligent and lethal they would be out of their enclosure. When the power went off and all the animals escaped, the Raptors were with them. Muldoon tried to hunt them but turned into the prey. Just before he’s eaten he realised this, with his last line being “clever girl” as he was surprised by the pack.

Water Ripples

You can’t get more Spielberg than this shot. It’s almost like the Jaws theme being used to herald the shark’s approach. It’s an amazing scene, as everything is quiet except for the dull thud of Rexy’s footsteps and the ripples forming in the glass of water. It’s so simple, yet so powerful, building up the tension before the attack. It was used again with perhaps even more effect when Malcolm was in the Jeep with a broken leg and the ripples formed in a puddle next to him.

Ian Malcolm’s Pose

Yes of course it’s included! This scene has become one of the most famous in the entire Jurassic Park franchise, with memes, Funkos and more based on it. It’s such an odd scene because it comes out of nowhere and has nothing at all to do with the plot. Remember this was in 1993, long before Marvel movies made such scenes obligatory.

T-Rex Attack

When Dennis Nedry cut the power to the park’s systems, the tour stopped dead outside the T-Rex paddock. Unfortunately, the electric fences were offline too, and it didn’t take Rex long to figure this out. Soon, what should have been a fun day out turned into a nightmare as the dinosaur attacked the tour vehicles, tearing one to pieces. Pretty much everything in this long scene is iconic, the flares, the T-Rex bellow, Grant freezing so he can’t be seen, Genarro’s demise in a park toilet.

Kitchen Raptors

There’s nothing worse than finding a Raptor in your kitchen. This is such a great scene as it is just the two kids having to survive on their own for the first time as the Raptors hunt them through the kitchen. It’s filled with so many tiny things that are just perfect, like the Raptor using the door handle, the claws tapping menacingly on the tiles, Tim slipping on the ice, and Lex’s reflection confusing the dinosaur.

“Life Finds a Way”

Ian Malcolm could be insufferable at times, but he was right about the park’s fate. If he’d been listened too then maybe crisis could have been averted. Right from the moment he arrived, Malcolm figured out the flaws with the whole idea of creating dinosaurs and understood the unpredictable patterns in nature. All of his concerns and criticisms could be summed up in his one line that’s now become the tagline for the whole franchise: “Life finds a way.”

When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

From beginning to end there are iconic scenes all through this movie. The final shot to involve a dinosaur is no exception. As all the humans have either been killed or fled to the chopper, the T-Rex stands in the visitor’s centre, a place it was never meant to be, and bellows a triumphant roar as the banner falls past it declaring “When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth”. It seems that they were ruling once again, at least that small part of it, and no amount of tech or equipment could stop them.

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