“Jurassic World” is a very modern revival of Steven Spielberg‘s beloved dinosaur franchise, but the film doesn’t ignore its roots.
There are significant references throughout the film to 1993’s
From a hunk of amber to
1. The Mosquito That Birthed a Tyrannosaurus Rex
In the original film, a mosquito preserved in amber houses the DNA that scientists, led by Dr. John Hammond (the late Richard Attenborough), used to genetically grow new dinosaurs. In fact, Hammond uses a walking stick topped with the orb.
In “Jurassic World,” B.D. Wong plays the park’s shifty head scientist, who has advanced into merging dinosaur genetic traits to create more exciting hybrids. The mosquito-in-amber is now a paperweight on his desk.
2. The Dancing DNA
In one of its hokier moments, “Jurassic Park” featured an educational video played for visitors and starring a bouncing DNA cartoon (with a Southern accent) who explained how the dinosaurs were re-created.
In “Jurassic World,” the little guy pops up again but on far more advanced touch-screen technology.
3. The Original Jeep
While slick Mercedes Benz vehicles populate the island theme park in “Jurassic World,” fans of the original will recall that the park’s preferred vehicle was a decked-out safari Jeep.
SPOILER ALERT: On a mission to escape a rapacious hybrid dinosaur, two young brothers Gray (Ty Simpkins) and Zach (Nick Robinson) stumble upon the old vehicles and jump one back to life, cruising through the jungle in a Jeep with the original “Jurassic Park” logo emblazoned on the side.
4. Return of the Adorable, Quickly Terrifying Dilophosaurus
In “Park,” Wayne Knight (known to “Seinfeld” fans as Newman) is the resident evil nerd who leaves inhabitants of the island for dead while attempting to make off with stolen DNA.
His escape is complicated by a run-in with a tiny Dilophosaurus that at first looks sweet, but quickly proves otherwise, emitting a high-pitched shriek and shooting a tar-like substance.
SPOILER ALERT: In “Jurassic World,” the main characters are outrunning a pack of raptors through the visitor center. One clever kid uses a hologram generator to fool his attackers into thinking another dinosaur is in the room. The hologram creature? The Dilophosaurus.
5. The Subtle Laura Dern Tribute
More than one Wrap staffer found a wardrobe choice made by Howard’s character a fitting tribute to “Jurassic Park”‘s Laura Dern, the tough but sensitive botanist who claws her way to safety in the first film.
When Howard’s uptight park manager embraces the fact that her dinosaurs are running amok, she abandons her chic wardrobe along with her illusions. She literally pushes her sleeves up and knots her shirt at the midriff — just as Dern did in the first film.
Jurassic World opens nationwide on Friday.