Film on Vinyl: Jurassic Park

Welcome to another installment of Film on Vinyl, Joe Donohue’s column that celebrates the blending of his love for film and music by reviewing and dissecting movie soundtracks pressed on the oh-so-sweet vinyl record. Next up on the playlist: Mondo's release of the "Jurassic Park" soundtrack.

If you were to ask any male or female movie geek over the age of 35 to name their favorite movie, there is a really high chance they’ll name an entry from a little-known film series known as “Star Wars.” George Lucas’ sci-fi trilogy captured the imagination of every child who saw one of the three movies in theaters and never let go. For me, though, a movie geek born a year after the original trilogy ended, I never really felt that same connection. And as ashamed as I am to say this out loud, I was bored through a lot of the series when I was a wee lad. Don’t worry, though, because Luke, Leia, and Han stole a piece of my heart and still have it perfectly preserved in Carbonite to this day.

The movie that utterly and completely stole my heart and imagination as a child was ‘Jurassic Park.” Every moment of the 127-minute running time took my breath away. This movie was my “Star Wars,” and every time I see that T-Rex foot sink into the mud or see those water ripples, chills run through me.

Now, with “Jurassic World” only a week away, all of those old feelings are beginning to bubble to the surface. So to commemorate this momentous occasion, I’m going to gush over one of the most iconic — and recognizable — scores ever to invade our eardrums, and the masterminds who pressed it on vinyl.

Sit back, enjoy the ride and welcome ... to Film on Vinyl.

Packaging:

If I’ve said it once, I've said it 100 times: Mondo is awesome. These creative souls pour their blood and tears into every one of their pieces, and “Jurassic Park” is no different. The art to this release is as simple yet intricate as the film itself. The album cover is a wonderful interpretation of the Brachiosaurus scene. We can see the silhouettes of Lex and Tim perched in the tree as Dr. Grant offers a branch to one of the gentle giants. It’s this beauty that blinds you to the danger lurking below the surface because once you turn inside, a different story unfolds.

The center art is a lot darker than the front, and portrays the iconic scene of the T-Rex chasing Muldoon and company. I can’t help but hear Jeff Goldblum whispering “Must go faster. Must go faster” in my head as I gaze upon this beauty. And as creepy as that sounds, I’m completely OK with it.

And much like the film itself, the album cover finishes strong on a strong note. We’re treated to a wonderful dawn breaking over the horizon and revealing two Velociraptors waiting in the wings. Just when it seems that salvation is in grasp, the danger leaps up behind us.

Tracks:

John William’s score is a near masterpiece that perfectly influences viewers’ emotions throughout the entire film. Even now as I sit listening to the score and write this love letter, I can clearly visualize every moment from the film: the T-Rex making its grand entrance, the characters entering the park and our heroes hanging out with those huggable Brachiosaurs. With every note played, I can’t help but lose myself in the moment. That’s the magic of this score.

There’s no denying that the "Main Theme" is the score's highlight, but beyond that there are definitely a few tracks that hold a special place in my nerdy heart. "Dennis Steals the Embryos" is such a hidden gem. The track adds such suspense to the scene and possesses such a foreboding tone. "Jurassic Park Gate" and "Journey to the Island" both bring focus to the grandeur of the park, making you forget the danger that lurks within those wooden gates.

One of my absolute favorites though is "T-Rex Rescue & Finale." This pulse-pounding track really gets the blood going and brings you to the edge of your seat. You visualize the raptors closing in on Dr. Grant and company, and can feel the beads of sweat form as the pace of the track quickens. In the end, you really can’t go wrong with any of the tracks, because each one is a piece of an extremely intricate puzzle.

Thoughts in a Nutshell:

Mondo’s release of the “Jurassic Park” soundtrack is nothing less than brilliant because it looks as beautiful as it sounds. This score is the prize piece in my collection and for good reason. If you’re a fan of this movie, then I would highly recommend getting this piece from Mondo. It is a perfect homage to a timeless film.

Until next time, make sure you’re using the appropriate cartridge. Remember to always spin responsibly.