"Jurassic City" is a 2015 American independent science fiction film directed by Sean Cain. It serves as a mockbuster, a low-budget film made to capitalize on the popularity of the "Jurassic Park" series by Steven Spielberg. Here's a detailed description based on available information:
Plot:
The movie centers around a scenario where genetically modified dinosaurs, specifically Monolophosaurus, escape from a top-secret Black Ops facility. The plot escalates when these creatures are inadvertently rerouted to a nearby prison. A group of sorority girls, who are temporarily in the prison due to a party gone wrong, find themselves trapped alongside the prison's population as the dinosaurs break free and wreak havoc, killing a significant portion of the prisoners and guards. The narrative focuses on the survival efforts of the characters within this confined, chaotic environment.
Cast:
Ray Wise plays one of the key roles, known for his television work in shows like "How I Met Your Mother."
Kevin Gage stars, adding a familiar face for fans of B-movies.
Vernon Wells and Robert LaSardo also feature, bringing their experience from similar genre films.
Additional cast members include Dana Melanie, Sofia Mattsson, and Kayla Carlyle, who portray the sorority girls central to the plot.
Production and Release:
Director: Sean Cain, who also wrote and edited the film.
Producer: Anthony Fankhauser.
Release: The movie was released directly to DVD. It hit the markets in Japan on January 9, 2015, and in the United States on February 3, 2015.
Reception:
Critical Reception: The film has been panned by critics for its poor special effects, substandard acting, and lack of coherent storytelling. Reviews highlight the film's low-budget nature, particularly criticizing the CGI dinosaurs which were compared unfavorably to even basic video game graphics from the era.
Audience Response: Similarly, audience reviews on platforms like IMDb reflect a consensus that the movie is among the poorest in the mockbuster category. It holds a very low rating, indicative of its reception as a 'so bad it's good' type of film.
Technical Aspects:
Runtime: The movie runs for 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Budget: Estimated at around $1,500,000, which is reflected in the quality of its special effects and overall production value.
Streaming and Availability:
"Jurassic City" can be streamed on services like Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, and The Roku Channel, among others. It's also available for rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video.
Cultural Impact:
While it doesn't have the cultural footprint of the official "Jurassic Park" series, "Jurassic City" finds its niche in the realm of cult B-movies, particularly for those interested in the phenomenon of mockbusters or fans of intentionally bad cinema.
In summary, "Jurassic City" is a low-budget, direct-to-DVD film that attempts to mimic the success and themes of the "Jurassic Park" franchise but falls short in execution, becoming a notable entry in the world of mockbusters due to its poor quality and reception.
