Metascore
42 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 30
  2. Negative: 7 out of 30
  1. 75
    Not as awe-inspiring as the first film or as elaborate as the second, but in its own B-movie way, it's a nice little thrill machine.
  2. 70
    Fast and funny and brings back some of the wonder to the series.
  3. Definitely still beating a dead dinosaur here, but the film is leaner, more exciting and superior in every way to the last outing.
  4. Another of many recent Hollywood plotless wonders.
  5. Anything, Steven, anything would be better than making us watch the same movie again.
  6. Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    63
    What makes it worth sitting through is the chance it offers to catch up on the technical advances since the last installment.
  7. 63
    Despite all its talk of genetic engineering and its deliberately stupid characters, the unintended message of Jurassic Park III is that when it comes to art and entertainment, you can't beat human DNA.
  8. Reviewed by: Cody Clark
    60
    The ending is so absurd, in fact, that it feels like it was improvised by a committee of 6-year-olds. If the raptors truly were intelligent, they'd have eaten the final reel.
  9. The sheer physical presence of these creatures is much more believable and convincing than what can be generously characterized as the film's plot.
  10. 60
    Isn't terribly frightening or gory, and at times it's even atmospheric. It also has a sense of humor, and the digs at the prequels hit pay dirt.
  11. The screenplay is so stale that even fans of the previous "Jurassic" installments might think this is one clone too many.
  12. 50
    The whole enterprise sags and wheezes like the tired, we're-in-this-strictly-for-the-money sequel it really is.
  13. This is a monster movie -- 92 minutes, lots of action, lots of green legs stomping, get in, get out.
  14. Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    50
    While kids of all ages will want to see it, the movie is loud and occasionally brutal, and while the body count is relatively low, it's still pretty scary stuff.
  15. Has no pretentions to be anything more than a goose-bumpy fantasy theme-park ride for kids, but it's such a routine ride.
  16. At its best, Jurassic Park III is eerily similar to some of the more recent dinosaur-themed video games on the market.
  17. 42
    Maybe if you're younger than 10 you'll be scared or thrilled by this film. Otherwise, be prepared for one of the most unexciting pictures this summer.
  18. When a cell-phone gag is the most exciting or inventive thing in a big summer dinosaur movie, you have to wonder if the species might not be ready for extinction.
  19. Reviewed by: John Leonard
    40
    With Joe Johnston directing instead of Spielberg, who executive-produces, and a scrum of screenwriters, none named Crichton, the franchise suffers some negligence.
  20. 40
    More of the same -- only less so.
  21. 40
    All it wants to do is scare a smile onto your face, and it often succeeds. After all, how can a movie that offers Michael Jeter as a mercenary not be fun?
  22. Reviewed by: Ed Epstein
    40
    Exemplifies Hollywood's standard practice of stomping a brilliant concept beyond recognition.
  23. 40
    The story's tired, as are the main characters.
  24. Has to be the sorriest excuse for a reprise since "Highlander — The Final Dimension."
  25. Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    38
    Even the special effects alone aren't worth the price of admission.
  26. Reviewed by: Derek Elley
    30
    Game ride that makes the two previous installments look like models of classic filmmaking.
  27. The "Jurassic Park" movie franchise does not evolve. Quite the opposite: It degenerates at great speed.
  28. 20
    Stinks worse than dino dung. Sure, the creatures look good.
  29. Drama is minimal and character nonexistent.
  30. A serious been-there-done-that number.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 70
  2. Negative: 23 out of 70
  1. IzaakV
    10
    I love this movie. The mere fact that they brought it out just for more 'jurassic park action' is good enough for me.
  2. Jurassic Park III is nowhere near as good as the excellent original. But neither is it as bloated or unnecessarily kill-count heavy as it's immediate predecessor, The Lost World. Falling somewhere in-between, Jurassic Park III is a short, streamlined picture that delivers a fun dose of Dinosaur related mayhem. Nothing more, nothing less. Good, fun B-movie entertainment. Full Review »
  3. This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This movie pulled Jurassic Park into a hole for me. Johnston directed Jumanji, and that was a great movie. Why he couldn't do the same here, I don't know. Maybe more realistic situations instead of a kid falling onto an island that is supposed to be heavily protected? Or later having that kid almost being picked to death by a bunch of baby pterosaurs? Oh no, not baby pterosaurs. I'll plus the score for the slight suspense at some parts. I hope Jurassic Park IV brings the series back for me, but I think the Lost World and this one here messed it up enough for me. Full Review »