While on an expedition in search of the African Loch Ness Monster, a team of explorers happen upon a Jurassic world that is inhabited by creatures which civilization has thought extinct for millions of years. These carnivorous dinosaurs prove to be territorial and more clever than expected in choosing their prey. Starring: Natasha Loring, Matt Kane, Richard Dillane
Directed by: Sid Bennett
Runtime: 83 minutes
Studio: Vivendi Entertainment
Amazon USAmazon UKIMDBReview: The Dinosaur Project
It’s been twenty years since Steven Spielberg wowed the world with Jurassic Park. In the two decades that have passed there should have been plenty of lessons in how to make a decent dinosaur movie. Sid Bennett’s film takes the now overused idea of footage being discovered of an ill-fated expedition, this one being in the heart of the Congo in search of the African equivalent of the Loch Ness monster. The group leader is Jonathan (Richard Dillane) who is ably assisted by his long-term friend Charlie (Peter Brooke) as well as a young medic Liz (Natasha Loring). Jonathan also has to contend with a stowaway which turns out to be his disobedient son, Luke (Matt Kane). When the group fly over the Congo they are attacked by large flying creatures they can’t identify though it’s clear they’re pterodactyls. Now stranded in the Congo the group must investigate what the hell is going on and then find a way out of there.
It doesn’t take the group long to find an abandoned village with traces of blood splatter suggesting a not so pleasant ending for the locals. Attempts to shelter in the village don’t go well when the group are attacked by a group of creatures during the night. Only in daylight do they comprehend they have stumbled upon an undisturbed land of dinosaurs. Like you do! The usually adventurous Jonathan wants to lead the group to safety immediately and plan a return expedition but Charlie breaks rank and wants to stay and get footage of the dinosaurs in all their glory. Silly, silly man. While some of the dinosaurs are herbivores, many are not and have no qualms about adding humans to their menu.
The Dinosaur Project is a nice idea but it falls badly in its execution. The effects are not great, the acting is sadly lacking and it has nothing to offer as an experience that three Jurassic Park films haven’t covered already. Location wise, it looks pretty good but everything else makes this one a miss for me.
Verdict: 1/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 750 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
