Jurassic Park as you've never seen it before

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Brighton Dome, Brighton, Saturday, September 8

I have to confess, as I walked in to the Brighton Dome I had no idea what to expect.

Not only was this the first time I had seen an orchestra play the live score to a film, it was also my first time watching Jurassic Park... for all you film buffs out there disappointed in me for taking this long to watch an all-time great movie, I’m sorry.

Sometimes when you go into a film that is so hyped up it can be difficult for it to live up to expectation.

Let me tell you, Jurassic Park is not that film.

Storming through two hours of dinosaur infused mayhem was absolutely fantastic.

The dinosaurs themselves were designed outstandingly and looked truly terrifying and awe-inspiring all at once.

Watching the plot unfold, as John Hammond – played impeccably by Richard Attenborough – sees his over the top wildlife park falls apart in front of his very eyes, no thanks to meddling Dennis Nedry.

The film itself is an absolute masterpiece of cinema, maybe one of the best I’ve seen, with twists and turns, plenty of scares and some brilliant wit, most of which is supplied by the icon that is Jeff Goldblum.

But let’s talk about the score, my god the score, that is something else.

In my mind, Star Wars is the most iconic soundtrack in movie history.

From its opening salvo you get giddy with excitement.

It is no surprise then that the mastermind behind that tremendous piece of music, John Williams, is also behind this one.

However, it is the Czech National Symphony Orchestra who had been charged with bringing it to life on this tour, and they most certainly didn’t disappoint.

The sound they create is immense and so very easy to get lost in, it’s remarkable how much work must have gone in to pulling this off twice a day and across the world.

Such is their epic orchestral nature that the theme has been stuck in my head for the past few days.

With it being the first time I had seen the film, I felt my enjoyment of the music was a little lacking due to the fact that I was focussing on the plot.

However I often felt I had forgotten an orchestra was playing as I was so immersed in the movie.

I still have not decided whether this was a good or a bad thing; the fact that I couldn’t distinguish where the orchestra began and ended in line with the film.

The only time I was truly focused on the music was during the credits, and it made me want to stay to watch said credits so they must have been doing something right.

This is where others, who have seen the movie before, may have a different view on things, or may have been able to appreciate the score a bit more.

Therefore I thought I would give the benefit of the doubt to the supreme musical skill that was laid before me.

The Dome was the perfect venue for this piece of movie and music mastery, a huge screen and amazing acoustics really gave it a big blockbuster feel.

If the sequels are anywhere near as good as the original then I need to watch them as soon as possible.

However, I wouldn’t go as far as to want to pay Jurassic Park a real life visit.

Jamie Walker