"Jurassic Park": Dino Mighty

What the Kids Were Watching

In the Season 1 finale of What the Kids Were Watching, the hosts finally find a dino-sore spot: a film they vehemently disagree on. The 1993 dinosaur action/adventure/thriller/total special effects game-changer "Jurassic Park" had so much influence on Sarah that she talks at 1.5 speed for most of the podcast. Raf, meanwhile, is ready to roar with critiques and complaints about the movie.

But as the hosts discover, there's a lot to love AND dislike about the original "Jurassic Park." For example, sexism clearly abounds, from the mean jokes at Lex's expense to the numerous Ellie Sattler butt shots. However, the film does a great job of building tension by slowly revealing the monsters (a la "Jaws"). Sarah also argues that the film is one coming-of-age metaphor after another, especially with its presentation of possible romantic partners. "If you watched this movie at the age that we watched it," she says, "you found yourself shockingly attracted to one of four characters: Sam Neill as Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Ellie, Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, or the velociraptor."

Yet it's hard to ignore the film's larger message about how humans are the real problem, especially in this day and age. As Raf quips, "It's all fun and games until someone tries to destroy a civilization." But between groan-worthy dinosaur puns, hot fashion takes, Halloween costume suggestions, and the terrifying truth about pelicans, things never get too gloomy in the podcast. After all, the hosts want to end the season on tricera-top.