The Jurassic World comes alive in Manchester during this exciting expo. Step back in time and come face-to-face with iconic dinosaurs from history and the movies. As a fan of the original film, I had an absolute blast visiting this event!
JURASSIC WORLD
Earlier this year, my wife and I binge-watched all the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. Growing up with the first Jurassic Park, I was thrilled to see that it still holds up. It was such a blast to revisit. Honestly, the second and third movies were not as strong, but seeing the characters again made them worthwhile. The same goes for the Jurassic World series. The first movie was the best, but it was so enjoyable to reunite with familiar faces. Personally, it is just so much to share the enjoyment of watching the movies with my lovely wife. Who thankfully was just as excited with the whole movie.
The original Jurassic Park came out in 1993 and was directed by Steven Spielberg. A fun fact I wasn’t aware of is that the movie is based on a book written by Michael Crichton. The story takes place on Isla Nublar, an island where wealthy businessman John Hammond and a team of genetic scientists have created a wildlife park filled with dinosaurs. Brought back from extinction, these legendary animals roam the island. However, as the protagonists soon discover, industrial sabotage causes a shutdown of the park’s power. With the dinosaurs on the loose, it becomes a struggle to escape the island alive.
Apparently, once wasn’t enough to learn from past mistakes, as two more Jurassic Park movies followed in the years after. The Jurassic World reboot, released in the early 2010s, has been a big success as well. If I’m not mistaken, the latest instalment is expected to hit cinemas next year. I can’t wait for that!
ALIVE IN MANCHESTER
Well, the fiction came to life here in Manchester. Jurassic World: The Exhibition brings dinosaurs back in an immersive, interactive experience. When I visited, I was part of a group of about six people. We were brought into a visual simulation inside a ship, preparing for our journey to the dinosaur-filled island. The cast member guiding us did an amazing job of making us feel like part of the story.
As the ship doors opened, and we stepped through the iconic gates of Jurassic World, we were immediately face-to-face with a towering, plant-eating Apatosaurus. The movement, the sounds, and the overall atmosphere were incredibly convincing. The animatronics for all the different dinosaurs were fantastic. I’ll admit I was a bit sceptical about how good it could be, but it was genuinely well done. The dinosaurs felt like living, breathing creatures from the past. Sure, the darkness occasionally reminded you that you were in an expo hall, but the detailed decor quickly pulled you back into the world.
The actors throughout the experience were top-notch. They not only played their roles with enthusiasm but also seemed to know everything about this fictional world and its inhabitants. I had a smile on my face the entire time. Even though I usually feel a bit awkward interacting in these kinds of experiences, I had an absolute blast. Throughout the exhibit, you get to see a variety of dinosaurs including Blue, touch a baby dino, and even witness an epic boss battle: T-Rex versus Indominus Rex. If you’re a fan of the movies, this is a must-visit experience.
Is it perfect? Almost. The only drawback is the price, it’s a bit steep at £36. For an experience that lasts about an hour, it might feel a bit pricey. But hey, we only live once, and it’s all about making memories. I truly enjoyed this one.
