Frankenstein And Jurassic World: A Comparative Analysis

In Bouriana Zakharieva’s essay, Frankenstein of the Nineties: The Composite Body, Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 film version of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein is discussed and examined in relation to its literary counterpart. A more recent film that seems to parallel the novel is Colin Trevorrow’s 2015 film, Jurassic World. The film is about a theme park that has created a genetically modified, hybrid dinosaur called the Indominus Rex. There are many similarities between the film and Shelley’s nightmarish story, one is the motif of science versus nature and the unnatural creation of life by scientists. With the “progress” of technology our culture reflects the fear of creating our own destruction. Jurassic World is a modern Frankenstein formed
It is this separation from the rest of the world that causes them to question their identity and existence. Zakharieva discusses how the monster in Branagh’s film questions who he is, if he has a soul. While in Jurassic World it is said that the dinosaur is contemplating her own existence and figuring out where she fits in the food chain. Both monster and dinosaur are trying to find their place in society and the world, but react violently. The destruction caused by these creatures turns them evil in the eyes of the audience and other characters. As explained in Zakharieva’s essay, the 1994 monster’s violent acts are cruel and unmotivated; mirroring this is the 2015 film’s comment from Owen Grady that the Indominus Rex is killing for sport. Our fear of the unknown, the unreasoned, the unexplainable is expressed through the reaction to the unprovoked murders in both films. In the novel Shelley explains the monster’s reasoning and thought process behind his killings while the 1994 film, as Zakharieva examines, shows his violence as spontaneous and cruel. Branagh’s and Trevorrow’s films are more frightening because we fear the unexplained, like the reason behind the creatures’