Congo (1980) - Michael Crichton - Book Review

Man... Michael Crichton, what can I say about the man... I mean when I was a kid and just getting in to reading books for more then just for School, I found his novels to be like movies... Fun, exciting, and frankly they kept me on the edge of my seat! And you know what else, just about all the books he has ever written that were adapted in to movies, well I have to say were just plain better in book form then they were in movie form!

And when I discovered that he passed away, and that there wouldn't be anymore novels, well I have to say that it was pretty heart breaking!

And speaking of movies that were adapted from his books being not as good as the books 'Congo' (1980) was a sterling example of this!

Not like his other page turners... But still a fun book!

You see this book tells the story of how when an exploratory mission is sent out in to the Congo, and ends ups being massacred by a group of weird looking Gorillas... Another mission is sent out to investigate what happened to the first expedition, and to continue there original expedition!

Now as I mentioned above, the book is certainly better then the movie... I mean I maybe one of the 5 or 6 people on Earth that actually liked the big screen adaption, but the book I do have to admit was a lot more fun... Now the only thing is that this one for me was not like, 'Jurassic Park' (1990), or even, 'The Lost World' (1995)... But still... It was enough to keep me interested!
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Sphere (1987) - Michael Crichton - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park)... When I was a kid, this author was the guy that every one read his books... I mean I think I saw Jurassic Park the movie the day that it came out back in the early 1990s, and I think by 1994 I had managed to read most of his truly classic works!

So when I heard that he had passed away and that there would not be any new novels that he would be releasing, well to say the least I was non plussed... But there was one particular novel that I had read around 1998 - 1999 that I had read after seeing the movie that not only did I find was not only one of my favorite novels that he has done, but was also one of my favorite novels that I have ever read!

This novel told the story of how after a crashed Alien craft is discovered at the bottom of the ocean, a group of researchers are sent down not only to research the craft but the spherical ball of what appears to be energy, with some truly  gripping consequence!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="295"] A classic scene from the movie, 'Sphere'... A movie that is based off the Michael Crichton novel of the same name.[/caption]

Now I will be honest and say that I am a huge fan of the Alien side, and the some times underwater side of Science Fiction, and this had it both.

The story for this novel was just a total blast, with a lot of well done character development... And frankly I found that he just really drove you in to the story real nicely!

Jurassic Park (1990) - Michael Crichton - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Jurassic Park... Man I still remember  being a kid and going to see that movie on the big screen and just being totally spellbound by this truly spectacular movie... I mean besides the fact that this movie had some truly groundbreaking special effects, and talent that I still think can rival most if not beat out most modern day talent, this movie also had an incredible story that kept me and all of my friends just completely enchanted!

But you know what? I hate to say it... But like most great movies based on the book, this book was assuredly better then the movie... But just barely!

You see the book's story line is essentially the same as the movie, after some strange incidents that happened off the coast of Costa Rica, a group of people are hired by, 'John Hammond' (a filthy rich, yet some what eccentric and old billionaire, 'theme park' tycoon who has decided to build the ultimate theme park... One that gives the person going to the theme park a once in a life time chance to see a real life Dinosaur face to face!

[caption id="attachment_1775" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A scene with, 'Sam Neill' who played, 'Dr. Alan Grant' in the big screen adaption of, 'Jurassic Park'![/caption]

And at first everything seems to be going alright, but of course that is until one of the people who works at Jurassic Park shuts down the park temporarily... (A little bit of espionage for a well rounded weekend...) The only problem is, is that these consultants will start to have issues with giving them a good grade when they are fleeing for their lives from the main attraction!

Now you know I mentioned that the book was better then the movie... well just barely... I don't want to give away to much but the book has more suspense to it, more thrills, more chills, and it was for me, and you may find the same thing,  that this book was a hard one to put down!

So, if you get a chance, check it out, I think that you might find that you might like it... I mean hell, if you liked the movie then I suspect that you might love the book as well!