Paleontologist Reviews Dinosaur Movie Scenes | Vanity Fair
TLDRThe video script features a paleontologist, Mark Loewen, discussing the accuracy of various dinosaur depictions in popular films. He covers iconic movies like 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World', pointing out the misconceptions about T-Rex's vision and hunting abilities, as well as the incorrect portrayal of other dinosaurs such as Dilophosaurus being venomous and Velociraptor's pack behavior. Loewen also addresses the exaggerated sizes and features of dinosaurs like the Stegosaurs and the inaccuracies in 'Land of the Lost'. He appreciates the CGI in 'King Kong' for showing the weight and interaction of large dinosaurs with their environment. The script concludes with a reflection on how 'Fantasia' set an early precedent for dinosaur portrayals, which was later revolutionized by 'Jurassic Park'. Loewen's insights provide both entertainment and education on the topic of dinosaurs in cinema.
Takeaways
- 🦖 The T-Rex had teeth large enough to tear apart almost anything, swallowing chunks whole, including bones.
- 🎥 The sounds depicted in 'Jurassic Park' for dinosaurs like the T-Rex were speculative but intended to be impressive and frightening.
- 👓 Dr. Jack Horner, a real paleontologist, contributed to the film 'Jurassic Park' by suggesting T-Rex had a good sense of smell and was a scavenger, though this is debated.
- 👀 Contrary to some popular beliefs, T-Rex had excellent binocular vision with an overlapping field of view of about 60 degrees, suitable for a predator.
- 🦕 The portrayal of Dilophosaurus in 'Jurassic Park' as venomous is pure speculation, as there's no evidence that any dinosaur had this capability.
- 🌟 In 'Jurassic World', the Velociraptor is depicted larger than scientific findings suggest, and the movie version lacks feathers, which recent discoveries indicate were present.
- 🍃 The plates on the back of Stegosaurus are still a subject of debate, with theories ranging from display to thermal regulation, but likely served as a deterrent to predators.
- 🚫 The depiction of Allosaurus and other large predators cooperating in 'Land of the Lost' is unrealistic, as such animals were likely solitary hunters.
- 🦈 Spinosaurus, once thought to rival T-Rex in size, is now understood to be more aquatic and adapted for a different ecological niche.
- 🧐 The 'King Kong' movie implies 65 million years of evolution for dinosaurs, which is speculative as evolution could have taken many different paths.
- 🎬 The portrayal of dinosaurs in films like 'Fantasia' and 'One Million Years B.C.' has evolved significantly over time, with 'Jurassic Park' marking a pivotal shift towards more scientifically accurate depictions.
Q & A
What is the actual size of a T-Rex tooth?
-The actual size of a T-Rex tooth is quite large, with only a portion of it sticking out of the mouth. The size allowed T-Rex to chew through anything it wanted.
How did T-Rex use its teeth to consume food?
-T-Rex would grab animals, tear them into chunks, and swallow these chunks whole, including bones.
What is Mark Loewen's profession and where does he work?
-Mark Loewen is a paleontologist at the University of Utah and the Natural History Museum of Utah.
What is the role of the resonating chambers and air sacks in T-Rex's anatomy?
-The resonating chambers and air sacks throughout the neck, into the lungs, and throughout the belly of T-Rex were part of the sound board that amplified its roars.
What was Dr. Jack Horner's contribution to the understanding of T-Rex?
-Dr. Jack Horner suggested that the olfactory portion of the T-Rex's brain was relatively larger than in other dinosaurs, leading to theories about its sense of smell and scavenging behavior.
How did T-Rex's vision capabilities compare to modern predators?
-T-Rex had three-dimensional binocular vision with an overlapping field of view of about 60 degrees, better than a hawk, indicating it was a competent hunter.
What is the main issue with the depiction of Dilophosaurus in 'Jurassic Park'?
-The main issue is that Dilophosaurus was depicted as smaller than it actually was, with a venomous ability that is not supported by any evidence, as it did not have hollow teeth.
What is the typical size of a Velociraptor and how does it differ from its depiction in 'Jurassic Park'?
-Velociraptor was smaller than depicted in 'Jurassic Park', and it was actually covered with feathers, which were not shown in the movie.
What is the debate surrounding the plates on the back of Stegosaurus?
-The debate is whether the plates were for display, protection, or thermal regulation. The fact that not all Stegosauruses have plates suggests they were not for thermal regulation.
How accurate is the depiction of Spinosaurus in 'Jurassic Park III'?
-The depiction of Spinosaurus is inaccurate as it was shown as a terrestrial dinosaur capable of defeating T-Rex, whereas recent findings suggest it was more aquatic and adapted to hunting fish.
What is the significance of the CGI in 'King Kong' (2005) for the depiction of long-necked dinosaurs?
-The CGI in 'King Kong' was praised for realistically rendering the weight and muscle of long-necked dinosaurs, showing them interacting with their environment as large animals would.
What is the main issue with the depiction of dinosaurs in 'One Million Years B.C.'?
-The main issue is the incorrect posture and anatomy of the dinosaurs, such as Ceratosaurus, reflecting outdated beliefs about dinosaur behavior and movement.
Outlines
🦖 T-Rex's Powerful Bite and Dinosaur Movie Accuracy
Mark Loewen, a paleontologist, discusses the impressive size and power of the T-Rex's teeth, which allowed it to tear through prey with ease. He also addresses the question of dinosaur sounds, suggesting that while they did make sounds, the portrayal in 'Jurassic Park' is somewhat speculative. Loewen highlights the T-Rex's sophisticated vision and dispels myths about its supposed poor eyesight and reliance on smell. He also critiques the depiction of the Dilophosaurus, noting the lack of evidence for its venomous abilities and the artistic license taken with its size and frill.
🦕 Inaccuracies in Dinosaur Sizes and Behaviors
The paragraph delves into the misrepresentation of various dinosaurs in popular media. It starts by discussing the Stegosaurs, addressing the exaggerated size of their spikes and plates, which are likely used for intimidation rather than thermal regulation. It then moves on to the Velociraptor, pointing out the incorrect pack behavior and lack of feathers. The paragraph also touches upon the Allosaurus, emphasizing its territorial nature and the incorrect depiction of its skin and behavior in 'Land of the Lost.' Lastly, it mentions the Spinosaurus, contrasting its portrayal with current scientific understanding of its aquatic lifestyle and physical features.
🗣️ Dinosaur Vocalizations and Evolutionary Speculation
This section of the script explores the speculative nature of dinosaur behaviors as depicted in films like 'King Kong,' where dinosaurs have supposedly evolved for 65 million years. It appreciates the CGI rendering of long-necked dinosaurs in the film, noting their realistic weight and interaction with the environment. The paragraph also discusses the Therapod, Venatasaurus, and its behavior, which is not typical for its kind. It humorously critiques 'Night at the Museum' for its unrealistic portrayal of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and acknowledges the mix of different time periods and species in 'The Land Before Time.'
🏞️ Evolution of Dinosaur Depictions in Cinema
The final paragraph reflects on the evolution of how dinosaurs are portrayed in cinema. It starts by addressing the inaccuracies in 'One Million Years B.C.,' such as the wrong posture and features of the Ceratosaurus. It then contrasts this with the more dynamic and accurate depictions seen from the 70s and 80s onwards. The paragraph also comments on 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,' appreciating the volcanic eruption scene and the appearance of less common dinosaurs, while noting the inaccuracies in the portrayal of Sinoceratops and Carnotaurus. It concludes with a nod to 'Fantasia' for its foundational role in shaping the iconic image of dinosaurs in film.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Paleontologist
💡T-Rex
💡Binocular Vision
💡Dilophosaurus
💡Velociraptor
💡Stegosaurus
💡Allosaurus
💡Spinosaurus
💡Anthropomorphism
💡Evolution
💡CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery)
Highlights
T-Rex had teeth large enough to chew through anything it wanted, swallowing chunks whole, bone and all.
Mark Loewen, a paleontologist, discusses the inaccuracies in dinosaur movie representations.
The T-Rex's huge resonating chambers and air sacks would have produced a heart-stopping sound.
Dr. Jack Horner's influence on the portrayal of T-Rex as a scavenger with a strong sense of smell in Jurassic Park.
T-Rex had 3D binocular vision with an overlapping field of view of about 60 degrees, more than a hawk.
Dilophosaurus was depicted as smaller and venomous in Jurassic Park, which is not supported by evidence.
The Velociraptor in Jurassic Park was inaccurately portrayed as larger and without feathers.
Stegosaurus was shown with exaggerated features, such as overly large tail spikes and plates.
Allosaurus was inaccurately depicted as having a cooperative behavior with other large predators, which is unlikely.
Spinosaurus was shown as a larger and more aquatic dinosaur than T-Rex, with a different hunting style.
The depiction of dinosaurs in King Kong 2005 allowed for speculation on their behavior due to 65 million years of evolution.
In Night at the Museum, the portrayal of Tyrannosaurus Rex had several anatomical inaccuracies.
The Land Before Time anthropomorphized dinosaurs, creating a charming but scientifically inaccurate portrayal.
One Million Years B.C. depicted dinosaurs with incorrect postures and behaviors based on the scientific knowledge of the time.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom showcased a volcanic eruption and lesser-known dinosaurs, but with some inaccuracies.
Fantasia was one of the first movies to depict dinosaurs in their ecosystems, despite some inaccuracies.
The Jurassic Park franchise significantly changed the way dinosaurs are portrayed in media.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
Palaeontologist Reacts To Jurassic Park Dinosaurs
Palaeontologist Thomas Halliday breaks down dinosaur films
Scientific Issues: Jurassic Park - Part 1
Scientific Issues: Jurassic Park - Part 2
Paleontologist Rates 10 Dinosaur Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider
Webinar: Dissecting Jurassic Park’s Dinos
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: