Hollywood's Three-Act Structure in Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is an example of the use of Hollywood’s three-act structure in films.  There are two plot points that present mini climaxes and propel action into the following acts as well as a climax that provides a resolution to the main characters’ problems.

The first plot point occurs toward the beginning of the movie when the paleontologists/scientists are introduced to the dinosaurs that Dr. Hammond has created.  They realize that his vision was no joke and these animals are real.  Malcom, the crazy thinker of the bunch, sees that nature can evolve itself to reproduce and take control, leaving the audience to question if Dr. Hammond and his staff can keep control of his dinosaur park. 

The second point occurs about half way through the movie when the money and power hungry computer programmer, Dennis, attempts to steal some of the DNA used to create the dinosaurs by turning off the power in the park while the other characters are on a tour.  The paleontologists, children, Dr. Hammond, the lawyer and Malcom are left stranded with the dinosaurs lurking about freely, making it questionable as to if they will escape.

The climax occurs very close to the end of the movie when the characters realize they are going to make it out of the park safely after the dinosaurs almost take nature’s course and turn on each other.  This point takes place when the favorite characters are safely on a helicopter and the T-rex fights off the velociraptors and take down the “Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth” sign with his roar.