Jurassic Park trilogy gets Blu-ray upgrade

Steven Spielberg's 1993 modern-day dinosaur epic gets a Blu-ray upgrade (along with its sequels), leading these movies released on home video this week.

"Jurassic Park: Ultimate Trilogy" (Universal/Blu-ray, 1993-2001, PG-13, $79.98). Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel is still a stunning film, all the more so for its special effects rejiggered in high definition. (Of course, Blu-ray also enhances the film's flaws, and when that little girl screams a bit too often in upgraded surround sound, ouch!)

The well-known story has gazillionaire Richard Attenborough bringing scientists Sam Neill and Laura Dern, and mathematician Jeff Goldblum, among others (including two kids) to a remote island where he has cloned dinosaurs. And the computer-generated creatures remain breathtaking. Then, of course, Murphy's Law kicks in and chaos ensues. Thrills and chills and lots of funny wisecracks from Goldblum make this a terrific roller coaster ride.

The first sequel, "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," is also directed by Spielberg but it's far more mechanical. It also ups the gore quotient and delves into the "King Kong"/"Godzilla" formula, with Goldblum (still with the best lines), Julianne Moore and Vince Vaughn on hand. There are thrills but it's weak in the story department.

But the second sequel, titled simply "Jurassic Park III" and delivered at a trim 93 minutes, is a solid thrill ride in its own right, directed with a sure hand by Joe Johnston ("October Sky," "Hidalgo"). Sam Neill is lured back to the island (along with Tea Leoni and William H. Macy) and he's in trouble again, but this one is wittier and smoother than Spielberg's sequel.

Extras: widescreen, three films, Blu-ray and digital versions, deleted scenes, featurettes, photo/art galleries, trailers (also available in a limited-edition gift set boxed as a crate with a T-rex statue, $119.98)

"Captain America: The First Avenger" (Paramount/3-D Blu-ray, 2011, PG-13, three discs, $54.99). After faltering with a truly awful remake of "The Wolf Man," "Jurassic Park III's" director Joe Johnston bounced back with this Marvel comic tale — which was, for my money, the best of the summer's pack of superhero yarns.

Perfectly cast Chris Evans gets the tone just right, never falling into parody the way Seth Rogen did in "The Green Hornet" and, to a lesser degree, Ryan Reynolds in "Green Lantern." (Maybe the color green has something to do with it.)