I am rather surprised you liked the 2nd a tad more than the first.

Well, the first movie is great with the exception of that first hour. I just have never been able to get over that hump. If they had given me just a couple of big moments within the first hour, I would easily choose JP1 over JP2. I think I respond better to JP2 because there is no lull for me. And yes, this was clearly meant to capitalize on Dino fever and go for the quick cash.

I'm pretty sure you've read The Lost World. I know that there are some major omissions from book to screen and a resurrection of a certain main character, etc.... But what can you tell me regarding why, as popular and revered as the book is, that they (screenwriters, Spielberg) wouldn't use the source material and instead create something different all together?