Carnosaur films
Encyclopedia
The Carnosaur film series are a series of four b-movies produced by Roger Corman
that feature genetically engineered dinosaurs running amok in various scenarios. The series started with the first Carnosaur film, released in 1993, that was loosely based on a novel
by John Brosnan
but was more similar to the Jurassic Park
film which was based on the novel by Michael Crichton
. The first sequel, Carnosaur 2, followed in 1995, while the second and third films were released directly to DVD in 1996 and 2001, respectively. The first three films were released to Region 1 DVD
on February 6, 2001 as the "Carnosaur Collector's Set".
's 1984 novel, Carnosaur
, the film stars Diane Ladd
as mad scientist
Jane Tiptree who genetically engineers dinosaurs so they can take over the world. It reportedly grossed $1,753,979, despite a limited theatrical release.
, Carnosaur 2 was released to theaters on February 23, 1995. Starring John Savage
and Cliff De Young, the film features a group of technicians called in to investigate the power shortage at a top-secret mining facility, only to discover it is actually a remote nuclear dump site where the government transported the dinosaurs from the first film. The dinosaurs got out of their holding area and ate the scientists, and now the technicians must try to survive while avoiding a radiation leak and trying to keep the dinosaurs from escaping the facility. The film was released to DVD on April 18, 2000. The Deinonychus was replaced by the Velociraptor
in this film and later on.
and Janet Gunn
, the film has a military team attempting to recover genetically engineered dinosaurs accidentally released by international terrorists who hijacked a cargo ship; where the dinosaurs are contained.
on November 6, 2001, Raptor was directed by Jim Wynorski
. Using recycled footage from the previous three films as well as some new footage filmed in Agua Dulce, California
's Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, the film focuses on a small town sheriff (Eric Roberts
) and an animal control officer (Melissa Brasselle) investigating a series of deaths by genetically engineered dinosaur
s that escape from a nearby laboratory (mainly Velociraptors), while also dealing with their creator Dr. Hyde (Corbin Bernsen
).
, Tony Todd
and Dee Wallace. The plot revolves around a group of terrorists who accidentally release a cloned Tyrannosaurus
onto the streets of Los Angeles.
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
that feature genetically engineered dinosaurs running amok in various scenarios. The series started with the first Carnosaur film, released in 1993, that was loosely based on a novel
Carnosaur (novel)
Carnosaur is a horror novel written by Australian author John Brosnan, under the pseudonym of Harry Adam Knight. A film adaptation was made in 1993 by Adam Simon....
by John Brosnan
John Brosnan
John Raymond Brosnan was an Australian writer of both fiction and non-fiction works based around the fantasy and science fiction genres. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, and died in South Harrow, London, from acute pancreatitis...
but was more similar to the Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
film which was based on the novel by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton
John Michael Crichton , best known as Michael Crichton, was an American best-selling author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted...
. The first sequel, Carnosaur 2, followed in 1995, while the second and third films were released directly to DVD in 1996 and 2001, respectively. The first three films were released to Region 1 DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on February 6, 2001 as the "Carnosaur Collector's Set".
Carnosaur
The first film in the series, Carnosaur was released to theaters on May 14, 1993. Loosely based on the John BrosnanJohn Brosnan
John Raymond Brosnan was an Australian writer of both fiction and non-fiction works based around the fantasy and science fiction genres. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, and died in South Harrow, London, from acute pancreatitis...
's 1984 novel, Carnosaur
Carnosaur (novel)
Carnosaur is a horror novel written by Australian author John Brosnan, under the pseudonym of Harry Adam Knight. A film adaptation was made in 1993 by Adam Simon....
, the film stars Diane Ladd
Diane Ladd
Diane Ladd is an American actress, film director, producer and published author. She has appeared in over 120 roles, on television, and in miniseries and feature films, including Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore , Wild at Heart , Rambling Rose , Ghosts of Mississippi, Primary Colors, 28 Days , and...
as mad scientist
Mad scientist
A mad scientist is a stock character of popular fiction, specifically science fiction. The mad scientist may be villainous or antagonistic, benign or neutral, and whether insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists often work with fictional technology in order to forward their schemes, if...
Jane Tiptree who genetically engineers dinosaurs so they can take over the world. It reportedly grossed $1,753,979, despite a limited theatrical release.
Carnosaur 2
Directed by Louis Morneau and written by Michael PalmerMichael Palmer
Michael Palmer is an American poet and translator. He attended Harvard University where he earned a BA in French and a MA in Comparative Literature. He has worked extensively with Contemporary dance for over thirty years and has collaborated with many composers and visual artists...
, Carnosaur 2 was released to theaters on February 23, 1995. Starring John Savage
John Savage (actor)
John Savage is an American film actor, producer, production manager, and composer.- Acting career :...
and Cliff De Young, the film features a group of technicians called in to investigate the power shortage at a top-secret mining facility, only to discover it is actually a remote nuclear dump site where the government transported the dinosaurs from the first film. The dinosaurs got out of their holding area and ate the scientists, and now the technicians must try to survive while avoiding a radiation leak and trying to keep the dinosaurs from escaping the facility. The film was released to DVD on April 18, 2000. The Deinonychus was replaced by the Velociraptor
Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The type species is V. mongoliensis; fossils...
in this film and later on.
Carnosaur 3: Primal Species
Released to video on December 17, 1996, Carnosaur 3: Primal Species was directed by Jonathan Winfrey. Starring Scott ValentineScott Valentine
Scott Eugene Valentine is an American actor.-Life and career:Valentine was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, the son of Beverly Ann and Edward Eugene Valentine. He began to pursue acting one year into his college education, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York...
and Janet Gunn
Janet Gunn
Janet Gunn is an American actress who was born on November 2, 1961, in Fort Worth, Texas.-Biography:Janet Gunn graduated in 1980 from W.E. Boswell High School in Saginaw, Texas where she was active in school dramas and plays. She was also a varsity cheerleader and was elected Homecoming Queen her...
, the film has a military team attempting to recover genetically engineered dinosaurs accidentally released by international terrorists who hijacked a cargo ship; where the dinosaurs are contained.
Raptor
Released direct-to-videoDirect-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
on November 6, 2001, Raptor was directed by Jim Wynorski
Jim Wynorski
Jim Wynorski is an American screenwriter, director, and producer.-Career:Wynorski has been making B-movies and exploitation movies since the early 1980s. He has directed over 75 feature films. His earliest films were released to the theatrical audience and played in movie theaters...
. Using recycled footage from the previous three films as well as some new footage filmed in Agua Dulce, California
Agua Dulce, California
Agua Dulce is a census-designated place located in Los Angeles County, California. It lies at an elevation of 2,526 feet . Agua Dulce is located just north of Santa Clarita. The town has a population of about 4,000. It is located at and covers a geographic area of about...
's Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, the film focuses on a small town sheriff (Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
) and an animal control officer (Melissa Brasselle) investigating a series of deaths by genetically engineered dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s that escape from a nearby laboratory (mainly Velociraptors), while also dealing with their creator Dr. Hyde (Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
).
The Eden Formula
Released direct to video on September 1, 2006, Was directed by John Carl Buechler who did the special effects in the other Carnosaur films. The Eden Formula used recycled footage from the first three films, but also uses its own footage as well. Staring Jeff FaheyJeff Fahey
Jeffrey David "Jeff" Fahey is an American film and television actor. He has portrayed Captain Frank Lapidus on the ABC series Lost and the title role of Deputy Marshal Winston MacBride on The Marshal.-Early life:...
, Tony Todd
Tony Todd
Anthony T. "Tony" Todd is an American actor and movie producer, known for his height of 6'5", and deep voice. He is well known for playing the Candyman in the horror movie franchise of the same name, William Bludworth in Final Destination and for guest starring roles on numerous television...
and Dee Wallace. The plot revolves around a group of terrorists who accidentally release a cloned Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
onto the streets of Los Angeles.