Memorable, inspirational writer/director dies
Tuesday may have been a historic day for American politics, but it was also a very sad day for American writers.
Michael Crichton, a novelist, doctor, TV producer, film director — but most importantly, storyteller — died from cancer. He was 66 years old.
Probably most famous for penning the 1990 novel “Jurassic Park,” which was made into the classic film three years later, Crichton was a visionary science fiction author. In my opinion, he was the Jules Verne of the modern era.
There have been few, if any, stories that are as universally appealing as “Jurassic Park.” Dinosaurs cloned for an amusement park? An extraordinary idea that was executed well.
Crichton was the person who’s most responsible for my biggest passions. Along with “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Crichton’s mutant amusement park gone haywire was my introduction to the magic of cinema.
And discovering the novel, which I first tried to plunge through during my elementary days, was my inspiration to try my own hand at writing.
I still remember sitting down at the family computer and attempting my first novel. It may have not been original, but I think “Cretaceous Park” would have been a winner.
All of this still is kind of shocking. I didn’t know Crichton was sick. I’m almost surprised at how sad I am.
But although Crichton is gone, his work will last forever. And it will continue to inspire generation after generation, just like it inspired me.
Everyone’s going to bite the bullet someday. But because of people like him, and the legacy he left behind, I’ll always have something to shoot for.
The opinions expressed above are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the State News.