The story takes place on a remote island, Isla Nublar, located off the coast of Costa Rica. The island is home to a theme park featuring cloned dinosaurs, created by a wealthy entrepreneur, John Hammond (played by Richard Attenborough). A group of scientists, including Dr. Alan Grant (played by Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (played by Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum), are invited to the park for a preview before it opens to the public.