Compared to JURASSIC PARK, this sequel is disappointing as it lacks the "wonder" of the dinosaurs from the first movie. It also features two of the most irritating characters on film, Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm and Julianne Moore as love interest Sarah Harding. There's also Vince Vaughn as a photographer/animal activist and Arliss Howard as the evil Corporate guy who gets what he deserves.
My biggest gripe is that, influenced by upcoming release of the American version of GODZILLA (granted, THE LOST WORLD was released ten months earlier but the Godzilla production was already underway. It's no coincidence--Spielberg and crew knew they were going to beat the Godzilla release date and so decided to get their dinosaur rampaging across America first), they decided to have the T-Rex rampaging through San Diego, (complete with a shot of some Asians running away in fear)which at that point seemed like an entirely different movie from the first hour and a half.
Of course, the Michael Crichton book is far superior and features a wider variety of dinosaurs. I would say this is Spielberg's weakest movie (Oh, I almost forgot about HOOK).