I wasn’t overly excited about this latest Pixar offering. I’d seen the trailers and thought it was a little off-putting to have a cartoony dinosaur dancing around some very photo-real landscapes. Watching the movie, though, it was the furthest thing from my 
mind. The animation is stunning. I particularly loved the bits with water, the reflective surfaces sparkling in the sun. It was gorgeous.
But there’s a great little story that goes along with it, about a boy and his dog, Spot. Except the boy is a longneck dinosaur named Arlo, and the dog is in fact a boy, named Spot. This movie is set in a make believe time when the dinosaurs never went extinct so they’re living at the same time as humans. Little Arlo is living peaceably on the family farm (I LOVED to see dinosaurs discover agriculture) with his parents and siblings when a “critter” starts raiding their food 
stores. Spot is a mangy, hungry, feral critter, and the two are at odds until the script conspires to cast them off on an adventure together.
The movie had me both belly-laughing and fat-tear crying within its first 20 minutes. Neither the tears nor the laughs let up, either. It’s a fairly simple story with a lot of Pixar heart. It’s quiet for long stretches (the dinosaurs talk; humans do not) but the characters are so facially expressive and nuanced, you don’t miss it. And every scene they walk through is a painting, with depth of field and detail enough to keep your hungry eyes constantly eating up the scenery (we saw it in 3D).
This movie is probably more relatable to younger kids than Inside Out was, but there are some mature themes here as well. Arlo and 
Spot live in nature, which is both cruel and kind. The potential for harm is more present in this movie than in other children’s fare, and they don’t shy away from death and grief either.
Sean was a little less moved by the film than I was (which, I suppose, is always the case) but I felt quite emotionally connected to it. Maybe it’s because Spot reminded me a lot of my little nephew Jack, both in looks and in temperament (Jack’s Papa calls him ‘Joe Pesci’, completely endearingly, for his wildman ways, though Jack is not yet 2). And maybe it’s because of the very simple but very moving and dignified way they deal with loss. At any rate, I’d say it’s a welcome addition to the Pixar family and a worthy way to spend your time and money at the cinema. I wish I could get in there and tweak the ending just a smidge (let me know how you felt about it), but overall I walked out with puffy eyes but a singing heart.
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Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I’ve been so skeptical about The Good Dinosaur since the very first trailer but your review has given me hope 🙂
– Allie
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I felt skeptical too and didn’t have big expectations going in. I thought it was suspicious how little hype there was.
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Not always the biggest ‘kids movies’ fan but Pixar do some lovely films and you’ve pretty much sold me on this! Sounds brilliant, great review Jay 🙂
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I was on the fence about this one. I LOVE dinosaurs but the animation style looked a little off and cartoony – like you mentioned. I think I’ll just have to see it now though. You’ve convinced me. Great review!
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We don’t normally do kids’ movies, but you have just convinced me to see this one, Jay! Sometimes crying at a movie is the only way I can let out my dammed up tears… Sounds perfect for a good emptying.
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Think I’ll buy a big box of tissues!
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I cried in at least 3 different places!
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I didn’t think this movie looked very good based on the commercials, and yet now I want to see it. Just knowing the human is the pet alone is better than anything I got from the few commercials I have seen about the movie.
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Yes – I think the marketing has been minimal and ambiguous. I could never catch a whole lot of plotting hints either, so the story was a surprise to me.
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I am not sure if this is better or worse than when I go into a movie knowing everything about it.
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I could see the emotional connection you had to this one. You’re right, I didn’t connect that same way. For me, this was an enjoyable movie but I would not put it ahead of Inside Out or my very favourite Pixar movies, like Up, Toy Story, or the Incredibles.
That may be because it feels more like a kids’ movie but you’re right, the Good Dinosaur contains some mature themes and a surprising amount of death (and consequent grief).
So it’s kind of a mixed bag and I think that mix is at the root of why I don’t put it in the same class as Pixar’s best.
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I had heard about the river incident. Fairy tales can always feel cruel (think Bambi) but it is a growing lesson. I was not thinking much about this film until your review and what I watched last night about it so I will probably rent it when it comes out (yes I still rent)
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I’m looking forward to this one! 🙂
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Pixar knows how to make a movie. Even when the story seems like something I won’t like, I end up liking the movie. Strange, that. Or brilliant.
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Yeah, I think the only one I didn’t connect with at all is Cars.
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This looks fun/heartbreaking. I’m still debating about watching this or Creed (Or both?). One thing that kind of bugs me about this one is the cartoony character designs contrasted against the beautiful, super-realistic backgrounds. I’m aware it’s a nitpick, though, and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
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We saw both. Sean definitely preferred Creed. He’s a sucker for the nostalgia porn, I think.
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I wasn’t too sure about this one from Pixar either. So your review comes as a breath of fresh air, Jay, and now I do wanna go see it.
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Glad to hear you love this one Jay. I’m not highly anticipating this as I usually do w/ Pixar movies, but I will still rent it.
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My girls are dying to see this and I haven’t read anything about it until now so really glad you enjoyed it as much as you did, because with all animated movies I don’t really have a choice about going or not..we always do:).
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I can’t even decide if this one is more child-like than other Pixar films…it’s definitely a very simple story, but it did have some mature themes.
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I usually watch all of the latest Pixar movies at the cinema but I haven’t made it to this one yet, it sounds like it’s worth the trip!
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