Henry (Wright) and Ida (McDormand) are farming Apatosauruses, with three children: smart Libby (Padilla), strong Buck (Scribner) and runt Arlo (Ochoa). Each has a job on the farm that uses their special skills. Arlo is afraid of everything and has a hard time completing his job, so Poppa gives him a special job: guard the feed from critters. The feed is repeatedly stolen by a feral child, but Arlo refuses to kill him. When he and Henry go to stop the boy, his father is killed by a storm.
Arlo is angry and goes after the boy, but both end up in the river and swept away from home. He and the boy, who he names Spot (Bright), are forced to work together to find survive. With a pack of bloodthirsty pterodactyls chasing them and danger around every bend, can they find their way home?
The 16th Pixar Animated film imagines a world where dinosaurs rule the world. The film was first imagined in 2009 by director Peter Sohn and Bob Peterson and was planned to premiere in 2013. However difficulties with the script, and changes to the cast, moved back the release to 2015. This was Pixar's second release in 2015, and unfortunately, this film was overshadowed by the other film: Inside Out.
The premise is good and the story is compelling (although it does take a bit to get into). The Apatosaurus family feels realistic (sibling rivalry etc), but the focus is on young Arlo's journey. Arlo is an endearing character that you fall in love with from his first moments on screen. His literal and personal journey is emotional and filled with colorful characters. Steve Zahn's Thunderclap, and the other Pterodactyls, skirt the line of sanity. The Velociraptors are creepy and the Tyrannosauruses are intimidating. Plus all the little critters are quirky and entertaining. And despite only speaking a few works and grunts, the character of Spot conveys so much emotion.
The DVD includes the short Sanjay's Super Team, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short.
It is an endearing little film that will probably always be overshadowed by other films in Pixar's cannon. It isn't the best of the bunch, but it isn't the worst either, it sits comfortably toward the middle. Hopefully with time more people will find and love this film.
The Good Dinosaur (2015) 93 minutes
Director: Peter Sohn
Starring: Raymond Ochoa as Arlo
Jack Bright as Spot
Sam Elliott as Butch
Anna Paquin as Ramsey
A.J. Buckley as Nash
Jeffrey Wright as Poppa Henry
Frances McDormand as Momma Ida
Steve Zahn as Thunderclap
Marcus Scribner as Buck
Maleah Padilla as Libby
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