Blu-Ray Review: Disney Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur
THE SET-UP
Arlo, a young apatosaurus, is separated
from his family and thrust into an unforgiving wilderness. With the
help of a young human, Arlo finds not only the courage he needs to survive,
but possibly a way home. Featuring the voices of Jeffrey Wright and
Frances McDormand.
from his family and thrust into an unforgiving wilderness. With the
help of a young human, Arlo finds not only the courage he needs to survive,
but possibly a way home. Featuring the voices of Jeffrey Wright and
Frances McDormand.
Directed by Peter Sohn.
THE DELIVERY
The Good Dinosaur, the 16th Pixar
feature film to be released, is a “journey of discovery” story
that fuses a wide-eyed sense of wonder with astounding visuals. It is
a bit more serious and emotional than parents might expect, although
Toy Story 3 and Inside Out should have shown us that Pixar doesn’t
pull punches anymore. This isn’t light-hearted fare, and while the
mature themes are a bit closer to Toy Story 3’s tone, that
certainly doesn’t make it a bad film. Indeed, director Peter Sohn
delivers a fanciful tale that is, at times, both funny and
reflective, culminating in an ending with deep emotional heft,
despite the bittersweet taste.
feature film to be released, is a “journey of discovery” story
that fuses a wide-eyed sense of wonder with astounding visuals. It is
a bit more serious and emotional than parents might expect, although
Toy Story 3 and Inside Out should have shown us that Pixar doesn’t
pull punches anymore. This isn’t light-hearted fare, and while the
mature themes are a bit closer to Toy Story 3’s tone, that
certainly doesn’t make it a bad film. Indeed, director Peter Sohn
delivers a fanciful tale that is, at times, both funny and
reflective, culminating in an ending with deep emotional heft,
despite the bittersweet taste.
Set in a world where dinosaurs never
went extinct, the film follows Arlo, a young apatosaurus who is
separated from his family, and needs to find his way home. Along for
the journey is a young human, Spot, who acts like a dog and quickly
becomes Arlo’s best friend.
went extinct, the film follows Arlo, a young apatosaurus who is
separated from his family, and needs to find his way home. Along for
the journey is a young human, Spot, who acts like a dog and quickly
becomes Arlo’s best friend.
If The Good Dinosaur feels familiar,
it’s because the film treads some familiar Disney themes. To really
get into the film and what works (and what doesn’t), it is
necessary to discuss some plot points. I don’t like posting
spoilers, but in this case, it’s necessary.
it’s because the film treads some familiar Disney themes. To really
get into the film and what works (and what doesn’t), it is
necessary to discuss some plot points. I don’t like posting
spoilers, but in this case, it’s necessary.
While The Good Dinosaur presents an
endearing theme on the importance of family, it also gives us the
dreaded “death of the parent” plot device. In past Disney films,
a parent’s death marks a significant turn for the child’s
development (just ask Bambi or Simba). In The Good Dinosaur, however,
the death scene so closely mirrors the death of Mufasa in The Lion
King that it doesn’t feel authentic at all. Ultimately, Arlo grows
up whether or not he loses a parent, as he is left alone in the
wilderness to fend for himself. It seems like a needless loss and
just more sadness in a film that already seems too serious.
endearing theme on the importance of family, it also gives us the
dreaded “death of the parent” plot device. In past Disney films,
a parent’s death marks a significant turn for the child’s
development (just ask Bambi or Simba). In The Good Dinosaur, however,
the death scene so closely mirrors the death of Mufasa in The Lion
King that it doesn’t feel authentic at all. Ultimately, Arlo grows
up whether or not he loses a parent, as he is left alone in the
wilderness to fend for himself. It seems like a needless loss and
just more sadness in a film that already seems too serious.
Parents should note that a fair amount
of small creatures are killed and eaten in the film, as punchlines to
jokes. Older kids and parents will find it funny, but young children
likely won’t take it well. There’s a lot of danger and peril in
the film that will make youngsters uncomfortable, and despite the use
of humor to provide some balance, the tone is often far too serious
for kids under eight years old.
of small creatures are killed and eaten in the film, as punchlines to
jokes. Older kids and parents will find it funny, but young children
likely won’t take it well. There’s a lot of danger and peril in
the film that will make youngsters uncomfortable, and despite the use
of humor to provide some balance, the tone is often far too serious
for kids under eight years old.
As the story develops, and the
Arlo/Spot relationship strengthens, the film picks up steam. There
are some really touching scenes in the film’s second half, and some
nice humor, thanks in large part to a group of T-Rex ranchers led by
Butch (voiced by the incredible Sam Elliott). While the film ends on
a positive note, an inevitable separation (delivered with shades of
The Jungle Book) makes it bittersweet.
Arlo/Spot relationship strengthens, the film picks up steam. There
are some really touching scenes in the film’s second half, and some
nice humor, thanks in large part to a group of T-Rex ranchers led by
Butch (voiced by the incredible Sam Elliott). While the film ends on
a positive note, an inevitable separation (delivered with shades of
The Jungle Book) makes it bittersweet.
While The Good Dinosaur is a beautiful
film to watch, and largely entertaining, its uneven tone keeps it
from being a truly great movie. It will likely be unfairly compared
to Pixar’s classics and judged inferior, but that doesn’t give
Sohn’s film the credit it deserves. This is a tale about loss,
discovery, and growth, told without songs or pratfalls, and it
delivers a positive message of the importance of family with warmth
and an authenticity that few children’s films accomplish.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
Perhaps the film’s greatest strength
is the art direction, which features mountainous vistas based on
actual locales in the northwest. The scenery in the film is
photo-realistic, and is easily among the finest Pixar has ever
achieved technically. It is simply gorgeous to look at, and the high
definition video transfer is fantastic. Colors are deep and
consistent, and the detail is superb.
is the art direction, which features mountainous vistas based on
actual locales in the northwest. The scenery in the film is
photo-realistic, and is easily among the finest Pixar has ever
achieved technically. It is simply gorgeous to look at, and the high
definition video transfer is fantastic. Colors are deep and
consistent, and the detail is superb.
The audio is an impressive 7.1 DTS-HDMA
mix, with outstanding clarity that seamlessly balances Mychael and
Jeff Danna’s score (which is near-perfect, by the way) with the
dialogue. There’s even some impressive bass whenever a T-Rex
appears on-screen.
mix, with outstanding clarity that seamlessly balances Mychael and
Jeff Danna’s score (which is near-perfect, by the way) with the
dialogue. There’s even some impressive bass whenever a T-Rex
appears on-screen.
SPECIAL FEATURES
I’m usually disappointed when new
films are released on Blu-ray, as special features (which I love)
usually are an afterthought. Because the demand is more for the film
itself than for the extras, Studios tend to throw in a featurette and
a trailer as a bonus on a disc and call it a day. Disney/Pixar is a
nice exception, however. For The Good Dinosaur, we get extras as if
this were a catalog title and someone raided the archives. The
special features are as follows:
films are released on Blu-ray, as special features (which I love)
usually are an afterthought. Because the demand is more for the film
itself than for the extras, Studios tend to throw in a featurette and
a trailer as a bonus on a disc and call it a day. Disney/Pixar is a
nice exception, however. For The Good Dinosaur, we get extras as if
this were a catalog title and someone raided the archives. The
special features are as follows:
“Sanjay’s Super Team” animated
short. This short, written and directed by Sanjay Patel (and based on
his childhood experiences) explores a young Indian boy’s
imagination, when his faith and his love of super- heroes collide.
It’s fun and unusual, and unlike the usual Pixar fare. Running
time: 7:07
short. This short, written and directed by Sanjay Patel (and based on
his childhood experiences) explores a young Indian boy’s
imagination, when his faith and his love of super- heroes collide.
It’s fun and unusual, and unlike the usual Pixar fare. Running
time: 7:07
“True Lies About Dinosaurs”
featurette. This featurette separates the facts from the
fictionalized world of The Good Dinosaur. A nice little educational
primer for the kiddos. Running time: 1:56.
featurette. This featurette separates the facts from the
fictionalized world of The Good Dinosaur. A nice little educational
primer for the kiddos. Running time: 1:56.
“Recyclosaurus” featurette. This
look inside the Pixar Studios highlights a company-wide competition
in which employees created dinosaurs using recycled items from the
company’s “free stuff” table. Featurettes like this one, which
provide a rare look inside the Pixar studio, are among my favorite
extras. Sue me, I like peeking behind the curtain. Running time:
6:19.
look inside the Pixar Studios highlights a company-wide competition
in which employees created dinosaurs using recycled items from the
company’s “free stuff” table. Featurettes like this one, which
provide a rare look inside the Pixar studio, are among my favorite
extras. Sue me, I like peeking behind the curtain. Running time:
6:19.
“The Filmmakers’ Journey”
featurette. First-time director Peter Sohn and various crew members
discuss the challenges they faced in making the film. It’s
surprisingly candid, and a nice look at the making of the film.
Running time: 7:54
featurette. First-time director Peter Sohn and various crew members
discuss the challenges they faced in making the film. It’s
surprisingly candid, and a nice look at the making of the film.
Running time: 7:54
“Every Part of The Dinosaur”
featurette. The animators discuss their approach to bringing the
characters to life. Running time: 6:08
featurette. The animators discuss their approach to bringing the
characters to life. Running time: 6:08
“Following the T-Rex Trail”
featurette. The film’s animators visited a cattle ranch in Oregon
for inspiration and ideas, which were used to give the film’s T-Rex
characters a “rancher” personality. It’s my personal favorite
extra on the disc, as we get to meet the McKay family, who ended up
providing much of the character we see in Butch and the T-Rex family.
Running time: 6:58
featurette. The film’s animators visited a cattle ranch in Oregon
for inspiration and ideas, which were used to give the film’s T-Rex
characters a “rancher” personality. It’s my personal favorite
extra on the disc, as we get to meet the McKay family, who ended up
providing much of the character we see in Butch and the T-Rex family.
Running time: 6:58
Deleted Scenes. Rough animation of
three deleted scenes are included: “The Attack,” “Building the
Silo,” “and “Waiting for Poppa.” An introduction by director
Peter Sohn is included. The scenes themselves are actually very good,
and it’s always interesting to see how a film develops, and why
some scenes drop to the cutting room floor. Running time: 10:41
three deleted scenes are included: “The Attack,” “Building the
Silo,” “and “Waiting for Poppa.” An introduction by director
Peter Sohn is included. The scenes themselves are actually very good,
and it’s always interesting to see how a film develops, and why
some scenes drop to the cutting room floor. Running time: 10:41
“Dino Bites” clips. These short
animated clips featuring various characters were used to promote the
film, and are compiled into one long sequence here. Kids in
particular will enjoy it, with its constant barrage of visual gags.
Running time: 4:15
animated clips featuring various characters were used to promote the
film, and are compiled into one long sequence here. Kids in
particular will enjoy it, with its constant barrage of visual gags.
Running time: 4:15
“Hide and Seek” clip. Another
promotional clip, featuring some some interaction with Arlo, Spot,
and Butch. Running time: 59 seconds
promotional clip, featuring some some interaction with Arlo, Spot,
and Butch. Running time: 59 seconds
“Just Listen” featurette. This clip, an exclusive to Disney Movies Anywhere, explores the soundscape of The Good Dinosaur, from the score to the sound effects to the voice actors. It’s an excellent watch. Running time: 6:14
Trailers. Three trailers are included:
“Moment,” North American Trailer #2; “Courage,” a Russian
trailer; and “Different,” a German trailer. The international
trailers in particular are a nice treat.
“Moment,” North American Trailer #2; “Courage,” a Russian
trailer; and “Different,” a German trailer. The international
trailers in particular are a nice treat.
Audio Commentary. The audio commentary
is quite good, with director Peter Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey
Mann, animation supervisor Mike Venturini, director of photography
(lighting) Sharon Calahan, and supervising technical director Sanjay
Bakshi all participating. Each provides some nice insight into their
work on the film. The technicalities of creating a CGI animation film
shouldn’t be entertaining, but this group knows how to connect with
viewers, making their recollections worth listening to.
is quite good, with director Peter Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey
Mann, animation supervisor Mike Venturini, director of photography
(lighting) Sharon Calahan, and supervising technical director Sanjay
Bakshi all participating. Each provides some nice insight into their
work on the film. The technicalities of creating a CGI animation film
shouldn’t be entertaining, but this group knows how to connect with
viewers, making their recollections worth listening to.
Digital Copy. A digital version of the
film, accessible through Disney Movies Anywhere, iTunes,, and
Ultraviolet providers like VUDU is included.
film, accessible through Disney Movies Anywhere, iTunes,, and
Ultraviolet providers like VUDU is included.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Good Dinosaur is
big on heart, uneven in tone
big on heart, uneven in tone
There’s a lot to love in The Good
Dinosaur, with some strong family themes and outstanding visuals.
It’s a bit too serious and emotional at times for very young
viewers, so parents should be aware of that. It may not be Pixar’s
best, but it is still head and shoulders above most family fare.
Dinosaur, with some strong family themes and outstanding visuals.
It’s a bit too serious and emotional at times for very young
viewers, so parents should be aware of that. It may not be Pixar’s
best, but it is still head and shoulders above most family fare.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Rating: PG
Running time: 94 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, 5.1 and
2.0 Dolby Digital, 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 5.1
Dolby Digital
2.0 Dolby Digital, 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 5.1
Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, English for the
Hearing Impaired, French, Spanish
Hearing Impaired, French, Spanish
Special Features: “Sanjay’s Super
Team” animated short, “True Lies About Dinosaurs” featurette,
“Recyclosaurus” featurette, “The Filmmakers’ Journey”
featurette, “Every Part of The Dinosaur” featurette, “Following
the T-Rex Trail” featurette, Three Deleted Scenes, “Dino Bites”
clips, “Hide and Seek” animated clip, Three Trailers, Digital
Copy.
Team” animated short, “True Lies About Dinosaurs” featurette,
“Recyclosaurus” featurette, “The Filmmakers’ Journey”
featurette, “Every Part of The Dinosaur” featurette, “Following
the T-Rex Trail” featurette, Three Deleted Scenes, “Dino Bites”
clips, “Hide and Seek” animated clip, Three Trailers, Digital
Copy.
Audio Commentary: With director Peter
Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey Mann, animation supervisor Mike
Venturini, director of photography (lighting) Sharon Calahan, and
supervising technical director Sanjay Bakshi.
Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey Mann, animation supervisor Mike
Venturini, director of photography (lighting) Sharon Calahan, and
supervising technical director Sanjay Bakshi.
Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
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