When the first details of "The Untitled Pixar Movie About Dinosaurs" were revealed to the general public back in 2011, no one could have expected that barely anything from the original press release for The Good Dinosaur would remain the same. Not only was the film initially scheduled for Thanksgiving 2013 – released the same year as monster hit Monsters University and marking the first time two Pixar films are released in the same year – but it was going to be the first solo directing gig for studio veteran Bob Peterson (he co-directed Up with Pete Docter and has done numerous producing, writing and acting gigs since A Bug's Life) and was going to feature an all-star cast with Bill Hader, Neil Patrick-Harris and John Lithgow. But looking at it now, and all that remains from the re-scheduled picture of what was is screenwriter Meg LaFauve (who impressed audiences earlier this year with Inside Out) and co-star Frances MacDormand, with Peterson replaced by his co-director Peter Sohn (who had success with short film Partly Cloudy and has done numerous voice roles for the studio) and nearly the entire cast recast in a surprise move by the usually strong studio. As a matter of fact, the countless delays on the picture lead to numerous layoffs, including the recently instated Canadian branch, so the question remains: can the storm that is this film's production process provide a good picture in the end for the once-invincible studio?
In a parallel universe where the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs never occurred, things are running a little differently. Set millions of years after that near-hit tragedy, the reptilian race has evolved into being less of a race of simple carnivores and herbivores and have become more intelligent despite their limitations. As such, one family of apatosauruses run their own farm growing corn. Within this family is poor little Arlo (Raymond Ochoa), who since birth has been suffering from an acute case of pantophobia – which for a dinosaur isn't quite recommended. With his siblings already making their mark on the farm with their skills and Arlo's fear causing him issues with proving his worth, his father Henry (Jeffrey Wright) sets to helping and tasks him with capturing the mischievous critter robbing their reserves (which ends up being a small human boy nicknamed Spot, voiced by Jack Bright) leads to an unfortunate incident where Arlo and Spot end up far away from the ranch. As per standard Pixar fodder, the reluctant duo slowly set aside their differences to find their way home – during which they come across the likes of cowboy-esque tyrannosauruses, scheming pterodactyls, and a slightly insane Styracosaurus.
Yep, it is the Finding Nemo approach again – a Pixar formula which usually does come with great success but has rarely come as close to the original (Inside Out came very close this year). However, because of how simpler the story is, by comparison, it does at least make it easy viewing, especially for younger audiences. Granted, its PG rating does mean that not every scene is entirely suitable to leave – what do you expect in a film about dinosaurs? - but thanks to the basic story on hand and strong moral it brings with it makes families feel good by the time the credits roll. Helping with the mild pacing issues are the gags, which start off fairly quickly and are balanced across the place with ease – although children will likely require an explanation as to a somewhat freaky moment involving our two lovable leads and psychedelic berries (I never thought I'd have to say that about a family film) - with the obvious highlight being an extended cameo by director Sohn as the oddball Forrest Woodbush, who collects numerous creatures that he named for his own protection ("This is Dreamcrusher; he protects me from having unrealistic goals"). They aren’t as consistent as one would hope, but each one hits its mark well.
When reviewing Inside Out back in July, I commented on how a lot of the animation design was cartoonish in comparison to some of the more recent recreations produced by the prestigious Pixar. In The Good Dinosaur's case, that issue has been rectified within the confines of the various landscapes and areas that Arlo and Spot explore looking absolutely gorgeous and hard to tell whether or not it was animated or filmed on location, with Sohn's direction opening up to some beautiful shots. And despite the outlandishly cartoon-like designs of the characters themselves which initially caused dismay with the release of the first teaser, they do quickly become more accustomed and accepted on the eye, with some designs such as the aforementioned styracosaurus and the various critters being very well done.
As far as child actors go, especially for voiceover roles, Raymond Ochoa does rather well and is incredibly expressive as our titular Good Dinosaur. The pantophobia aspect of his character is thankfully just as realised as three-dimensional as the emotion-driven characters of Pixar's last hit, and the character growth he follows feels natural, while his human companion of few words does much with his occasional howls and growls – even lending to a heart-wrenching scene between the two in the second act. Arlo's family aren't quite as realised with the exception of the Mufasa-esque Jeffrey Wright, but do still lend themselves to some early bits of comedy and a fine finale. The trio of friendly T-Rexes (voiced by Sam Elliott, Anna Paquin and A.J. Buckley) offer a nice bit of southern twang in likable elongated roles, with the animated movement they make to mimic cowboys on horses being a very nice touch; the pack of velociraptors offers a brief but serious feel of threat as one of the film's antagonists; the pterodactyls are done really well thanks largely to a strong introduction although are hindered a little by a forced return to the fray later on, and Sohn is funny as aforementioned. Of course not every species gets as much time to thrive as some die-hard dino fans would hope – so for variety they'd be better off with Jurassic World – but for a 100-minute picture it's enough.
The Good Dinosaur had a painfully difficult job to do; it not only had to prove that the delays and layoffs were worth it with a strong picture but also had to go up against Inside Out – a film that has Best Picture buzz – and prove that original films were not dead at Pixar (right now Coco in 2017 is the only announced original film on the schedule). Of course, it wasn't going to succeed against these high barriers, but at least you have an animated film which succeeds in entertaining its younger demographic while looking absolutely gorgeous. Never a slog and always keeping you somewhat engaged, The Good Dinosaur is one of Pixar's lesser efforts but still better than some of the more popular family films out there (*cough* Minions *cough*) and can be considered a "relevation" for director Peter Sohn. To quote one character, "the storm provides" something good out of it. 7/10.
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