Marval Movie

We start at the beginning, at least sixty-five million years ago where that asteroid that wiped-out the dinosaurs, merely soared past the earth. So now, a few million years later the dinosaurs just kept evolving and became intelligent, talking creatures. Then, like David Copperfield, our main character is born (or hatched might be the more accurate word). Our main character is a Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) the youngest of three in a family of Apatosaurus. They are farmers, that work the land, everyone has their specialty, except for him that is timid and lacks motivation.

During these opening moments it feels like forced, or at least, half-hearted whimsy. There is a lack of conviction, I feel its in there performances. There is "adorable moments" then the parent go "aw" or laugh but they don't seem like genuine laughs.

But what is never at any point lack-luster is the image quality. Everything is so well textured and realized. The wildlife of the plants is so convincing that you believe that you could touch them, to the way the light shines on and even through them at some times. From a characters scrapes, to them breathing is all expertly animated, having a cartoon quality but never loosing that believable, solid look.

This is the most simplified and cartoon'y looking I have ever seen a big-budget, C.G.I. animated movie display dinosaurs. All the sharp edges to their character designs are gone and (evolution apparently) have been smoothed down to look like something out children's book (well this is a kids movie).

Eventually Arlo becomes separated from his family farm and must find his way back. As a traveling companion is a small human that he names Spot (Jack Bright). Apparently human beings still get to evolve but they have only reached the level of animal instincts and dog-like behavior. Spot is a character that has no obrolan aside from the occasional grunts and what-not, but speaks through body-language and expressions.

It feels odd getting another Pixar movie so soon after Inside Out, this is not a good a movie as that. The studio had to hold back on releasing other movies because they needed to re-work them so they could bring the quality back up, so they release this movie within a few months of the last one?

This movie also has some dark, demented comedy. With moments that are gory and (at least I would say) too graphic for really little children. For example there is a moment where Spot puts a giant, living bug in-front of Arlo, he doesn't want to eat it so Spot rips it's head off with a bite. Another is when they encounter raptors, that seem to resemble meth-heads. Having comedy that appeals to both children and adults is wonderful, but these kinds of jokes are out-of-place anyway let alone being in a movie with a more colorful and simplified design seems wrong.

There are a few moments that conjure up other moments from other animated movies. Movies like Up, The Lion King, The Croods and probably most prominent The Land Before Time (not just because of the dinosaurs).

There are great moments in this movie, truly inspiriting beautiful ones. But it's the moments between those that are shaky and let the rest of the movie down. But still, great moments are still great and they alone can be uplifting to an audience member. I would say that children eight or over should go and see it to grasp at some of the bigger things and themes in the movie, there is still enough to keep nearly everybody entertained through laughs and tears.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 4

Sanjay's Super  Team Review 
The opening short is one that blends different animation styles and introduces a different culture to the predominately white medium of the animation world. It has great intention and humbly executes them, even more impressively considering the lack of dialog.

Rating: 3 stars out of 4