The Film
In 2015, Pixar introduced us to one of the studio's most thought-provoking films to date. Inside Out tickled every single emotion, included an all-star voice cast, and was just a stellar piece of filmmaking. It has already collected several awards, has two Oscar nominations, and currently holds a 98-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Then, the studio sort of snuck in The Good Dinosaur at the end of the year. We're not used to Pixar releasing two films in one year and it certainly didn't receive the typical Pixar fanfare. It's entertaining and extremely cute, but doesn't exactly pack the same emotional punch as some of Pixar's previous endeavors.
The Good Dinosaur shows us what life would be like if dinosaurs stuck around -- or something like that. I'm not exactly sure what the year is supposed to be, but the story focuses on a little dinosaur family. More specifically, it focuses on the littlest dinosaur of the family, who is named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa).
While trying to prove his worth, Arlo ends up lost, but not alone. He makes a human friend, a feral boy, who Arlo calls "Spot" (Jack Bright). The two travel the gorgeous and often dangerous landscape, looking for home. In the process, Arlo confronts some of his fears and learns how he can make his mark, like the bigger members of his family.
The release of this movie marked the first time that Pixar ever released two films in the same year. That may not be such a great thing, though. After the emotional rollercoaster that was Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur seemed good, but not great. The studio has spoiled us! That said, The Good Dinosaur is certainly a cute little movie that the entire family should enjoy.
Want a bigger take on this little movie? Check out Matthew Passantino's theatrical review of The Good Dinosaur.
The Picture
This is Pixar, people; of course, The Good Dinosaur has a stunning Blu-ray. I didn't receive the 3D Combo Pack for review, but the 2.39:1 image on the 2D version is crisp, clear, and dazzles from every possible angle. It doesn't have the same crazy color palette like Inside Out, but it's still bursting with bright, gorgeous imagery. The skies are unbelievably blue, the sunlight gives off a gorgeous yellow glow, and the scenery is filled with various greens, golds, and grays. Those greens are everywhere too, from the lush grass to the scaly dinosaurs. The detail is definitely the standout here, from the skin and scales of the dinosaurs and the texture of the rocks to Spot's shaggy hair and freckles. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this image. It's another winner for the Disney/Pixar team.
The Sound
Be aware that this disc defaults to the DTS-HD HR 5.1 track. That's an important piece of info, since there is also a wonderfully entertaining DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix you need to check out. It's a really active track, which uses the entire soundfield for a good portion of the film's 94-minute runtime. There's always something going on, whether it's fireflies, dinosaur footsteps, wind, stampeding longhorns, or just the film's engaging score. There are several standout moments though, including multiple storms and the moment where Arlo is washed away. The latter in particular is a really immersive moment, making you feel like you're surrounded by rushing water. The storm that Arlo encounters with Spot is also particularly jarring. (It made my dog jump up from her bed!) Even through all of that activity though, every word of the dialogue comes through crystal clear. The audio is a perfect match to the movie's perfect image.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
The Good Dinosaur is a cute, entertaining flick that the entire family will enjoy. It's definitely not Pixar's best. It's not even Pixar's best of 2015. Heck, it's not even the best dinosaur movie of 2015. However, The Good Dinosaur is a great Blu-ray, with gorgeous video, engaging audio, and a great crop of extras. Enjoy.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
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