The Good Dinosaur Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A scaredy-cat dinosaur adopts a feral human puppy, fights some bird villains, then gives the human away to his real human family like a lost kitten.

🍿 The Good Dinosaur: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Alternate Timeline

The film presents a world where the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs missed Earth, allowing them to evolve. Millions of years later, Apatosaurus farmers Henry and Ida raise their three children: Libby, Buck, and the timid Arlo.

Arlo’s Fear and Loss

Arlo struggles with his fear and inability to complete tasks. His father tries to give him purpose by tasking him with guarding their silo. When Arlo captures a feral human child, he can’t bring himself to kill him. While tracking the child, a flash flood occurs, tragically killing Arlo’s father as he saves Arlo.

Lost and Befriended

Blaming the human child for his father’s death, Arlo chases him, leading both to fall into a river. Arlo wakes up far from home. The human child, whom Arlo names Spot, helps him survive. The two form an unlikely bond as they journey together, learning to rely on each other in the harsh wilderness.

Dangerous Encounters

During their journey, Arlo and Spot encounter various dangers, including carnivorous Pterodactyls led by Thunderclap. They are saved by a family of T-Rexes – Butch, Nash, and Ramsey – who are herding longhorns. The T-Rexes agree to help Arlo and Spot find their way home if they assist in recovering their lost herd from rustling Velociraptors. After a perilous encounter with the Velociraptors, Arlo displays his courage, impressing Butch and earning their respect.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arlo (Raymond Ochoa): A timid young Apatosaurus who learns to overcome his fears and find his courage while trying to return home.
• Spot (Jack Bright): A feral human child who befriends Arlo and helps him on his journey, displaying bravery and resourcefulness.
• Poppa (Jeffrey Wright): Arlo’s supportive father who tries to help him overcome his fears and find his purpose, but tragically dies in a flood.
• Momma (Frances McDormand): Arlo’s nurturing mother who struggles to keep the family farm going after the loss of her husband.
• Butch (Sam Elliott): A tough and experienced Tyrannosaurus Rex rancher who helps Arlo and Spot on their journey, teaching them about courage.
• Thunderclap (Steve Zahn): The leader of a menacing group of pterodactyls who pose a threat to Arlo and Spot with their predatory nature.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Poppa: “Sometimes you got to get through your fear to see the beauty on the other side.” – Poppa says this to Arlo, trying to encourage him to overcome his fears.
• Butch: “If you ain’t scared, you ain’t alive.” – Butch explains this to Arlo when talking about fear in a survival situation.
• Arlo: “I’m done being scared.” – Arlo says this when he finally faces his fears to save Spot.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $123,087,120
• Worldwide Gross: $332,207,671

💥 The Good Dinosaur Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I saw ‘The Good Dinosaur’ with my little cousin, and I have mixed feelings. Visually, it’s incredible, some of the landscapes look real! But the story? It’s cute, but pretty basic. I really loved Spot, though, he’s like a little savage puppy. There are a few scenes that got me in the feels (the dad’s death scene!), and I teared up at the end. The message about conquering fear is good, but overall it felt like a standard Disney movie, not a Pixar game-changer. I would still recommend it for a family movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of animated adventure films”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming story”
  • “Viewers interested in dinosaur-themed movies”
  • “Individuals who enjoy stories about overcoming fear and finding courage”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes of peril and intense action”
  • “Animal attacks”
  • “The death of a parent”
  • “Flash flood sequences that may be frightening for young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While visually stunning, ‘The Good Dinosaur’ struggles with a derivative plot and lacks the emotional depth that usually defines Pixar’s best work. The photorealistic landscapes overshadow the underdeveloped characters.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Beautifully animated but dramatically underwhelming, ‘The Good Dinosaur’ feels like a minor entry in the Pixar canon. The film delivers a simple, predictable story with little of the sophisticated humor Pixar is known for.
• Empire: “‘The Good Dinosaur’ offers breathtaking visuals and a heartwarming tale of friendship, but its familiar narrative and lack of innovative storytelling prevent it from reaching the heights of Pixar’s masterpieces. Still an enjoyable family film.

Audience Reactions

The realistic landscapes were mind-blowing, especially the water effects!: Many viewers were captivated by the movie’s stunning visuals.

Spot was the best character, so adorable and fierce!: Audiences loved the unique bond between Arlo and the feral human child.

Overall Consensus: Visually impressive but narratively predictable, ‘The Good Dinosaur’ is a decent family film but falls short of Pixar’s usual groundbreaking standards.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film underwent significant production challenges, including a change in directors and a complete overhaul of the storyline during its development.”
• “Arlo’s movements and mannerisms were inspired by those of young elephants, aiming to capture a sense of awkwardness and vulnerability.”
• “The landscapes in ‘The Good Dinosaur’ are based on real locations in the American Northwest, particularly Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon. The filmmakers used USGS data to create accurate terrains.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Good Dinosaur?

The Good Dinosaur is available for streaming on Disney+. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Good Dinosaur, you might like these similar films:

• The Land Before Time (1988): Features a young dinosaur separated from his family, embarking on a journey through a prehistoric landscape.
• Brother Bear (2003): Deals with themes of brotherhood, nature, and transformation through the lens of animals and ancient cultures.
• Ice Age (2002): Features a mismatched group of prehistoric animals working together to return a human baby to its tribe.
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Explores an unlikely friendship between a human and a feared creature, leading to understanding and acceptance.

🛒 The Good Dinosaur Related Products

• The Art of The Good Dinosaur: A beautifully illustrated book showcasing the concept art, character designs, and behind-the-scenes development of ‘The Good Dinosaur’. A must-have for animation enthusiasts.
• Disney Pixar The Good Dinosaur Arlo Plush – Medium – 16 Inch: Official Arlo plush doll. A cuddly companion that brings the film’s gentle giant to life, complete with detailed stitching and soft, huggable material, perfect for children.
• LEGO Jurassic World Dominion Giganotosaurus & Therizinosaurus Attack 76949 Dinosaur Toy Building Kit: While not directly from the movie, this set enables your child to create their own Dinosaur adventures!
• The Good Dinosaur (Original Score): Complete original motion picture soundtrack by Mychael Danna. The musical score of the film features themes of adventure, nature, and family.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Good Dinosaur features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Homeward” – performed by Mychael Danna
• “Run With You” – performed by Mychael Danna
• “Bestest Friends” – performed by Mychael Danna

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Good Dinosaur Stop-Motion Trailer

Check out this impressive fan-made stop-motion recreation of the Good Dinosaur trailer! It’s a testament to the movie’s visuals and the creativity of its fans.

Everything GREAT About The Good Dinosaur!

If you liked The Good Dinosaur, you’ll appreciate this video that delves into its strengths and defends it against criticism. It’s a well-argued analysis that offers a different perspective on the film.

The Good Dinosaur Deleted Scene – Hide and Seek (2015)

Curious about what didn’t make it into the final cut of The Good Dinosaur? This deleted scene offers a glimpse into an alternative storyline and provides more depth to the characters.

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