The Good Dinosaur makes for a great coming-of-age story for the entire family to enjoy.  The latest animated movie by Disney-Pixar was released in theaters Wednesday, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

As publisher of the Sun News and Review, I was invited to preview the movie with my 14-year old son Gregory at the Disney Studios in Burbank, CA.  The Good Dinosaur is a movie for all ages. The folks at Disney-Pixar did an excellent job creating a movie that made parents tear up over the storyline (bring tissues) teenagers fascinated by the animation and young children in awe of loving characters. 

The Good Dinosaur story tells a simple tale of growing up or coming-of-age in a world where dinosaurs never became extinct and humans roam the wild. Pixar Animation Studios takes us on a journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo (voice of Raymond Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend named Spot. Together the two travel through a harsh and mysterious landscape, and Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears. 

Spot is a wild, tough and tenacious human boy who has lived alone in the wilderness for much of his life. He speaks in only grunts and growls, but his strengths are clear: he’s fearless and confident. 

Before meeting Spot, we learn about Arlo and his family.

Arlo was the youngest of three siblings and his parents wanted each child to earn their way in the world.

This is a refreshing take on raising children a far cry from the days where every kid gets a trophy.

Arlo’s parents wanted each of their children to earn and prove their accomplishments. As a parent, it was refreshing to see a plot line where kids are encouraged to work hard at something. It teaches kids to keep trying even if they fail. Throughout the movie we watch Arlo, the Good Dinosaur fall flat on his face many times but never giving up.  Arlo was the runt in the family, the underdog and afraid of everything.  

“From the moment Arlo is born, he’s afraid of the world,” says first-time director Peter Sohn, a 15-year Pixar veteran and graduate of CalArts in a press release. 

The movie is set in the American Northwest. The filmmakers found that the large dinosaurs could feel small in the vast open wilderness, which worked to intensify Arlo’s fears. 

The animation by Disney-Pixar is breathtaking. The scenes look so real you forget you are watching an animated film. Sohn achieved the wide-open look desired by filmmakers utilizing height field data from the U.S. Geological Survey that allowed filmmakers to capture elevation details from actual areas in the country. 

Spot and Arlo will keep you on your toes as they roam through this realistic but imaginary wilderness. The unlikely duo develops a close relationship whose differences make them each grow. Arlo learns to become strong and brave through his friendship with Spot.  

The Good Dinosaur is a movie for kids of all ages. As a parent, I enjoyed the storyline, the animation, and music. The film even passed the teenage test. Gregory said, “This was a really good movie.” 

It is advised to bring a box of tissues, after all this is a Disney-Pixar creation and the writers know how to tug at the heartstrings. 

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