Dinosaur (2000) 3 1/2 stars out of 4. Featuring the vocal talents of D.B. Sweeney, Ossie Davis, Alfre Woodard, Max Casella, Hayden Panettier, Julianna Margulies, Joan Plowrightand Della Reese
Disney's latest creation, "Dinosaur," is a magical meld of digitally enhanced live-action photography, special effects and computer animated wonder.
Though a bit ragged on the technical side, the film showcases a simple story with a moral that the younger members of the audience can understand and appreciate, plus some heroic and amusing characters with whom they can relate.
The story is reminiscent of the animated "Land Before Time" of several years ago: A group of dinosaurs seek a legendary verdant valley containing enough food and water to sustain them.
"Dinosaur" follows the adventures of an Iguanodon named Aladar (voiced by D.B. Sweeney) who is separated from his own species as a hatchling and adopted by a tribe of Lemurs.
Years later, a catastrophic event forces the family to flee and join up with a herd of dinosaurs searching for a safe nesting ground.
In a sense, the movie is anti-Darwinian. Its message that survival of the fittest is a brutal misconception, while standing together and cooperation - the mighty protecting the weak - makes for a more viable and stronger community, is a lesson the children will easily grasp.
Moreso than the special effects, it is the characters who drive "Dinosaur."
Besides Aladar, there is his Lemur parents, Yar (Ossie Davis) and Plio (Alfre Woodard); his best pal, Zini (Max Casella); sister, Suri (Hayden Panettiere); and the friends they make on the trek, Neera (Julianna Margulies), another Iguanodon; Baylene (Joan Plowright), an elderly, dignified Brachiosuar; and Eema (Della Reese), a gruff, but lovable Styrachosaur.
The movie's real stars, though, are the various technicians who recreated the world of 65 million years ago. Though the effects are sometimes dark and murky, the Disney team has created such fully-developed creatures, plus some beautiful vistas that you tend to gloss over the rough spots.
Aided by a rousing score by James Newton Howard, which contains echoes of a previous Disney winner, "The Lion King," "Dinosaur" is a movie that will engross the younger set.
One concession I really appreciated is that none of the dinosaurs nor Lemurs break into song and dance. That would have been a bit too much, even for an animated feature.
Though it contains some violence, "Dinosaur" is basically a good-hearted saga, and at a little under 90 minutes, it will hold the attention of the youngest viewer.
"Dinosaur" is basically a family movie. Adults will find it simplistic, but they will enjoy it if they see it with their children. And an entertaining movie with a moral is always a good bet for a family outing.
"Dinosaur" is not as colorful as "Tarzan," nor does it pack the emotional wallop of "The Lion King, "but it does provide breathtaking scenery, the latest in special effects and lovable characters.
You can't lose with this combination.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net Reviews by Bloom, an associate member of the Online Film Critics Society, are posted on the Internet Movie Database at: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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