Due to the fact that the release date for Pixar's, The Good Dinosaur had been pushed back two years, and multiple changes in casting and plot had been made during production, I was skeptical of the final outcome of the sixteenth film in the Pixar family. However, not only was I brought to tears three times as a result of the film's beautiful story-line, but I was also enthralled by the incredible landscapes created for the movie.
I mean, look at this visually impeccable use of technology that had me questioning for a good five minutes as to whether the landscaping was animated or real.
The Good Dinosaur is based around the thought of what would happen if the asteroid that caused the extinction of dinosaurs, didn't strike Earth. The audience is introduced to a family of Apatosaurus farmers, made up of a mother, father and three children, including the youngest and most feeble, Arlo. A turn of events cause Arlo to be afraid of nature, more specifically, lightening, and he is left stranded far from home. Once meeting Spot, a lost caveboy who is, for the most part, fearless, Arlo begins his journey back home.
Throughout the story, there are multiple instances in which the audience is brought to tears (there was a grown-man next to me crying), as well as enough funny moments to keep the story from being too heartbreaking. Story-line wise, The Good Dinosaur reminds me a lot of Up—the tale of a lost soul who acquires the assistance of a couple strange characters, who is also in need of reaching a specific place. However, the main aspect of the film that really drew me in was the use of technology to create such fantastic scenery.
Landscaping for the film was based off the American Northwest, mainly that of Oregon, Wyoming and southern Montana. Relying on the U.S. Geological Survey and Google Earth satellite imaging, the production design team behind the film was able to create 100% volumetric clouds for the first time, along with being able to give the movie a unique look that hadn't been showcased before in a Pixar film.
Once viewing the film, the attention to detail concerning the environmental landscaping of the film made complete sense. Due to Arlo's relationship with nature and how it shapes his adventures throughout the movie, it is understandable that the creative team would want to highlight the intense details found within nature in order to enhance the connection between the protagonist and antagonist.
Overall, The Good Dinosaur is one of Pixar's most impressive and heartwarming films to date. Capturing both the beauty and power of nature, as well as how love can drive someone to face their fears, this film is unlike any other.
