'The Good Dinosaur' review: Pixar's latest is a visual delight but not its best

Film: The Good Dinosaur
Director: Peter Sohn
Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Raymond Ochoa, Jack Bright, Sam Elliott, Steve Zahn
Rating: ***1/2

What it's about: In this alternate universe, the asteroid that wiped out dinosaur life on earth, never hit the third rock from the sun. When our story starts, it is the Apatosauruses who have evolved into farmers and gatherers, while the human race isn't as evolved as we'd like it to be. So that makes the dinos the superior race, while humans are still feral— in a wolfish sort of way. The story begins with a Poppa and Momma (Wright and McDormand) watching their babies hatch. The runt of the litter, Arlo (Ochoa) never feels as strong or capable as his older brother and sister. But a tragedy that ends in his father's death changes all that. A run-in with a "critter" he later names Spot (Bright) takes him away from home and into a sea of trouble. As he struggles to find his way back, he will need all the help he can get. Only, it will come from unexpected quarters.

What's hot: Everybody loves an underdog. A buddy flick. A hero's journey fraught with peril, angst and self-discovery. It's what we go to the movies for. This movie has all that. As far as animation features go, this one nails it in technique and production. It is a product worth being proud about for the right reasons. The scenery has never looked more photorealistic than it does in this movie. Mychael Danna's music is beautiful. Arlo and Spot share several moments you can keep returning to because they're so damn well-captured. It's just that...

What's not: Director Peter Sohn's flow seems somewhat laboured, much like the persona of the character he plays in the film, a pet-collecting Styracosaurus named Forrest Woodbush. Also, while it's rather clear that most of the other dinosaurs seem worked on, Arlo and his ilk seem a little underwhelming to look at, at the outset. Also, Spot comes off a far cuter version of Sandy from The Croods, and one feels a little deja vu in that respect. 

What to do: All said and done, The Good Dinosaur is like any other good Pixar film in theme. It gets the job done, you're in familiar territory. It's good, but not great. Not when the movies that came before it are still remembered so fondly.  

PS: That short animation film that comes before the main feature? It's helmed by an Indian named Sanjay Patel. Called Sanjay's Super Team, it is about one kid's imagination running wild as he finds common ground between his father's beliefs and his own fantasies. Give it some love and don't miss it. Again, doesn't count among Pixar's best. Even so...