*I received this DVD from Disney for review. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
Disney’s Pixar The Good Dinosaur is now available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere. I took the kids to see The Good Dinosaur over Thanksgiving in the movies and it earned rave reviews from this clan. While it did have one sad scene that had my daughter (7) a little emotional, she really loved it and begged me to see it again the following week.
SYNOPSIS: From the innovative minds of Disney•Pixar comes a hilariously heartwarming adventure about the power of confronting and overcoming your fears and discovering who you are meant to be.
The Good Dinosaur asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely, and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In this epic journey into the world of dinosaurs, an apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.
Bring home this original story full of humor, heart, action and imagination, perfect for the whole family!
CAST: Raymond Ochoa(NBC’s “The Night Shift,” TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol”) as Arlo; Jeffrey Wright (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts I & II”, HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) as Arlo’s wise Poppa; Frances McDormand (HBO’s “Olive Kitteridge,” “Fargo”) as Arlo’s strong Momma; Marcus Scribner (ABC’s “black•ish”) as Arlo’s brother, Buck; Jack Bright (“Monsters University”) as Spot; Steve Zahn(“Captain Fantastic,” “Ridiculous Six,” “Rescue Dawn,” “Mad Dogs”) as a fearless pterodactyl named Thunderclap; A.J. Buckley (TNT’s “Murder in the First,” FX’s “Justified”) as teen T-Rex Nash; Anna Paquin(HBO’s “True Blood”) as Nash’s tenacious sister, Ramsey; Sam Elliott(FX’s “Justified,” “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” “Grandma”) as T-Rex patriarch Butch
While this movie is absolutely visually stunning, what I loved best about this movie is the theme. Throughout the movie, it shows themes of encouragement and being able to get something done, that you might have not thought you could do. It resonated with us especially when my daughter started a new school this year and was very nervous. She thought she won’t have the same experience of the past years but I told her to be confident, and to go in smiling. Six months later, she is having one of the greatest years!
Here are some of the extras and bonuses you will get when you purchase this awesome DVD!
BONUS: Digital HD*, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)
THEATRICAL SHORT – Sanjay’s Super Team – Sanjay loves the world of cartoons and comics, while his father tries to draw him into his Hindu traditions. Reluctance quickly turns into awe-inspiring adventure as the boy embarks on an amazing journey, returning with a new perspective they can both embrace.
TRUE LIES ABOUT DINOSAURS – We know – it’s preposterous to think Apatosaurs spoke English. Learn more about what separates the fictional dinosaurs of “The Good Dinosaur“ from what scientists know about real dinosaurs.
RECYCLOSAURUS – Pixar takes creative competition seriously. Maybe a little too seriously. Watch as “The Good Dinosaur” crew competes to see which department can create the best dinosaur ever…using only discarded items from the studio’s “free table.”
THE FILMMAKERS’ JOURNEY – Finding your way from an idea to a film takes a lot of exploration. Director Peter Sohn and his fellow filmmakers talk about the challenging, inspiring, and unexpectedly emotional experience of making “The Good Dinosaur.”
EVERY PART OF THE DINOSAUR – The filmmakers talk about the special animation challenges of “The Good Dinosaur” – including figuring out how to animate a dinosaur who’s really a boy, and a boy who’s got the spirit of a dog.
FOLLOWING THE T-REX TRAIL – Follow the filmmakers as they travel to a working cattle ranch and meet the McKays, a close-knit family whose work ethic, generosity, and stories inspired the T-Rex ranchers of the film.
COMMENTARY – Commentary from director Peter Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey Mann, supervising animator Mike Venturini, director of photography/lighting Sharon Calahan, and supervising technical director Sanjay Bakshi.
DINO BITES – Montage of original animated pieces produced to promote “The Good Dinosaur.”
HIDE AND SEEK – A short animated clip produced to promote “The Good Dinosaur.”
DELETED SCENES
o The Attack – An idyllic introduction to the family farm is cut short when a savage predator attacks the newborn Arlo. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.
o Building the Silo – An admiring Arlo is thrilled to follow along as his father builds a silo for the family farm. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.
o Waiting for Poppa – Arlo awaits the return of his beloved father on a stormy night, only to be greeted with tragic news. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.
Blu-ray 3D & DVD:
- THEATRICAL SHORT – Sanjay’s Super Team
Digital Exclusive:
Just Listen – Trace the development of the unique soundscape of “The Good Dinosaur,” from the wilds of British Columbia as Sound Designer Craig Berkey collects sounds, to the recording studio where Jeff and Mychael Danna use instruments from around the world to create the music.
Our FAVORITE BONUS: While we loved all the bonuses, our favorite is Sanjay’s Super Team which my whole family loved. This short revolved around Sanjay Patel’s (director) real life inspirations where he is conflicted between the world he lives in now and those of his Hindu traditions of his family. Sanjay is conflicted and bored with his father’s meditations and he dreams up superheroes, represented by Hindu gods. It is a creative, fun, and inspirational film. It is so good that it got an Academy Award for best short. If you watch Good Dinosaur, make sure to start with this bonus as it is truly fantastic.