Dinosaur

2000 Drama

Walt Disney Pictures redefined computer animation with this technically accomplished fantasy of prehistoric life, combining live-action backgrounds with computer-generated animals. After a pterodactyl snatches a dinosaur's egg and accidentally drops it while flying away, the egg is rescued by a family of lemurs, who keep it warm until it hatches. They raise the baby dinosaur, named Aladar, as one of their own, and as he grows to adulthood, Aladar protects the primates that he has come to regard as his family. When a giant meteor appears in the sky, packs of dinosaurs have no idea what to make of the strange fiery light, but Aladar and the lemurs are convinced that they must escape to a safer place before the huge flaming stone destroys their home, leading Aladar to encounter his own kind for the first time. D.B. Sweeney provides the voice of Aladar; other actors in the voice cast include Joan Plowright, Julianna Margulies, Alfre Woodard, and Ossie Davis. more..

Director: Eric Leighton

Reviews

  • Throughout the history of film, nothing turns campier faster than dinosaur movies. This one will have a much longer shelf life than most.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

  • Doesn't offer anything to adult viewers as thrilling, as shivery, as satisfyingly primal as Steven Spielberg's intricate predator choreography in the original ''Jurassic Park.''

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    19 January 2013

  • I was entertained, and yet I felt a little empty-handed at the end, as if an enormous effort had been spent on making these dinosaurs seem real, and then an even greater effort was spent on undermining the illusion.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • For all the eyepopping splendor and in-your-face reality, this film leaves the viewer unsatisfied and feeling a little cheated out of compelling drama.

    Peter Stack - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

  • As luxuriant and intoxicating as a theme park ride; more remarkably, it feels like a real movie.

    Dana Stevens - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Top Box Office Films

    ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (2001)

  • Best Fantasy Film

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2001)

     
  • Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production

    Annie Awards (2000)

     
  • Favorite Family Film

    Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)

     
  • Bogey Awards, Germany (2000)