Product Details

• Actors: D.B. Sweeney, Alfre Woodard, Ossie Davis, Max Casella, Hayden Panettiere
• Directors: Eric Leighton, Ralph Zondag
• Writers: Ralph Zondag, John Harrison, Robert Nelson Jacobs, Thom Enriquez
• Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1), French (Unknown)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 30, 2001
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (336 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000050MN3
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,578 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Dinosaur" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dinosaurs come alive like never before in this costly computer-animated film from Disney. After a breathtaking opening (a dino egg is kidnapped), the film changes style; realistic dinosaurs are given human characteristics and voices. The kidnapped egg grows into an iguanodon named Aladar (voiced by D.B. Sweeney), who is raised by lemurs (shades of Tarzan) on a lush island void of other dinosaurs. When a meteorite destroys their island home in a thrilling sequence, the lemur family and Aladar become part of a dinosaur troop roaming the mainland deserts looking for the lush nesting grounds (shades of the fourth installment of the Land Before Time series and Fantasia). Disney's usual mix of modern language (one lemur calls himself "a love monkey") is present, as is its typical capital punishment law: anyone against our forward-thinking hero (or even disagreeing with him) ends up dead. Curiously, the meanies, a pair of carnotaurs following the group, are nameless and voiceless. This more realistic approach might have been a bigger wow, as in the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs, which looked extraordinary with only a fraction of the budget. The complexity and scope of Dinosaur's visual scale is impressive, and group shots and a point-of-view angle are stunning. Rated PG for general intensity, the film should be a favorite for the 6- to 11-year-old set. --Doug Thomas

Product Description

Join the action-packed adventure of a group of dinosaurs overcoming enormous challenges through courage, loyalty, and hope in Disney's DINOSAUR, a special effects phenomenon! Set 65 million years ago, DINOSAUR tells the compelling story of an iguanodon named Aladar, who is separated from his own kind and raised by a clan of lemurs, including the wisecracking Zini and the compassionate Plio. When a devastating meteor shower plunges their world into chaos, Aladar and his family follow a herd of dinosaurs heading for the safety of the "nesting grounds." Along the way, Aladar befriends Baylene, the dignified, elderly brachiosaur with a take-no-prisoners attitude; Eema, the unstoppable styrachosaur; and Neera, a feisty fellow iguanodon. Together, they must stand strong amid food and water shortages, the threat of attacks by carnotaurs, and Aladar's run-ins with the herd's stubborn leader, Kron. As the trip becomes one pulse-quickening adventure after another, it also forges friendships that no hardship can destroy. A landmark in filmmaking technology, Disney's DINOSAUR is a breathtaking spectacle filled with adventure, fun, and life lessons that the whole family will love!

See all Editorial Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive animation, weak story March 25, 2001

By Ofir Shachar

Format:DVD

I thought a lot about this review.

I'm an animation buff, so I can well say that this film received the maximum rank on animation - the amount of details and thought that was put into every movement and shot is admirable, and the result shows. It is certain that the animators did an excellent job - even went down to details such as having the muscles of the dinosaurs vibrate when the foot hits the floor. Sometimes I actually forgot that this was an animation movie, and mistook it for a National Geographic feature.

The story, on the other hand, is rather disappointing. It seems like the development process stopped after the story became reasonable. The characters are only skin-deep, and it is frustrating for someone who had already seen a couple of movies before that this one brings nothing new to the screen. It's sad to notice so many 'deja vu's while watching, seeing so many thing that you have already seen before, especially that the main character - Aladar - is an orphan dinosaur raised by monkeys, carries a close resemblance to Disney's previous feature, Tarzan.

Two thumbs up for the music - it really hits the spot. The composer captured every moment so naturally that it fits like a glove. Nothing I say can convey the impression, so you might as well see it for yourself.

All in all, an amazing animation feature with a weak plot. This film - in itself - receives 4 stars from me, although if I had calculated my impression on the Collector's edition, I would have definitely lowered it to 3. It simply wasn't worth the extra money I added. The second DVD contains very little material, and I really expected more from a highly documented production such as this one to include more material.... People purchase this item to get more information about the animation process, and I really feel like I wanted more. I really think that I should have bought the regular edition and saved some cash. Read more ›

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Exciting November 5, 2000

By mquinn25

Format:DVD

I am not sure what critics were expecting when they shot this movie down. It is a fun and exciting adventure for children and adults alike. It may be a little too scary for children under 6, so be warned. Let's get one thing straight, folks. Dinosaur is a movie for CHILDREN. So, don't go in expecting to see the second coming of Jurassic Park. The movie does offer brilliant CGI special effects and breathtaking scenery. I like the story for kids because it stresses teamwork and the value of every individual. The lead character, an Iguanadon named Aladar, is very likeable and I found myself rooting for him time and again. Was the movie expensive? Yes. Is it one of Disney's best ever? No. BUT, it is fun and exciting. There are SO many movies out there for adults. This one is a winner for kids. Don't cheat your kids out of enjoying it because they will.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Buffet of Dinosaurs February 6, 2004

By K. Fontenot VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

"Dinosaur" is a fine film from the folks at Disney. Like "Hercules," the story isn't moving or too impressive, but the film is fun to watch and has some brilliant moments in it. Many people have bashed the film for being too violent, but the PG rating does seem fair. I agree that kids under the age of five shouldn't see this movie without some serious adult supervision, but at the same time, children do need to know about death...even if it's violent. The Carnotaur sequences involve quite a bit of violence, but these are dinosaurs! Dinosaurs ate each other in reality. Don't knock this movie for that reason. Here's a concept: Watch the movie with your kids(you won't be bored) and then explain to them that death and violence was a very real part of daily life for dinosaurs. It may take your children a little time to cope with this information, but sometimes the truth hurts. If your child is under the age of five, you may want to skip certain sequences in the movie because of the violence. My daughter watched this movie, but I always managed to skip through the violent parts for one reason: she's two years old. She loves this movie. When she gets old enough to understand that things die, I'll let her see the violent sequences in this film.

For adults, I found this movie very entertaining. As in other reviews, I agree that the visuals are stunning. The film is brilliantly animated and does use some real scenery to blend in with the CGI graphics. The differences in the two are almost seamless. The lemurs provide both comic relief and solid wisdom in this flick.

If for no other reason, buy this movie for it's artistic value, but the story is a good one and the characters are very believable.... It's a good show, but I cannot help but reiterate the importance of watching this show with young kids in order to explain some of the things that occur in it. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a Good Children's Movie January 27, 2001

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

Don't let negative reviews put you off. I have four children, and the three who are above the age of two loved this movie. They didn't cry or scream. The graphic are breathtaking. The story isn't really anything terribly original, but then, what Disney story is? They all have basically the same theme and this film is no more violent than The Lion King (probably Disney's best modern effort", the violence is simple done with computer graphics instead of traditional animation.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Movie for Children Who Like Dinosaurs March 9, 2005

By Jeffrey T. Munson

Format:VHS Tape

Following in the footsteps of such animated classics as "Toy Story", "Dinosaur" continues Walt Disney's tradition of exciting and fun computer-animated films.

Aladar (D.B. Sweeney) is a young Iguanodon who joins a group of lemurs on an island after surviving a T-Rex attack and being scooped up by a Pterodactyl. However, a meteor shower destroys their island home, forcing Aladar and the lemurs back to land and other dinosaurs. Soon, the group encounters a large herd of dinosaurs travelling towards the nesting grounds, which contain fertile land, along with plenty of food and water.

Aladar and the lemurs decide to join the herd, but they soon meet Kron, a fearsome dinosaur who is the so-called leader of the herd. Many of the other dinosaurs complain that Kron pushes them too hard and they cannot keep up. They are befriended by Baylene, a no-nonsense Brachiosaur and Eema, a feisty Styrachosaur, but Aladar becomes enamored with Neera, a female Iguanodon who happens to be Kron's sister. Needless to say, there are some tense moments between Aladar, Neera, and Kron. Neera is not interested in Aladar at first, but as their journey continues, she begins to like him more and more.

Kron fears that Aladar is trying to take his place as leader of the herd, so they have many confrontations along the way. Also, large Carnators have been tracking the herd. Will they reach the nesting grounds before the Carnators get them? Will Neera realize how much Aladar cares for her?

This is a good movie for both children and adults. My 5 and 3 year old children like this movie very much, and they ask to watch it frequently.... Although there are some "scary" parts, such as the meteor shower and the battles with the Carnators, overall, it is still appropriate for young children. The animation in the movie is very good. The dinosaurs look very life-like, and the scenery is extremely vivid. The story is well-conceived, as well. The length of the movie is just right to hold a child's attention for the entire film, too. I recommend this movie for parents and children alike. The children will enjoy all of the fascinating dinosaurs, while the parents will be able to spend some quality time with their kids. Read more ›