Dino Time
for some scary action and mild rude humor.
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Young-Teens |
| Genre: | Animation Adventure Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 26 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2012 |
| USA Release: |
December 7, 2012 (wide) |
Time travel fantasy
DINOSAUR ORIGIN—Where did the dinosaurs come from? Answer
Are dinosaurs mentioned in the BIBLE? Answer
WHY did God create dinosaurs? Answer
LIVING WITH DINOSAURS—What would it have been like to live with dinosaurs? Answer
EXTINCTION—Why did dinosaurs become extinct? Answer
NOAH’S ARK—Did Noah take dinosaurs on the Ark? Answer
DINOSAURS AFTER THE FLOOD—Following the Flood, what happened to dinosaurs? Answer
| Featuring |
Pamela Adlon … Ernie (voice) Jane Lynch … Sue (voice) Melanie Griffith … Tyra (voice) Tara Strong … Julia (voice) Grey Griffin (Grey Delisle) … Baby T-Rex (voice) Rob Schneider … Dodger (voice) Tom Kenny … Borace / Guard #2 / Tour Guide / Burger Attendant (voice) William Baldwin … Sarco (voice) Stephen Baldwin … Surly (voice) See all » |
| Director |
Yoon-suk Choi John Kafka |
| Producer |
CJ Entertainment [Korea] Toiion [Korea] See all » |
| Distributor | Clarius Entertainment |
Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “The story of a daredevil kid named Ernie, his little sister Julia, and his best friend Max, who, while horsing around in Max’s inventor father’s workshop, accidentally trip a time-machine into operation and find themselves transported back in time 65 million years, where they’re adopted by doting dinosaur mom Tyra (Melanie Griffith) and a rambunctious dinosaur “brother” named Dodger (Rob Schneider). The three kids explore the prehistoric world—trying to steer clear of Tyra’s evil dinosaur rivals (William Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin)—while, back in the present day, Max’s dad and Ernie and Julia’s overprotective mom (Jane Lynch) plot their rescue.
There’s nothing Ernie loves more than an adventure, whether he’s zooming around town on his rocket-powered skateboard or stealing an early peek at a new fossil exhibit at the Dinosaur Museum. It’s not always easy under the strict rule of his mom Sue (Jane Lynch). One day, however, Ernie’s daredevil nature takes him on a journey with potentially irreversible consequences. After sneaking over to his best friend Max’s house, Ernie discovers Max’s dad’s latest invention: a sleek, egg-shaped time machine. Suddenly, Julia bursts in to bust the two boys, and in the ensuing chaos, the time machine whirs to life and closes its doors on the three arguing kids.
When the hydraulic doors hiss open, the kids find themselves in a lush jungle untouched by mankind, with a living, breathing T-Rex named Tyra (Melanie Griffith) standing over them. Tyra nuzzles them softly, and Ernie realizes that they’re not going to end up dinosaur food—they're family! The egg-shaped time machine has landed in Tyra’s nest, and the she thinks the human children are hers, new siblings to her hyperactive dinosaur son Dodger (Rob Schneider).
Ernie’s ready to seize the opportunity to have his most incredible escapade yet… but there’s still the little problem of how to eventually get home, what with the time machine having lost a vital component in its crash landing. Throw in some creepy dinosaur rivals of Tyra’s (William Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin) who plan to take the time machine ‘egg’ to lure her into their lair, and the road back to the present is paved with obstacles.”
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
“Dino Time” is one of those films that young-teens beg their parents to send them to during vacations, but those kids forget it as soon as they’ve seen it. They don’t have any interest in owning a copy on DVD.
It’s a predictable adventure-then-get-safely-home story with a few clever twists, humorous touches and special effects. The creators seem to have enjoyed the process of making it with plenty of colorful artistry and interesting creature animations. Half the music is orchestral, while the action scenes feature rock music.
The themes appear to be family values like caring how your decisions affect others and therefore doing what’s right, even if you don’t feel like obeying your mom. They’re good aims, but both the evil characters (alligators and vultures, I think) and the heroes all show a lot of poor behaviors for a long time. Sodas are an addiction for both a child and a parent. Dishonesty and manipulation feature, with theft, arguing and disrespect, plus a typical level of mild insults, siblings saying “I hate you,” and crudity. Villains look fairly nasty and treat their enemies without mercy. At one stage a child is thrown onto rocky ground, landing painfully and bouncing a few times. Some of the dinosaurs meet horribly violent ends. And it’s noisy.
As with most secular kids” films at the moment, there’s not really any spiritual riches to be found in “Dino Time.” It never refers to God or Satan or any religions, and the reality of sin isn’t properly dealt with: apologies are rare and tiny. I believe that kids who see it will remember the action and scariness, not the few positive messages, and they might not sleep well afterward.
And, of course, there’s the whole issue of whether the 65 million years age of the Earth is on the right track.
I imagine some young-teens would think that “Dino time” is a good use of their time, but overall it seems like it’s not the sort of kids’ movie we’re looking for as Christians and people with strong moral values.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3