By Nicky Johnston.

Before I begin this review I have a confession to make.  I am a dinosaur novice.  In my world; T.Rex is a rock band, paleontology reminds me of Ross from ‘Friends’ and dinosaurs do not talk.  From the moment a young Pachyrhinosaurus started addressing the audience through the medium of Justin Long, I realised my expectations were a little off.

This is a children’s movie.  

Not one of those kids’ movies, like Toy Story or Tangled, with secret jokes hidden in plain sight for long-suffering parents.  No, this movie knows it’s intended audience and throws itself whole-heartedly into entertaining the under 12s…

The film follows a young Pachyrhinosaurus, Patchi (Justin Long), from nest to adulthood.  The ultimate underdog (or should I say underdino?), Patchi is the runt of the litter.  Bullied by his big brother Scowler (Skyler Stone), Patchi must find a place for himself within the herd, especially once the status quo begins to turn from his family’s favor.

There is, of course, the prerequisite love story; Patchi meets Juniper (Tiya Sircar), and it’s love at first sight.  But oh no!  Juniper is not able to pick her own mate; she must obey herd protocol and become part of the herd leader’s harem.  It’s all very Romeo and Juliet…   

All this is triumphantly tied together by John Leguizamo’s narration, as Alexornis bird Alex.  Leguizamo adds much of the real humour to the film, adding gleeful sarcasm anytime the dinos start to get too saccharine.    

The real star of Walking with Dinosaurs is unsurprisingly the visuals.  If you decide you want to see this, go to the cinema!  The CGI will make you forget dinosaurs are extinct.  The 3D is wonderfully useful – no gimmickry here.  The greatest compliment to the effects team is that it’s so good you simply forget they’re there.  Immersive and unique visuals elevate this often-predictable tale to a whole different league.   

Special mention to the pretty classy soundtrack.  Low point: the use of Twilight-esque Lord Huron’s ‘Ends of the Earth’ in conjunction with a CGI aurora borealis…  High point: Matisyahi’s ‘Live Like A Warrior’ will make you root for Patchi’s happy ending with embarrassing enthusiasm.

Overall, this movie gets 3 out of 5 stars.  

The impressive display of CGI and 3D will easily keep adults entertained, but one watch is enough.  Without the big screen wow-factor the film will lack it’s spark – don’t expect this to become a festive favorite.       

Nonetheless, if you have a son or daughter, niece or nephew, 100% take them to see Walking with Dinosaurs 3D.  It is a brilliant children’s movie that will successfully keep kids distracted for 87 minutes this Christmas holiday.  Heck, it might even spark an interest in science and dinosaurs!  Just prepare yourself for a last minute rush on dino-themed stocking fillers…  

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