Dinosaur (movie) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dinosaur |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by |
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| Produced by | Pam Marsden |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | James Newton Howard |
| Cinematography |
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| Editing by | H. Lee Peterson |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 19, 2000 (United States) |
| Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $127.5 million |
| Money made | $349.8 million |
Dinosaur is a thrilling computer-animated adventure film released in 2000. It was created by Walt Disney Feature Animation and The Secret Lab. This movie, the 39th animated feature from Disney, tells the story of Aladar, a young Iguanodon who grows up with a family of lemurs.
After a huge meteor shower destroys their home, Aladar and his lemur family must find a new place to live. On their journey, they meet a large group of dinosaurs. These dinosaurs are also looking for a safe new home called the "Nesting Grounds," but they are being hunted by dangerous predators like the Carnotaurus.
What makes Dinosaur special is how it was made. The characters are all created using CGI, which means they are digital models. But most of the backgrounds in the movie are real places! Filmmakers traveled to beautiful locations like Canaima National Park in Venezuela to film the scenery. You can even spot famous landmarks like Angel Falls in the movie. Dinosaur was a big success, earning over $349 million around the world, making it one of the top-grossing films of 2000.
The Story of Dinosaur
The movie begins in a dinosaur breeding ground. A fierce Carnotaurus attacks a baby Parasaurolophus, causing a huge stampede. In the chaos, an Iguanodon mother has to leave her nest. One egg survives and goes on an amazing journey. It's picked up by an Oviraptor, lost in a river, and even carried by a Pteranodon before landing on a faraway island.
This island is home to a group of lemurs. Plio, the daughter of their leader Yar, finds the egg. When it hatches, she names the baby dinosaur Aladar and raises him as her own son, even though Yar is a bit unsure at first. Years pass, and Aladar grows up with the lemurs. During a special mating ritual, Aladar's friend Zini can't find a mate.
Right after the ritual, a giant meteor crashes into Earth! This causes a huge explosion and a massive wave that destroys the island. Sadly, many lemurs are lost. But Aladar, along with Plio, Zini, Yar, and Suri, manage to escape by jumping across the sea to the mainland. They are sad about losing their home and family, but they know they must keep going.
As they travel through dry, empty lands, they are attacked by a group of Velociraptors. After escaping, Aladar and his family meet a huge herd of dinosaurs. This herd is led by two Iguanodon named Kron and his helper, Bruton. They are all heading to the "Nesting Grounds," a valley that is supposedly safe from the meteor's destruction.
That night, the herd stops to rest. Aladar quickly makes friends with some of the other dinosaurs. There's Baylene, a kind and elderly Brachiosaurus who is the last of her kind. He also meets Eema, a wise and slow-moving Styracosaurus, and her dog-like pet, Url, an Ankylosaurus. Kron allows Aladar and his family to join the herd.
The next morning, the herd crosses a vast desert. They reach a lake they usually rely on for water, but it's completely dry! Kron orders the herd to keep moving, but Aladar and his new friends discover water buried under the surface. They dig it up, saving the whole herd from becoming too thirsty. Kron's sister, Neera, is impressed by Aladar's caring nature, and they start to become close.
Meanwhile, two dangerous Carnotaurus dinosaurs are following the herd's tracks, looking for food. Bruton and another Iguanodon go to search for water but are attacked by the Carnotaurs. Bruton escapes, but the other dinosaur is eaten. Bruton warns Kron about the predators, causing the herd to panic. Kron speeds up, leaving Aladar, the lemurs, the older dinosaurs, and Bruton behind as the Carnotaurs get closer.
During a storm, Aladar's group finds shelter in a cave. Later that night, the Carnotaurus enter the cave. Baylene accidentally makes a noise, attracting their attention. Bruton bravely fights off the Carnotaurs, allowing Aladar and the others to escape. Bruton sacrifices himself by causing a cave-in, trapping one of the Carnotaurus with him. However, the other Carnotaurus survives and continues its hunt for the herd.
Aladar and his friends go deeper into the cave but hit a dead end. Aladar feels hopeless, especially after Bruton's sacrifice. But his friends encourage him, reminding him how he inspired them. Together, they break through the dead end and find the beautiful Nesting Grounds on the other side! While exploring, Eema discovers a huge wall of rocks blocking the original entrance to the valley.
Aladar realizes the herd will be in danger if they try to climb over the wall. He rushes off alone to warn Kron, not knowing the surviving Carnotaurus is now following him. Aladar catches up with Kron, Neera, and the herd just as they are about to climb the dangerous wall. Aladar suggests a safer way to the valley, but Kron refuses to listen. Kron becomes jealous of Aladar's growing influence and attacks him.
Aladar is hurt, but before Kron can deliver a final blow, Neera stops her brother, saving Aladar's life. The herd, seeing Kron's harsh actions, decides to follow Aladar instead. As they prepare to leave, the Carnotaurus suddenly appears, ready to attack them all. Aladar rallies Neera and the herd to stand together. They roar loudly at the predator, distracting it.
The Carnotaurus senses weaker prey and spots Kron. It chases him to the top of a cliff, with Aladar and Neera following. Kron reaches a dangerous drop that Aladar had warned him about. He tries to fight the Carnotaurus, but the large predator outsmarts him and injures him badly. As the Carnotaurus prepares to finish Kron, Neera knocks it aside. But she is quickly overwhelmed. Aladar arrives and battles the Carnotaurus. The cliff beneath the predator breaks apart, sending it falling to its death in the ravine below. Kron dies from his injuries, and Neera and Aladar mourn for him.
Aladar then leads the herd through the cave, guiding them safely to the Nesting Grounds where they finally find peace. Some time later, new baby dinosaurs hatch, including Aladar and Neera's own children. The lemurs also find more of their kind. The whole group begins a happy new life together in their new home.
Meet the Characters and Their Voices
Here are the talented actors who brought the characters of Dinosaur to life:
- D. B. Sweeney as Aladar: A brave, caring Iguanodon who was adopted by lemurs. He helps the dinosaur herd survive their journey. He is Plio's adopted son, Zini's adopted nephew, Yar's adopted grandson, and Suri's adopted brother.
- Alfre Woodard as Plio: A kind lemur who acts as a mother figure to her family. She is Yar's daughter, Zini's older sister, Suri's mother, and Aladar's adopted mother.
- Ossie Davis as Yar: The wise, sometimes grumpy, leader of the lemurs. He is Plio and Zini's father, Suri's grandfather, and Aladar's adopted grandfather.
- Max Casella as Zini: Aladar's best friend and a funny sidekick. He is Aladar's adopted uncle, Suri's uncle, Plio's younger brother, and Yar's son.
- Evan Sabara as Young Zini.
- Hayden Panettiere as Suri: Aladar's adopted sister. She is Plio's daughter, Zini's niece, and Yar's granddaughter.
- Samuel E. Wright as Kron: A tough and sometimes selfish Iguanodon who leads the dinosaur herd. He believes only the strongest should survive. Aladar eventually takes over as leader.
- Julianna Margulies as Neera: Kron's sister and Aladar's girlfriend.
- Peter Siragusa as Bruton: Kron's second-in-command Iguanodon. He starts off harsh but becomes more caring. He is rescued by Aladar after Kron leaves him behind.
- Joan Plowright as Baylene: An elderly, gentle, and kind Brachiosaurus. She is the very last of her species.
- Della Reese as Eema: A very old and slow-moving Styracosaurus who is full of wisdom.
Images for kids
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The Secret Lab's former location in Burbank, California.
See also
In Spanish: Dinosaur para niños
