The Good Dinosaur rules

While travelling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of. This not-to-be-missed film guarantees first-rate entertainment and will have you crying and laughing from start to finish.

In the tradition of Pixar Animation's superb Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur raises the bar and showcases the art of storytelling at its best, and the skilful craft of passionate story makers.

This absolutely enchanting film asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?

Afraid of the world

"From the moment Arlo is born, he's afraid of the world," says first-time director Peter Sohn, a 15-year Pixar veteran and graduate of CalArts. "He's fun-loving and determined; he's got a lot of fire when it comes to his desire to help his family. And his father is his biggest supporter. But Arlo is scared. His fear holds him back.

"Spot is the opposite of Arlo," continues Sohn. "He's tenacious, brave and an animal in every sense of the word. It's the story of a boy and his dog - only in our story, the boy is a dinosaur and the dog is a boy."

Inspired by the American Northwest, filmmakers found that even towering dinosaurs could feel small in the right surroundings, which worked to intensify Arlo's fears. According to producer Denise Ream, the stunning and often overwhelming landscape that artists created ultimately played an important role in the story. "Nature can overcome anything," she says, "including a massive dinosaur."

This original story catapults Arlo into a vast wilderness, where he struggles to face his fears and survive, all while dealing with the tragic loss of his father.

Arlo encounters a host of unique personalities who all contribute to his evolution - whether they mean to or not. But the friendship he builds with Spot has the biggest impact. Spot can't speak, yet he gives Arlo the kind of loyalty and unconditional love that fuels his self-discovery. "Arlo has a lot to overcome," says Sohn. "His father always knew he was capable of much more, but it'll take this emotional journey for Arlo to realise it."

Emotional movie

"'The Good Dinosaur' is one of the most emotional movies we've ever made," says executive producer John Lasseter. "It's really funny and clever, and as the story unfolds, this deep emotion emerges. You fall in love with Spot right along with Arlo. Their bond is so interesting and unique - so different from anything we've ever done. It's a very special movie."

The Good Dinosaur is executive produced by Lasseter, Lee Unkrich and Andrew Stanton. With original concept and development by Bob Peterson, the film features a story by Sohn, Erik Benson, Meg LeFauve, Kelsey Mann and Peterson, and a screenplay by LeFauve. Music is by Academy Award-winning film composer Mychael Danna (Life of Pi) and Emmy-nominated composer Jeff Danna (Tyrant).

In a world in which dinosaurs never became extinct and humans roam the wild, The Good Dinosaur features a simple, relatable story. "It's really a coming-of-age story," says Sohn. "Arlo is afraid of everything. But his father, Poppa, is always there for him, encouraging Arlo to step out of his comfort zone, to confront his fears, to make his mark."

Arlo desperately wants to impress his family, but finds himself continually falling short.

Says screenplay writer Meg LeFauve, "Arlo disappoints his father time and again, but Poppa always believes in him. And even though Arlo doesn't know it, that unconditional love gives him strength that he'll need later."

Arlo's weaknesses

Arlo's siblings, sister Libby and brother Buck, are bigger and more confident than he is from the very beginning. Work and chores around the farm seem to come easily to them, which only shines a brighter light on Arlo's weaknesses. "Poppa gives Arlo a job - a mission to earn his mark," says Sohn. "Arlo is tasked with catching a critter, a pest who's eating the food they've stored for the winter. At last, Arlo has a chance to prove his worth. But in the end, he can't do it. He can't kill this creature he's captured, and he sets it free, much to his father's disappointment."

Poppa's subsequent tough love lesson turns tragic, and Arlo has trouble coping. "He blames the critter for everything," says Sohn.

Arlo's anger ultimately results in a major misstep that leaves him lost and far from home. According to filmmakers, that marks the moment Arlo begins to transform. "Arlo really needs to be on his own and go on this quest to become who he is meant to be," says story supervisor Kelsey Mann. "His struggles in the wilderness help him grow and see beyond his fear."

His chances for survival are dubious until an unexpected ally shows up and lends a hand. The critter, later dubbed Spot, doesn't venture far from Arlo - despite the dinosaur's angry feelings towards him. That single act of kindness - when Arlo releases him from the trap - reveals something about Arlo's character that he has yet to realise. Spot quickly proves to be a great resource to Arlo and slowly, becomes a friend. "Spot is loyal to Arlo," says LeFauve. "This big dinosaur could've killed him the moment they first met - he was supposed to - but Arlo set the critter free. And Spot will never forget that kindness."

An eventful journey

The unlikely friends embark on an eventful journey through stunning but often unforgiving environments in an effort to get Arlo home. Their story unfolds visually - a hallmark of Pixar storytelling that's taken to new heights in The Good Dinosaur.

"It's a story that doesn't have a lot of dialogue," says Sharon Calahan, director of photography-lighting. "The combination of breathtaking vistas, dramatic weather and overwhelming vastness affects us so profoundly that we're immersed in the story. We're carried away. We can relate personally to the relationship that's developing between Spot and Arlo."

The duo encounters an array of intriguing characters, including raptors, pterodactyls and a family of T Rexes. In the world of The Good Dinosaur, herbivores have taken up farming, while carnivores became ranchers. According to Mann, the T Rexes Arlo meets are the dinosaur version of cowboys. "They're quiet, intimidating, tough and massive, but they play a big role in opening Arlo's eyes to his fear."

Arlo wants the T Rexes to help him, but realises he'll have to help them first. "They don't know Arlo," says LeFauve. "They don't know anything about his fear, so they treat him like they'd treat any other dinosaur, and they really give him no choice but to go for it. Courage, he learns, isn't about not being afraid."

But Arlo's feelings toward Spot are the key to his growth. "Spot teaches Arlo about bravery and gives him strength," says Sohn. "Looking internally teaches him about love and friendship. Even though Spot and Arlo don't speak the same language they find that not only can they communicate, but they actually have a lot in common. It's through that connection that Arlo begins to care more about his friendship than his fears; he realises that he has more to offer than he ever imagined, which gives him the confidence he needs to combat their obstacles, complete his journey home and ultimately make his mark."

Let The Good Dinosaur rule your first choice when visiting the cinema. It's an ideal film to share with friends and family.

Read more about The Good Dinosaur at www.writingstudio.co.za