We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story - 2 stars out of 10

We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story - 2 stars out of 10

If I mention an animated Steven Spielberg film about dinosaurs, what is the first thing to come to your mind?  I doubt that it is “We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story.”  This is just another cheap attempt to get a piece of Disney’s success during the Renaissance.  How did Spielberg get sucked into this one?  It has plenty of big names, a score by James Horner, and a song performed by Little Richard, but the entire thing is painfully cheesy and trite.  When you consider that this film hit theaters between Disney’s releases of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” it emphasizes its lack of quality in an era of critically acclaimed animation.  Even better: this film was released the same year as “Jurassic Park”!  Was it meant to be a companion piece to Spielberg’s box-office shattering dinosaur thriller?  This is probably the first time that one studio managed to create a box-office smash AND a box-office bomb about dinosaurs in the same year.  The main issue is the film’s shallow story.  The sight gags, stereotypical 90’s children, and simplistic plot probably appeals to kids but leaves the adults feeling like they were conned into watching something that is (frankly) stupid.  The concept of running away to join the circus was popular in the early 20th century but seems awkward in a 90’s setting where kids enjoy technology and skateboarding.  Not to mention the inevitable disappointment when any young viewer expects to see living dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History.  They tried to make up for the plot with big names like John Goodman (good choice, good man), Martin Short (but as a dimwitted clown with strong convictions?), Jay Leno (an awkward choice for an animated film), Julia Child (also awkward), Kenneth Mars (King Trident, stolen from Disney), Charles Fleischer (Roger Rabbit, also stolen from Disney), and Walter Cronkite.  Even with a great plot, this random group of actors (and news journalists?!?!?) would have struggled to build chemistry.  The entire film feels disjointed, pointless, and lacks the heart of Disney’s animated output.  But it has a Ferris Bueller-proportioned parade, so there’s that.  “We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story” is able to hold the attention of young kids and make them terrified of the circus, but certainly not a film that will please the entire family.  If you are really craving an animated Steven Spielberg film about dinosaurs, stick with “The Land Before Time.”

[Pictured: Cute cartoon dinosaurs running around New York City: so much potential, so much disappointment]

The Core (2003) - 4 stars out of 10

The Core (2003) - 4 stars out of 10

“The Core” is an average science fiction movie.  Emphasis on the fiction.  I really enjoyed the concept and feel that it is strongly acted, but these positive attributes are offset by the far-fetched moments that create a constant challenge to maintain our suspension of disbelief.  Following the film’s release, many scientists weighed in on the complete lack of scientific accuracy from start to finish.  While the film brings about feelings of nostalgia toward sci-fi films of old, it completely goes against the movement to bring more real science into science fiction movie.  It is laughable when comparing “The Core” to films like “Interstellar” and “Primer.”  Even with its inaccuracies, this concept probably would have fared better in an era of more advanced CGI.  Every exterior shot of the Virgil tunneling through the earth looks cartoonish, and the lava is even worse!  The effects create disconnect with the realism of the drama inside of the ship.  Unfortunately, most people miss out on the interesting social themes of the film because they are watching for the action sequences.  It makes sense that quality actors like Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Stanley Tucci, Delroy Lindo signed on to bring this script to life.  They did their part but the effects added in postproduction did not.  In the name of science fact, most critics were quick to condemn any person who enjoyed this film; however, I will pass no judgment on any person who enjoys “The Core” for its acting and feelings of nostalgia.  Just don’t try to convince anybody that this could actually happen.

[Pictured: So many good actors inside of the ship, so many bad special effects outside of the ship, and so many scientific inaccuracies jading the entire film]