The Good Dinosaur - B-

Rated PG, 100 minutes

"The Good Dinosaur" is the other Disney Pixar film for this year, and the lesser one as well, with the unfortunate distinction of being released in the same year as the vastly superior "Inside Out." The uneven but enjoyable "Dinosaur" is painted on a slightly different Pixar palette, a very familiar and simpler one but still entertaining, especially for the very young set. "The Good Dinosaur" takes you on an epic journey into an alternate world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend he names Spot (Jack Bright). While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of. The alternate world of "The Good Dinosaur," in which dinosaurs have somehow survived the extinction, is a visually rich, predictable look at family, bravery and survival, all themes covered by Pixar before with sturdier characters and story. Directed and co-written by Pixar animator and voice actor Peter Sohn, "The Good Dinosaur" was scheduled for release last year but delayed due to story problems, which show particularly in the problematic middle act that oddly embodies more Old Western sensibilities than the Stone Age. As well, it may take some adjustments given the faux realism of the backgrounds that appear if the characters are walking around in front a screen, which only enhances its cartoony aspects, not to mention those landscapes are clearly modeled after California and Arizona. Still, even with its story and character flaws, there are some tender moments and ones of beauty too that only Pixar can accomplish with so much skill (yes, those fireflies are pretty cool to watch), and it has a stellar voice cast including the leads as well as Jeffrey Wright, Anna Paquin, Francis McDormand and the very familiar Sam Elliott. Part "Ice Age," part "Croods" with a little "An American Tale" thrown in, "The Good Dinosaur" is a lesser but still pleasant Pixar entry the whole family will enjoy. It comes with a sweet, memorable animated Pixar short "Sanjay's Super Team" directed by Pixar animator Sanjay Patel.