Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Good Dinosaur Adoption Movie Review
This review is sponsored by Bethany Christian Services. We believe every child deserves a loving family. Learn more about our adoption, counseling, and post-adoption services:
Henry and Ida have welcomed three new hatchlings into their
Apatosaurus family. Buck is wild, Libby is mischievous, and Arlos is very, very
timid. Henry and Ida have built a silo to keep other animals from eating their
corn. They have each placed their footprint on the silo. Their children want to
do so as well, but they are stopped. Henry and Ida say that they each have to prove
themselves before they can leave their mark. Buck and Libby succeed quickly,
but Arlo’s timidity keep him from earning a mark on the wall. He is dejected.
Henry tries to create a successful situation for Arlo, and together they set
off to track down the animal that has been eating their food. Arlo experiences
loss on this journey, and then must work to process his loss, establish his identity,
and make his mark.
*SPOILERS AHEAD The rest of the way*
The Adoption
Connection
While Arlo and his father are out on the quest to earn Arlo’s
mark, Arlo’s father is killed by a torrential wave. Arlo eventually ends up
journeying, alone, with his only friend being the boy who he blames for his
father’s death. He must avoid unscrupulous strangers who mean him harm in order
to make it back to his family. Near the end of his journey, Arlo sends the boy,
Spot, to go be with other humans; he implies that family means being with your
own kind. They tearfully separate.
Before sending Spot to live with other humans, Arlo starts
to lead Spot away from them, promising Spot food and a bed, and a place on the
farm.
Strong Points
Both Arlo and Spot have lost family members. They powerfully
symbolize what they’ve experienced by creating an artistic definition of
family, and then howling their grief. It is a powerful scene, and a pretty
accurate representation of a healthy way to acknowledge loss and mourn.
Arlo receives good advice from his father, “Sometimes you’ve
got to get through your fear to see the beauty on the other side.” Another character
affirms that, “You can’t get rid of fear. But you can get through it.”
Arlo is able to befriend the person he had previously blamed
for his father’s death
Challenges
The film seems to imply that family is only determined by
genetics; even though Arlo and Spot have been through much together, Arlo sends
Spot to live with other humans with whom Spot does not have a relationship
because they’re humans.
Arlo has been traumatized by seeing his father’s death, and
he is bothered by intrusive visions of it. My wife, a psychologist, noted that
this is a pretty accurate portrayal of PTSD.
In a way, Arlo’s dad did die because Arlo hadn’t earned his
mark. Also, it’s very easy to imagine Arlo feeling excluded by being the only
family member not allowed to add their mark to the family silo, and kids who’ve
been adopted might be particularly sensitive to feeling excluded, or themes of
conditional love.
Arlo seems to take responsibility for his family’s survival.
He promises his mother that he won’t let the family starve.
Arlo becomes lost, separated from his home and his family. His
feelings of fear might be familiar, but also might be troubling, to kids who’ve
been in foster care.
One macho character recounts his acts of bravery; one story
is a bit gruesome as he boasts of a time when he defeated a crocodile, “I
drowned that croc in my own blood.” It’s exaggerated for humorous effect, but
some kids might take it literally and be bothered by it.
Weak Points
Arlo’s brother calls him a coward, and it’s obvious that
this cuts Arlo to the heart.
Some animals are eaten on screen by others; one insect’s
head is ripped off.
Arlo’s life is threatened a couple times, as is the life of
Spot.
Recommendations
The Good Dinosaur shows a young character experiencing, mourning,
and recovering from loss. It shows the place of fear much as Inside Out showed
the place of sadness. Elements of separation from family might make the film
too sad for kids who remember being separated from loved ones, or for kids who
have been in foster care. The film is emotionally intelligent, though, and
captures grief and PTSD pretty well. If kids aren’t triggered by what they see,
this film could provide a good opportunity for parents to talk about some powerful
emotions regarding loss and fear. The scene of Arlo’s father dying might make
this one better suited to kids 10 and up, with parents present.
Questions for
Discussion
Who is in your family circle?
Were Spot and Arlo family, or only
friends? How can you tell?
This review was sponsored by Bethany Christian Services. We believe every child deserves a loving family. Learn more about our adoption, counseling, and post-adoption services:
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