‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’ is Dino-Mite!
What is it about a meddling kid and his pups? I know, many of your minds went right to Scooby-Doo and his friends, but when it comes to saving the day for a new generation, there’s another group that is on the case. Ryder and his trusty Paw Patrol can solve any problem that comes their way, but their latest mission will put them to the test, as they’re about to get prehistoric. What happens when you mix these canine companions with a forgotten island of dinosaurs both big and small? Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, of course!
Cal Bunker returns for this threequel, pushing out heroes into uncharted territories. Knocked off course and lost at sea, how will Ryder and his team survive amongst dinos looking for a snack? The Paw Patrol is always up for the task, but surviving comes with its own unique challenges. With a story that places fire pup Marshall front and center, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie offers both comedy and adventure that children will love, while also exploring deeper themes of connection and self-discovery for older viewers.
Does Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie manage this balancing act? Well, if my nephew’s rating of two paws up is any indicator, Paramount Pictures has successfully delivered the dinosaur film of the summer. Or at least to those 8 years and younger…
[Warning: spoilers from Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie are below!]
A whole new world for the Paw Patrol
Having saved Adventure City in the first film, and then receiving superpowers to save the world in the second, where exactly are Ryder (Henry Bolan) and his Paw Patrol headed in this third film? When Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie opens, the team is out to sea and quite literally ends up in uncharted territory. After rescuing a family from a boat fire, the Paw Patrol ends up caught in a storm, veering significantly off course and crashing into an island unlike anything that they’ve ever encountered before.
While the island doesn’t seem so removed from the rest of the world that Ryder and the pups can’t be located, that doesn’t mean it’s an entirely different world on the island. Not only does the Paw Patrol encounter a pup, Rex (Hayden Chamberlain), stranded on the island, but they also discover a world brimming with dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. However, where one would expect the prehistoric creatures to be the biggest threat that the Paw Patrol has to deal with, it’s actually an adversary from their past that returns to cause them problems.
Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) has returned to society and sets his sights on Dino Island as his next scheme. An untouched island means untapped natural resources, which, to the mustachioed man, means money. Can the Paw Patrol save Rex and the other dinosaurs on Dino Island before Mayor Humdinger causes destruction?
Striking a balance in this Paramount Pictures film
Creating an animated film geared towards children can definitely prove to be difficult in the wrong hands. Truly, a good children’s movie is one that entertains a younger audience while remaining engaging enough for the adults in the crowd. There have been countless times I’ve watched a film with my young nephews that was just an absolute slog to get through, even if they seemed to enjoy it. However, there are also plenty of times in which I’m enjoying it just as much as they are, perhaps even more.
Sometimes, it comes as a shock, much like it did with Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, as I didn’t expect to love this movie as much as I did. Was it because of my nephew’s pure joy at seeing some of his favorite characters on the big screen once again? That’s definitely a possibility, but it also boils down to the fact that Paramount Pictures has struck an exceptional balance between a heartfelt message and a fun (and funny) adventure that you can easily enjoy regardless of age.
Dino Island comes with a healthy dose of excitement as the team works with Rex to learn how an island filled with dinosaurs can still exist in a world that has long since moved past the prehistoric age. This film manages to blend science and history with a story of acceptance. Marshall struggles to accept that he’s an essential part of the team, feeling as though all he manages to do is muck things up. However, as Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie progresses, Marshall comes to understand just how important and integral he is to the team.
It’s a message delivered slowly, though not without intention, amongst the jokes and crazy antics of this adorable team, which is the perfect way to teach children an important lesson. In a world of self-doubt and mental health struggles, it’s important for children to learn that even at times when we don’t feel like we fit in, we still do, no matter what. That message is just part of what makes this film special, as even when the intensity builds during the climax, you still feel the warm, fuzzy feelings that come from another adventure with the Paw Patrol.
Final thoughts on Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
Paw Patrol has continued to find success on Nickelodeon, and their cinematic journey mirrors that perfectly. While The Dino Movie is an adaptation of one of their previous seasons, everything about the Paw Patrol on the silver screen feels grander. Between the dinosaurs, a new pup, and the soul-searching of Marshall, there’s something special for each and every audience member that walks into the cinema.
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie is currently in theaters! Planning on taking the little ones in your life to see it? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
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