PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Review: A paw-some pre-school pleasure
Along with classics like Team Umizoomi, Little Einsteins, and Bluey, PAW Patrol has been one of my favorite kids' shows. It's always been one that, even as an adult, I can get enjoyment out of (especially when watching it with my little cousins!). So? I grabbed a booster seat, buckled it on up, and took three of my little cousins to the theater! So, did this live up to the TV show as a fun kids movie? Or did it crumble under the weight of being too aggressively juvenile or brainrot sludge-like? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be discussing in today's review. Thanks so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy your time on the site!
First, let's get into the negatives. I think the movie could use a bit more character development, which I also feel about the show. Even the best episodic shows can balance good character arcs, even kids' shows. However, I know comparing PAW Patrol to Ratatouille makes no sense. PAW Patrol is specifically for preschool-age kids, after all. And, well, it's perfect at being for its target audience.
Don't worry: I'm not saying this film gets a free pass on quality because it's for kids. After all, it prioritizes foundational social-emotional learning and basic problem-solving, which is especially effective at an early developmental stage. While something like Ratatouille can be enjoyed by really little kids, it can't be completely understood: PAW Patrol is wonderful for that reason.
The film also could've used a bit more villainous presence from the dinosaurs. Like, maybe one or two evil dinos who bullied the other ones. I liked that they were nice overall, but... Come on, kids want slightly scary dino action, too! Also, the film could've tried a little harder to follow some semblance of the laws of physics, because my six-year-old cousin shouldn't have to constantly yell at a TV screen, confused. Don't worry, he only did this with the knowledge that the four of us were the only ones in the theater; he's not just a gremlin-esque menace to society.
My final major complaint is that the rest of the Patrol feels over-sidelined compared to Marshall. I'm not saying I don't want it to obviously be his movie, but I can't even remember Zuma having a single line of dialogue. Maybe 8 more minutes of movie where the doggos got to talk would add a lot—especially for Rex, who should've been equally front-and-center to Marshall, if not more so.
All that said, I was thoroughly surprised by how well this movie did. First, it captured the whimsy of dinosaurs and their island really well. This is especially apparent in the great music. Of course, the puppies are as good as they always have been in the show, and the fun self-contained story works as well as it always has.
While the fact they used the same voice actors for the younger puppies was highly questionable, the flashback scene where Marshall is recruited for the Patrol and how it plays into the film's simple yet effective theme of not giving up was one of my favorite parts.
The action here was also decently thrilling and more tense than a Paw Patrol flick has any right to be. The best part? Humdinger. Of course. The dude is literally a legendary villain. He's the cartooniest, campiest son of a gun to ever exist, and I love it. His entourage of cats and goofy groupies who join him on the island are really funny. The dynamite brother was epic, too. Who knew the PAW Patrol: Dino Movie could have such fire villains.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 70%
Letter Score: B+
Star Ranking: 3.5 out of 5
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie isn't pretending to be anything but a kids' movie, but I still had a blast. With lightning-fast action, dinosaur whimsy, a drought of potty humor, moving flashbacks, and a legendary group of villains, PAW Patrol continues to prove its dominion as one of my most cherished kids' franchises. This is one of these movies I won't mind watching with my future kids.
Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some other animated movies? Check them out below!
Brighton Nelson
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