We're Back: A Dinosaur's Story

There are a lot of old movie gems that it is hard to find in day to day happenings.  This past weekendI went grocery shopping and at the checkout I happened to see a movie behind one of the magazines.  being the movie addict that I am, I of course looked to see what it was and lo and behold it was We're Back!  I admittedly squealed with glee and of course added it to my purchases!  Liam was a bit hesitant to watch this movie but it did have dinosaurs so I was able to sneak it on without too much of a fight.

In case you missed out on this awesome movie with an all-star voice cast, let me tell you a little bit about it.  We're Back is a 1993 animated Sci-Fi adventure movie that was released by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation animated studio.  It was created based on the 1987 children's book of the same name written by Hudson Talbott (which I totally want to read now).   The story is about 4 dinosaurs that are given a brain grain cereal which makes them smart and able to talk and be kind to people and then they are brought back to "modern day" New York.  A giant helium balloon of Rex was flown in the actual 1993 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but midway through the head was popped, but the body made it to the end. 

The all star cast includes:
John Goodman (Monster's Inc, Roseanne, Argo, Community, SNL, West Wing, Blue's Brothers)
Rhea Perlman (Cheers, Matilda)
Jay Leno (Tonight Show, Jay Leno Show, Fairly OddParents)
Larry King (Larry King Live, Larry King Now)
Walter Cronkite (Great Performances, ESPN SportsCentury, Biography, CBS Evening News)
Charles Fleischer (Zodiac, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Kenneth Mars (Land Before Time Series, Malcom in the Middle, Little Mermaid, Pink Panther)
Yeardley Smith (Simpsons, Dharma & Greg, City Slickers)
Martin Short (Cat in the Hat, Frankenweenie, SNL, Primetime Glick, Santa Clause Series)
Julia Child the famous chef

 Originally John Malkovich was scheduled to play Dr. Screweyes but left due to constant rewrite and due to executive meddling from this movie, he ended up leaving Hollywood for a few years to do only International productions.

The film received mixed reviews, mostly on the negative side citing poor narration as a number one problem.  Pizza hut did carry a line of toys and video games were made featuring different adaptions for every format which had nothing to do with the original story.  The film grossed $3.7 million opening weekend and overall ended with $9.3 million making it a box office bomb movie. 

Overall I have to admit that I liked this movie more as a child, but the nostalgia is still there and I still find it entertaining.  It is an incredibly short movie in terms of children's movies today at a run time of only 80 minutes.  I give this movie a solid 3.  The animation is fine, but nothing special.  I love John Goodman, so that made me like the movie more and the voices are fun with all of the stars.  The story is a bit choppy and features some elements that are a bit dark for children (a scary circus, dinosaurs portrayed as being scary).  It does however provide the lessons that running away to the circus is bad, wishes can come true, and that love can change a person for the better.) If nothing else you need to watch it for John Goodman's singing :)