The movie industry’s newest so called family friendly film, The Good Dinosaur, not only has stunning visuals, quality humor and messages of bravery and loyalty, it is surprisingly filled with many intense scenes of danger that do not seem fit for a children’s movie. This film although visually inducing, keeps viewers either heartbreakingly sad, or filled with anxiety throughout the journey.

The story takes place in an alternate universe where the asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs missed the earth, and continues to present a quiet little farm run by a family of Apatosaurus. Momma, Poppa, Buck and Libby are all great helpers, each have their own job and are an important part of life on the farm. Then there is little Arlo, the runt of the litter, just trying to help when he is of use and dreams of ‘making his mark’ alongside his brave family members. When Arlo gets washed away in a flash-flood storm, he finds himself scared, banged up and lost miles away from home. Arlo soon realizes that the enemy he sought out after in the first place, the pint-sized human named Spot, turns out to be a reliable friend, and the two begin their journey back to Claw-Toothed Mountain.

The film has gotten mixed reviews. The Good Dinosaur has definitely not done as well as Pixar had predicted. It’s still up towards the top, but it is losing relevance fast.

Statistics are as follows: “The Good Dinosaur opened on Nov. 25th. Domestic Total as of Dec. 14: $90,084,251″ published by the site BoxOfficeMojo.

The Good Dinosaur was said to be in production as of the summer of 2011. News was announced this past summer that the director was removed from the project, and the release date was to be moved to late 2016. The entire film was rewritten, reanimated, and parts even recast.

“I recorded the entire role in Good Dinosaur. They have now dismantled it and completely reimagined it, and it is a fantastic new story. So I’m gonna record again on it within the next month. Don’t worry. It’s coming and it’s gonna be better than I ever imagined.” John Lithgow said, the voice actor of the character ‘Poppa’ to Eric Eisenberg at CinemaBlend.

Once it got rolling, the movie went far. The Good Dinosaur is fully equipped with phenomenal quality effects. The animated setting is nearly indistinguishable from real life setting in South Western America. There are some amazing visual moments in The Good Dinosaur created by Spots lack of language skills. He participates through a lot of pantomiming and good facial expressions.

“The best example? Arlo, who can talk, explains the concept of family by setting representative stick figures in the sand and drawing a circle of closeness around them. Spot takes it further by doing the same and then throwing burial sand over the sticks to communicate that he’s now alone in the world. But ultimately, he’s not — he has Arlo, and Arlo has him, and their friendship is a solid core for another excellent, if intense, Pixar adventure,” Barbara Shulgas from Common Sense Media said.

This production includes quite a few traumatic events for a children’s movie. There are heartbreaking deaths, as well as many gruesome ones. Multiple terrifying storms leaving characters at the brink of drowning. Arlo and Spot encounter many sharp toothed carnivorous animals who make an attempt to eat one or both of our main characters. The constant worry and fear that the characters portray can definitely be unsettling to sensitive viewers.

Overall the poor dinosaur and his pet human faced entirely too many obstacles for the time frame of this movie. What doesn’t help is the fact that Pixar’s animation is so well done that viewers feel so in the moment during each of these horrific events, causing anxiety and fear in the children and even adult viewers. The premise of the story is interesting, but after watching Arlo and Spot face obstacle after obstacle, it gets old. The message of The Good Dinosaur about bravery and friendship it truly beautiful, but the intensity of this film is much too strong for young children.