The Good Dinosaur

“The Good Dinosaur” just might add up exactly to the sum of its parts. Incredible animation, emotional gut punches and a well toned theme help disguise a plot that at times seems as lost as the protagonist.

Confusion abounds at times during “The Good Dinosaur,” though I can’t get into it without offering what would be at least mild spoilers. Sufficed to say, Pixar knew exactly the themes it wanted to convey and exactly what it wanted you to feel — the studio just seemed a bit divided on how it wanted to get there.

It’s a reinvention of a boy-and-his-horse tale, sure, and it’s also a coming of age story. There’s a bit of an odd-couple vibe to it, as well, but “The Good Dinosaur” thrives when it keys in on bravery. Arlo, the cowardly son of a brave apatosaurus, faces his fears and goes through a wild journey in what’s sort of a dinosaur western.

As if often the case in Pixar films, side characters steal the show. A family of T-Rex cowboys help shepherd Arlo and Spot (his human companion) across the plains of prehistoric Montana while stealing the scenes of the best act of the film. It’s here where “The Good Dinosaur” feels the most comfortable — sitting around a campfire with dinosaurs telling war stories.

For its faults in storytelling, there’s no shortage of emotional payoff. The ending leaves something to be desired, but you root for Arlo and Spot throughout. There’s something about his story, a key humanness that is found in all Pixar films, that raises “The Good Dinosaur” above its own doldrums and makes it a worthy installment in a the beloved Pixar catalog.

Rating: 4/5