Cut to the chase: The third theatrical “Paw Patrol” film is finding an end-of-summer release, offering a decent-enough time at the theater for very young fans of the crime-fighting canines. Older viewers will roll over at the tedious, sterile adventure, but “Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie” is the crossover young children have likely been waiting for, incorporating dinosaurs into a franchise adored for its earnest puppy protagonists who save the world in their high-tech trucks, planes,, and hydro vehicles.
Rhubarb in PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie from Paramount Pictures and Spinmaster.
A Prehistoric Synopsis
The Paw Patrol says sayonara to Adventure City, trading in civilization for a mysterious tropical island called Dino Island. This isn’t just any uncharted piece of land in the middle of the ocean that they stumble upon; it is, quite incredibly, home to an entire host of dinosaur species, an Isla Nublar knock-off that is a far more idyllic interpretation than its science fiction inspiration.
Led by their fearless human leader Ryder, the Paw Patrol meet a hospitable paraplegic pup named Rex, a Bernese Mountain Dog who built himself a treehouse and befriended his prehistoric neighbors. Despite a past injury that left him unable to use his hind legs, the plucky dino expert uses a high-tech wheelchair that never slows him down. Rex has learned to speak with the dinosaurs, and he has become best friends with Timmy, a T-Rex who often acts as the young dog’s faithful steed. The Paw Patrol are enamored by the discovery of this land frozen in time, and they bring in human experts to study the incredi-saurus flora and fauna.
Greed reenters the picture when former Mayor Humdinger and his Kitten Catastrophe Crew are released from prison, where they served for crimes they committed in the previous two films. Enemy number one for the Paw Patrol, Humdinger catches a televised glimpse of Dino Island and sets course to mine the plethora of diamonds protruding from the base of the island’s dormant volcano. His mountains of dynamite release more than gemstones, and the Paw Patrol must quell the lava that threatens every soul on the isle.
A Fetching Moral
“Making mistakes is how you learn to get better,” says new pup Rex at the film’s climax. “That, and never giving up.”
Each “Paw Patrol” film focuses on one of the six pooch responders in the original team. In the 2021 movie, Chase, the German Shepherd police pup, confronted internal fears that had been holding him hostage on the job. In the 2023 sequel, Skye, the Cockapoo pilot, learned that strength can come in small packages.
“The Dino Movie” belongs to Marshall, the firefighting Dalmatian with a heart of gold and two left feet. His clumsiness is Marshall’s greatest weakness and his greatest strength, forcing the pup to persevere against all odds, regardless of how many times he fails.
Marshall is depicted, both in flashbacks and during their race to save all the island’s inhabitants, as consistently missing the mark. As the lava is inching closer and closer to demolishing everyone he loves, Marshall loses his new baby T-Rex friend Rhubarb to a stampeding horde of grown dinosaurs; he watches his truck sink into the fire liquid, and he loses consciousness after plummeting onto a rocky ledge. Even still, Marshall puts one paw in front of the other to save the day. His perseverance is unmatched, and young viewers will feel a wave of joy and satisfaction when he finally triumphs.
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.
A Fetching Moral
Jurassic Bark
For those deep in the trenches of “Paw Patrol” fandom and familiar with Nick Jr. canon, Rex is not a new character. He was featured in later seasons of the “PAW Patrol” television show and “Dino Rescue” subseries. The addition of Rex to the theatrical release, however, adds some much-needed diversity that reaches a much wider audience. The dachshund Liberty contributed one more female voice in the franchise’s first feature. In “The Dino Movie”, Rex is representation for viewers with disabilities, a subgroup that is largely absent across mainstream children’s media. Even more impressive: Hayden Chemberlen, the voice of Rex, is a young boy who also uses a wheelchair in real life.
Though there are moments of danger and suspense, at no point does the film ever veer into “scary” territory. The dinosaurs are, for the most part, docile background actors with curved bodies and approachable demeanors. Humdinger is, once again, the villain of the story, which, for those who have seen enough of this blasted property, will feel like déjà vu. And not in the best way. We would love to see a new villain with new motives.
But this franchise is not for me. Nor, if you are able to read this, is it for you. It goes without saying that “Paw Patrol” has an age limit. My 8-year-old said she wasn’t impressed by any of “Dino Movie”. I can’t say I blame her. The story unfolds with harmless, sometimes forgettable flair. The stakes, while loud and urgent, do not require clairvoyance to spot the forthcoming happy ending. But my 6-year-old was still quite invested. She found Marshall’s plight heartwarming and worthy of a Cretaceous return for a third adventure on the big screen. And, most likely, that young person in your life who “yelps for help”. PAW Patrol, to the Lookout!
The detials
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action/peril
Where to Watch: In theaters Friday, August 14
Recommended Age: 4+
Runtime: 88 minutes
