PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Review: A Prehistoric Adventure That Feels Like Thunderbirds for a New Generation

If you have ever wondered what would happen if the PAW Patrol pups were dropped onto a dinosaur-infested island, well, someone at Nickelodeon apparently asked that exact question.

In PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, the pups find themselves in their biggest adventure yet after their ship is caught in a mysterious storm and they crash-land on a tropical island filled with dinosaurs. There they meet Rex, a stranded pup who has spent years surviving on the island and has become an expert on its prehistoric inhabitants.

Things take a turn when the ever-problematic Mayor Humdinger begins mining the island for its natural resources. His plans accidentally trigger a massive dormant volcano, putting the entire island and its dinosaurs in danger. The PAW Patrol now has to pull off its biggest rescue mission yet before the island’s inhabitants become extinct.

And honestly, for a kids’ movie, a surprising amount is going on here.

The biggest selling point is obviously the dinosaurs. The movie throws the pups into a prehistoric playground filled with enormous creatures, volcanic danger, and plenty of rescue opportunities. The setup gives the familiar PAW Patrol formula a fresh coat of Jurassic paint without completely abandoning what makes the franchise work.

There is action, teamwork, colorful animation, and enough danger to keep younger audiences glued to the screen. The film is rated PG for mild action and peril, but its overall tone remains firmly aimed at younger viewers.

For me, the movie feels like Thunderbirds for a new generation. You’ve got a team of specialized characters, cool vehicles, elaborate rescue missions, and a constant parade of increasingly ridiculous situations that require everyone to work together. The technology and animation have obviously evolved, but that spirit of watching a team spring into action is very much alive.

Then there is Rex. Rex is a stranded pup who has apparently been living on the island for years and has become an expert on dinosaurs. The character also uses a wheeled mobility device, making his introduction an important piece of representation for the franchise.

But here’s where my brain started asking questions.

How did this pup survive alone with dinosaurs for years?! Seriously.

The movie introduces Rex almost like we’re supposed to accept that he has been living out a Swiss Family Robinson existence in the middle of Dinosaur Island, surrounded by prehistoric creatures, while also dealing with limited mobility.

And I’m sitting there thinking, Wait… what the hell, man?

The film gives us the “he’s been here for years” explanation, but I wanted more of his backstory. How did he get there? How did he build his life? How did he learn so much about the dinosaurs? How did he manage to survive all that time?

Rex is an interesting addition to the PAW Patrol universe, but his history feels like an entire movie that happened before this movie.

Mayor Humdinger Does What Mayor Humdinger Does. Of course, no PAW Patrol adventure would be complete without Mayor Humdinger finding a way to make everything considerably worse. His decision to mine the island’s resources ultimately causes the dormant volcano to erupt, turning what could have been a simple dinosaur adventure into a full-blown disaster movie. It gives the pups plenty to do, and the volcanic eruption provides some of the film’s biggest action sequences.

The stakes are also appropriately scaled for the younger audience. The island is in serious danger, but the movie never becomes so dark that it stops feeling like a PAW Patrol adventure.Fun, Fast and Made for Kids

Let’s be clear about something: this is absolutely a kids’ movie. And that’s not a criticism. PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie knows exactly who its audience is. The story is straightforward, the characters are recognizable, the action is constant, and the dinosaurs provide the kind of spectacle that is almost impossible for a young kid to resist. The movie also delivers some positive themes involving teamwork, courage, perseverance, and problem-solving.

For parents taking younger children to the theater, there is plenty here to keep them entertained. For adults? Well, let’s just say you may find yourself occasionally staring at the screen wondering about the logistics of Rex’s island survival.

Final Verdict

PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie isn’t trying to reinvent animation, and it doesn’t need to.

It takes the familiar PAW Patrol formula, throws in dinosaurs, a volcano, a new pup, and a giant rescue mission, then hits the gas pedal.

For me, the biggest missed opportunity is Rex. He’s an interesting character, but the movie gives us just enough of his backstory to make me want answers to a whole lot of questions. His years of surviving alone on a dinosaur island could have been fascinating.

Still, the movie is fun, energetic, and exactly the kind of big-screen adventure younger PAW Patrol fans are going to enjoy.

For me, it feels like Thunderbirds for a new generation, with adorable rescue pups replacing the International Rescue team and dinosaurs replacing… well, pretty much everything else.

Final Score: 4 out of 10

It’s not a movie I’d recommend to everyone, but if you’ve got young PAW Patrol fans in the house, this is a great kids’ movie and an enjoyable watch. The little ones are going to have a blast, and honestly, sometimes that’s the entire mission.