MY PET DINOSAUR
Australia, 2017, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jordan Dulieu, Beth Champion, Stephen Davis, Sam Winspear- Schillings, Tiriel Mora, Rowland Holmes, Darius Williams, Christopher Gabardi, Harrison Saunders, Annabel Wolfe, Joanne Samuel.
Directed by Matt Drummond.
It might be quite a surprise for an audience coming to this film without any background to discover that, while the story is American, it is actually an Australian film with locations at Wentworth Falls in New South Wales along with an Australian cast.
The director, Matt Drummond, has a particular interest, it would seem, in dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts, having made a number of documentaries about megabeasts, Prehistoric New York, as well as a feature film, children’s adventure, Dinosaur Island.
The film focuses on a young lad, Jake, a lively performance from Jordan Dulieu. His scientist father has died and Jake has many sad memories as well as a book from his father about science. His mother works in the hospital, has begun to date the local policeman, to the anger of Jake’s older brother who is prone to cause mischief around town. There is also a group of Jake’s friends, some more than a touch nerdy, and one with his own amateur television station.
Strange things have happened around town. The Army has come in, with a very stern commander, with a well-protected headquarters and his throwing his weight around. Another scientist comes to town for an investigation, bringing with him his daughter, living just across the street from Jake and his family.
Jake discovers a small creature which he keeps quietly in his room – only for it to increase in size very very rapidly. While Jake sees it as a pet, he also sees it as a science experiment, sharing it with the young girl but his group of friends soon intruding. Which leads to some mayhem with the dinosaur, with the Army, with the scientist being taken into custody by the Army.
Which, of course, leads to the youngsters mounting their own expedition against the Army and to rescue the dinosaur.
A lively adventure for younger audiences, both for boys and four girls.
1. An Australian film – an American story? Australian locations and production values?
2. The title, expectations? Family film, children’s audience, adult audiences?
3. The American town, the geographical background, homes in the street, school, the surrounding countryside, the warehouses, the military? The musical score?
4. Jake, his age, his father’s death, the mysterious background, his love of science, bequeathing that to Jake, the book? His relationship with Mike? Mike, troublesome, at school, the graffiti, the police? Jake and his friends, the new girl across the street, sharing with her at school, at home, about the dinosaur? His experiences with the creature and its growth?
5. Jake and his mother, as a nurse, the death of her husband? The policeman and his attentions, the dates and the dinner? Mike’s negative reaction? Jake coping?
6. The scientific background, the alien material, colour, chemicals, transformation? Rapid growth? Jake and his proprietary rights, giving it a name, caring for it?
7. Abby, her father and his research, seeing him in the field, collecting samples? Examination of the samples?
8. The military, the tough commander, on behalf of the government, the soldiers and his associates, the vehicles, the helicopters? Harsh stances, dominating and threatening?
9. The creature, growth, Jake caring, Abby discovering the creature, its continual increase? His friends, bravado, shock? The friends, their characters, the boy with his television network?
The boy continually hungry?
10. The creature, going into the garage, growing too big, breaking out? The discovery of other creatures?
11. The buildup to the climax, the military, the policeman and his help, the infiltration into the plant, the television network and the audiences, the rescue of Abby’s father?
12. The final confrontation, the military, the creatures? Vehicles and chases? The role of the creature and saving the humans? The revelation of the secrets? Abby’s father and the information? Aliens and experiments? The consequences for the countryside? The head of the military and his being apprehended?
13. The film and its love of science, imagination? Family story?
