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Simply A Masterpiece

As Good As It Gets

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Whilst building a harbour on a Caribbean island, construction workers discover two perfectly preserved dinosaurs—a brontosaurus and a T-Rex—frozen under the sea for millions of years. After being brought ashore, the prehistoric creatures thaw out and are struck by lightning during a storm, bringing them back to life. As the beasts wander the island, looking for food, construction boss Bart Thompson (Ward Ramsey) tries to ensure the safety of the islanders. Meanwhile, a neanderthal (Gregg Martell), who has also emerged from the ocean, befriends local boy Julio (Alan Roberts) and protects him from his wicked guardian Hacker (Fred Engelberg).Dinosaurus! is the one in which the 'cute' kid (ie., thoroughly irritating brat) and the caveman ride on the back of the brontosaurus, putting the audience squarely in family territory—good clean fun with very little to seriously scare the young 'uns. The juvenile nature of the film, along with some naff neanderthal-based comedy, make it just a little too cloying at times, but as a fan of dinosaur movies in general, and especially those that make use of stop motion animation, I couldn't help but be entertained. Yes, the animation is a long way from Harryhausen standard, and there's some even worse puppetry, but it still proves to be a reasonably decent dose of mindless fun. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the film also features two helpings of eye candy—tasty blonde Betty (Kristina Hanson) and dusky island beauty Chica (Lucita Blain)—to hold one's attention whenever the dinos are off-screen.

So what can you say about a movie where the best actor is a caveman who only grunts. Okay, I exaggerate, but not by much. Actually, in what appears a pick up cast, only Kristina Hanson (Betty) seems really challenged. And speaking of cavemen, Gregg Martell deserves a prehistoric Oscar, especially when he dives headfirst to escape modern woman putting on her makeup, a truly horrifying sight.Kudos to producer-director Yeaworth. Not many movie-makers make it from the pulpit to the drive-in, but he did, starting with the hugely successful The Blob (1958) with Steve McQueen leading a posse of frantic hot-rodders. So what do you do following a gob of quivering jello on a man-eating rampage. I guess you go to the Carribbean where frozen critters have been waiting a million years for defrost so they can go on a man-eating rampage of their own. Whew! Am I glad for a construction crew that really knows how to deliver a knockout punch, even if they are sometimes led by a guy named Dumpy.Sure, a lot of the action is pretty cheesy, but when did we guys at the drive-in care while knocking back a six-pack or getting hormonal with the girls. Besides, show me any big-time Hollywood flick with anyone funnier than our befuddled caveman. In my book, his hilarious encounter with a livingroom is truly inspired and worth the whole time. Too bad Yeaworth went back to the pulpit. He may not have been Warner Bros. or MGM, but he sure could give drive-in champ Roger Corman a run for his money. I'm just wondering how he could have followed this Neanderthal special. Maybe with a herd of man-eating cattle that attack Sizzler and The Outback. Now, that's really scary.

This film MIGHT have worked had they not decided to include a cute kid in the plot. So, instead of being a typical dinosaur rampage film, it's focused too much on the kid--a definite mistake in hindsight. I hate saccharine, and this film often borders on it.The film begins with the discovery of two frozen dinosaurs. The cute kid asks whether or not they are still alive, and the audience already knows the answer considering the title of the film! However, in a twist I was not anticipating, a caveman also washes ashore and the cavedude and the kid soon become friends. Frankly, the caveman and kid weren't needed for the plot and too little time was spent watching the dinosaurs on the rampage.As for the dinosaurs, generally they looked like a poor but serviceable imitation of the dinosaurs of Ray Harryhausen. However, in a few scenes, they used actual lizards--not a good decision in hindsight. While they looked more realistic, they also clearly looked like lizards--not dinosaurs.Now the caveman, though not necessary for the film, was pretty nice. He and the boy became friends and the cavedude quickly picked up on who were the good guys and who were not. Time and again, he saves the cute kid...and I felt nauseous. Frankly, if I watch a 50s or 60s horror film, I want horror--not schmaltz. Too much emphasis on the kid was a mistake and this is NOT a film for anyone wanting horror or sci-fi. In fact, it's not for anyone.

I must confess that I, a middle-aged "adult," learned a valuable life lesson from the juvenile film "Dinosaurus." That lesson is, if you're ever building a harbor on a Caribbean island, and dredge up a perfectly preserved T. Rex and brontosaurus from below the ocean floor, do NOT leave them lying on the beach during a thunderstorm, as a freak bolt of lightning may revive them and lead to all sorts of trouble. Yes, that's just what happens in this cute little film, with the added attraction of a grunting, Alley Oop-like caveman getting revived as well. This Neanderthal is basically used for comedic effect, especially when he invades a modern house on the island and runs afoul of waxed fruit, mirrors and up-to-date plumbing. Gregg Martell, I must say, is perfectly cast as this confused misfit. Less impressive, however, are the two dinosaurs. This is no "Jurassic Park" or Ray Harryhausen movie, and the creature FX are unconvincing; a serious suspension of disbelief will be required for adult viewers. The kiddies should just eat this one up, though. There's a cute little boy character for them to sympathize with (he befriends the bronto, and even rides atop him!); one, fortunately, who's not overly annoying for older viewers. The bottom line is that "Dinosaurus" is good, goofy fun; put your brain on hold and enjoy it, preferably with your kids or your young nephew. Oh...as for that title, it's what one of the characters, Dumpy(!), yells when the T. Rex approaches. Don't ask me why.