When I first read the filmmaker’s description of Dinonauts, I had to admit that I had something completely different in mind. I thought I was about to get a whacky, live-action, modern sci-fi comedy with disillusioned teenage hipster dinosaurs and possibly some sort of star-crossed lovers subplot involving astronaut Michael Cera and alien barista Ana de Armas. Boy, was I wrong!
Ever wonder what super-beings ruled our solar system before humans came about? Dinonauts began a long, long time ago, 65 million years to be precise, in a galaxy far, far aw… Well, no, actually it was right here, on our own planet. We begin in the Cretaceous period (the time of the dinosaurs) on Earth. The first character we meet is not Luke Skywalker, but an albino Ape named Rufus (director Distrakt). He’s foraging for breakfast when he finds a dinosaur egg that he gets ready to turn into an omelet. Unfortunately for his stomach, the egg cracks and a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex pops out. Being that Rufus is holding the egg, this means he is now the dino’s daddy. This is when “the thing” happens. You know, the thing that happened 65 million years ago and wiped out the mega-monsters that ruled planet Earth at the time. But, what luck – an alien ship beams up both Rufus and his dino-baby just as the meteor is about to strike, saving them both.
“An albino ape named Rufus…finds a dinosaur egg…and a baby T-Rex pops out.”
Once he wakes aboard the ship, Rufus sets out to find the dino and encounters aliens planting an alien brain in him. He rolls the aliens, finishes the brain implant himself, and takes off with his new alien-dino child on an adventure sure to leave your light saber spinning. The T-Rex decides to name himself Trexx (Saint Ranson). Along the way, they assemble a team of super-beings, warriors, and general chaos (that’s not one of their names) with a goal of defeating an evil dominion that controls our entire solar system. But, one question begs to be answered throughout. Who is Trexx, really? This is what needs to be solved before they can save the solar system.
Dinonauts is a fully animated Star Wars-esque space epic aimed at kids, complete with 1970s-style artwork. It looks to me like it was based on hand-drawn art, which was then animated digitally. Included are references to not just Star Wars and other classic space sci-fi, but also Rocky and even a bit of a style similarity to 1981’s Heavy Metal (which is not for kids). Distrakt (director Omar Jones) states that this film was created over a nine or 10-year period in his studio, which is conveniently located in his garage, making for an easy commute to work each morning. Anybody who puts this type of time and care into creating a piece of art, or an entire film’s worth of frames, deserves our praise for their sheer dedication, creativity, and work ethic. This is a piece of art created out of pure love for the genre and the medium.
If you’re a kid who’s into 1970s animation, dramatic space operas, and dinosaurs, Dinonauts may just be for you. Or even if you’re just an adult who thinks you’re a kid. Now that I think about it, I really want to see that Michael Cera/Ana de Armas joint as well. Maybe Distrakt can get on that one next.
For screening information, visit the Dinonauts‘ official website.
"…a piece of art created out of pure love for the genre and the medium."
