Parents' Guide to

Back to the Jurassic

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Funny dino time-travel tale with some cartoonish violence.

Movie PG 2015 86 minutes
Back to the Jurassic Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

ddg13d
ddg13d Adult
August 1, 2021
age 10+

Back to the Jurassic AKA Dino Time, Unreleased Theatrical Film.

I have this to say about Back to the Jurassic AKA Dino Time. That Film was supposed to be released in Movie Theaters through the United States of America 12-07-2012. But it didn’t. Then in 2015, I was starting to be happy again, but then what happened? It only played in some half Dozen Movie Theaters in 6 or 7 States instead of premiering in Thousands of Movie Theaters in North America. Like the AMC ones. I feel like I have been betrayed. Not only that this Look alike reference of The Ice Age series has one of my favorite Dinosaurs, But one of my favorite voice talents Pamela S. Adlon & Tara C. Strong who voiced one of my favorite characters from my good old childhood times in the past. I will not rest until Back to the Jurassic AKA Dino Time is released Theatrically in America for a Month or two limited time. There, I said it. Sincerely, Dylan Geltzeiler
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In BACK TO THE JURASSIC, Ernie (another wonderful "little boy" performance by Pamela Adlon) is a challenge for his mom, the PTA Mother of the Year Sue (Jane Lynch), in the town of Terra Dino. Ernie's motto is "Breaking rules is the most important part of being a kid," and he delights in making that motto a reality. Ernie loves Terra Dino, which is famous for a spectacular dinosaur amusement park and for having the most fossil-filled tar pits anywhere. So after he's grounded for mischief-making in the town's dinosaur museum, Ernie sneaks out to BFF Max Santiago's house, followed by his annoying little sister, Julia, whose greatest joy is tattling on her brother and getting him in big trouble. Max's dad is an eccentric inventor and has created an egg-shaped time machine. Only problem is while everything seems to be in working order, the pesky time machine won't go anywhere! Leave it to Ernie and company. Soda spills on the contraption, and suddenly both boys and Julia find themselves exploding back in time to the land of prehistoric everything. A mix-up with the time machine egg "hatching" and the real egg of a powerful female T. rex, Tyra (Melanie Griffith), turns Ernie, Max, and Julia into Tyra's "kids." While back in the inventor's garage, Ernie's mom and Max's dad race to create a second time machine and rescue their errant kids. Ernie, Max, and Julia have the adventure of their lives as they battle two evil dinosaurs intent upon taking control of their T. rex mom's domain.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (2):

Kids will enjoy some very funny characters, situations, and an easy-to-follow story that is clever, well-plotted, and happily resolved. The family dynamics are relatable and positive, and everyone learns valuable lessons about expectations and behavior without preachy-ness. Performances, particularly of the kids, the over-the-top comic villains, and Rob Schneider as an incorrigible half-brother to the trio of tourists, are solid. Though the action, jeopardy, and violence all are intended as comedy, very young or sensitive kids who aren't sure about fierce, roaring dinosaurs or real-vs.-cartoon peril may find it too scary.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why time-travel movies are so popular with kids and adults. What about the concept inspires our imaginations and our sense of adventure? Which time period would you like to enter (in the past or the future)? Why?

  • What do you think made Tyra, a Tyrannosaurus rex, such a heroic character instead of a ferocious one as most T. rexes are portrayed?

  • How can this movie, aimed at kids, increase a viewer's knowledge of dinosaurs? Look up the lesser-known prehistoric "sarcosuchus" (the species that the "Sarco" brothers belonged to). Which living animal is the sarcosuchus most like? What was the Cretaceous Period? What ended that geologic age?

Movie Details

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