Bizarre Dinosaurs
Common Sense says
- NR
- 2009
- 48 minutes
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What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Bizarre Dinosaurs is a 2009 National Geographic documentary that will please dinosaur-lovers of all ages. In paleontologists' quest to determine the reasons for certain unusual anatomical adaptations in some of the animals, "display," that is, attracting the opposite sex, is frequently examined and a few brief sequences of modern animals mating are shown. Scientists also debate body parts made for defense and attack, and some computer-generated scenarios demonstrate how such parts might have been used in fighting, but no blood is shown.
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What's the story?
Scientists featured in BIZARRE DINOSAURS enthusiastically discuss reasoning for their positions on the evolution of dinosaurs' bodies. Many body adaptations remain unexplained as researchers try to figure the role plates, spikes, thick heads, short arms, and long necks may have played in the health and well-being of a particular species. Were long necks useful for reaching food on high branches or for wooing members of the opposite sex? Were multi-horned heads or extra thick heads useful for fighting or scaring off predators, or rather for fighting rivals for the right to mate? Computer-generated animation shows imagined, fully-fleshed animals roaming the earth, eating and fighting, based on educated guesses that fossils have suggested.
Is it any good?
At 48 minutes, this is a perfect length for budding young paleontologists to absorb and enjoy. Differing arguments among scientists about why dinosaurs looked the way they looked leave open to young viewers the option to argue their own opinions and try out their own theories. Bizarre Dinosaurs makes it clear that there are many questions still to be answered, and young viewers may be inspired to make their own helpful discoveries to add to what's known about animals that were kings of the earth millions of years ago. Adding to the interest, paleontologists are seen digging in the ground, examining fossil cat scans in labs, and molding plaster models of what some dinosaurs might have looked like.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why dinosaurs are so fascinating. Why are people curious about these creatures? Did you learn anything new from Bizarre Dinosaurs?
Theories on their extinction include asteroid impact, volcanic eruptions, deadly plague, or perhaps all three. What's your guess?
Had they lived, what do you think dinosaurs would look like now?
Movie details
- In theaters: October 11, 2009
- On DVD or streaming: February 9, 2010
- Director: Jenny Kubo
- Studio: Disney+
- Genre: Documentary
- Character strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 48 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 31, 2020
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