Super Dinosaur
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Action-packed comics-inspired series has tense battles.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Super Dinosaur
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In SUPER DINOSAUR, young crime fighter Derek Dynamo (voiced by Valin Shinyea) teams up with his best dinosaur pal, Super Dinosaur (Mac Heywood), to thwart the dastardly scientist Max Maximus (Marco Soriano) and his army of genetically engineered Dino-Men. Maximus invented a powerful substance called Dynore, but Derek and the Earthcore team -- including his brilliant but slightly addled father, Dr. Dexter Dynamo (Alessandro Juliani) -- are determined to keep him from using it for his own evil gain. Together with the Kingston family, the Dynamos match wits and might with Maximus's genetically engineered warriors and other villains who stand in the way of peace.
Is It Any Good?
This wild series is all action all the time, thanks mostly to the constant "on"-ness of its main character, Derek. The kid never slows down, not even when he's chilling at home with Super Dinosaur or hanging out with his dad. Instead of being a drain on viewers' interest, though, Derek's energy keeps the action rolling even when the battle scenes are over. He's also a master of one-liners, which he throws out even as he's dishing out physical punishment in battle scenes, adding much humor to the show.
Super Dinosaur's mix of human and hybrid dino-human characters opens the door for some intriguing personalities and relationships, but the one that stands out most of all is that of Derek and his dad, which often reverses the assumed roles of caregiver and tended. As Dexter's history with Maximus is revealed slowly and the mystery of his ailment are explained, Derek's care for his father remains a constant that allows the elder Dynamo to continue his important work for the team.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Super Dinosaur. Does it serve a purpose? Would the show be as entertaining without it? How does it compare to what you see in other shows you watch?
How does technology serve an invaluable purpose in Earthcore's efforts to defeat the villains in the story? Are there any limits to what they can invent or how they can use the gadgets they make? How much of what you see could relate to real life, and what aspects are based on fantasy?
How effectively does Derek solve problems? How do they demonstrate good teamwork? What other character strengths stand out to you in the people in the story?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 6, 2019
- Cast: Valin Shinyei , Mac Heywood , Alessandro Juliani
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Dinosaurs , Superheroes
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: June 21, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate