Isaac Walker
The Dinotopia miniseries (presented as four hour movie on DVD release) brings to life the whimsical, and presents some of the most beautifully realised fantasy seen on television even today. The special effects of this 2002 mini series stand the test of time today - slowly ageing, but they are by absolutely wonderful set design and costuming that keep them enjoyable. One must remember this is a made for TV series, and in the context of the badly done things Syfy churns out today and the age of Dinotopia, this series features amazing VFX for TV.Waterfall City is still one of the most beautiful fictional cities ever, and the costuming and VFX filled the world of Dinotopia with life. The society that is showed to the viewers eyes is simultaneously believable and awe-inspiring. This is what makes Dinotopia so enjoyable; the stunning society the plot takes place in.The plot of this series is far from revolutionary, the acting by the main character's actors is flawed and not perfect, but massively improves quite a bit after episode one. Zippo remains one of my favourite supporting characters, but the whole supporting cast was fabulous and really helped to build the wonderful world that is Dinotopia.As I understand it (having not read the books) this work does simplify Gurney's world, but it certainly achieves making a four hour marathon quite enjoyable. Further, Wentworth Miller had his earliest role in Dinotopia, and it is great to watch him as David Scott.Much of the criticism seems to stem from people not liking Dinotopia's government system (which even the series shows is flawed and I don't understand how that cripples your enjoyment of a fantasy work) and Zippo resembling Jar Jar Binks (but while sometimes serving as comic relief, Zippo has real heart and is an intellectual).
James Birch
I first watched Dinotopia when it aired in 2002. I thought it was great. Now, 8 years later, when I look back at it and watch it again, I can see the flaws and plot holes clearly.First I would like to address the characterization and acting. Wentworth Miller as David Scott was absolutely dreadful. The character was poorly written and predictable, and the acting was horrible. Everything David said was the same; boring, dry, and bland. Karl's actor was also pretty horrible, but at least he was slightly interesting. Rosemary, the Matriarch, was annoying and a bit scary, but at least her actress was decent and her character slightly sensible.Mayor Waldo was possibly one of my favorite characters. He was a bustling, obese, pompous, and smug man, however, considering the society of Dinotopia (which I'll get to later), he was a perfect Mayor. Marion was dreadful. Completely dreadful. The actress was decent looking, but she was just a terrible actress, completely devoid of any emotion other than disapproval. Zipeau was an entertaining character, and his voice suited him perfectly. He had good lines and decent characterization. Oonu, the Skybax Captain's actor was perfect for the role, and Oonu's character is decent. Romona Denison is good looking, brave, but rather devoid of emotion, much like most of the characters in the series. Frank Scott, the main protagonist's father, wasn't on screen enough to merit much negative or positive feedback, but I will give him a clap on the back for having to endure acting with those two horrid lead actors.I am saving the best for last. The best character in this depressing mini-series had to be Cyrus Crabb, the "villain", played by an excellent actor, David Thewlis. Cyrus Crabb was unpredictable, exciting, and dynamic. Our perception of him was always changing. At the beginning, he was just (quoting Karl; one of the best quotes in the movie) "a weird old man with a limp and a few sticks of dynamite", helpful, eccentric, and slightly odd. Characters frequently say they don't trust Cyrus, including David at the Chandara Bus Station early in the first part, and at first, I have to agree with Crabb's query of "What's not to trust?" which generally shuts Marion up later in the series when she blatantly states that she doesn't trust him as if he's not present. Later in the series, when Cyrus finds Karl in Waterfall City, Cyrus seems to empathize with him. Cyrus's shop is very interesting, which brings the subject of his costume and surroundings. Cyrus is an ugly, greasy man, I must say. However, his beautiful (you won't catch me saying that word often) rose-patterned coat is envious, if not a little whacky. I won't go into the details of Crabb's backstory, as this paragraph is already far too long, but I have to say that Crabb is an amazing character who is very easy to get to know and identify with. Dinotopian society is awful, even though it looks great at first glance. Cyrus sees through these delusions, and wants a way out. He uses the boys to get down to the Sunstone Cave in the World Beneath by gaining their trust in a peculiar way. In the World Beneath (the geography of which is very confusing), Cyrus acts almost the hero, piloting the sub and finding the sunstones himself, seemingly securing the hope of Dinotopia. Cyrus's smart remarks and intelligent personality, along with his conflicting interests and murky past, make him an amazing character, as I've said numerous times before. Finally, when Cyrus turns on the boys and threatens to leave them behind in the World Beneath I say, "Why not?" After all, his point was valid; Time's running out for the people in Waterfall City, he can't take the boys and the sunstones, and the submarine can't make a second trip. Plus, Crabb is the only one who knows how to pilot the submarine. I'll admit that Crabb's actions in the World Beneath (beating up both Karl and David, which, I must say, was odd since Crabb is an old man with one wooden leg, and David and Karl are both healthy, strong young men, and yet he defeats them single-handedly with his walking stick) were unwarranted and hasty. However, they were necessary to save Dinotopia. One thing that does bother me was a few of Crabb's earlier lines. "Oh, I'm going. As soon as I find enough treasure to make me King of the World, I'm going." and "I know the way to the sunstone cave, AND THE WAY OUT OF DINOTOPIA." which makes me think he might have thought of using the sunstones to secure his fortunes in the outside world and free himself from Dinotopia at last. Cyrus Crabb is an interesting character as I've said before, and since you're all probably getting sick of this endless adoration, I'll wrap this up quickly. Karl's little stunt in the cave after Cyrus leaves in the submarine was just cruel (everyone knows how difficult it is to escape a sinking submarine, especially with a wooden leg) and Cyrus's fate was just awful, and any that say it was his comeuppance, no one, not even a scoundrel like Cyrus, deserves that.The geography of Dinotopia was a bit screwy, especially since the Scott family jumped into a pool of water and somehow swam up to the temple swamp. How Frank and Karl got the sunstones to Waterfall City in the finale, I have no idea. Trevor Jones's score is absolutely beautiful, I especially love the music when Cyrus, David, and Karl find the sunstone cave. Dinotopian society was horrible, not exactly utopian.Despite it's plot holes, bad acting, and weird CGI Dinosaurs, Dinotopia was a masterpiece, mainly because of the lessons it teaches. Cyrus Crabb was the best villain I have ever seen, and David Thewlis played the part extremely well. Overall, Dinotopia was a good attempt at something with great potential.
vip_ebriega
My Take: An underrated and pricey blockbuster of a TV miniseries. I really liked this 3-part mini-series. It was really an awe-inspiring and fantastic mini-series. Now I'm not saying this because I'm a dinosaur fan as a kid, but also as an observant movie viewer. I mean, as I can see it, it was one of the more big-budgeted production by TV's Hallmark Channel, mostly known for their adaptations of classic and contemporary tales. The special-effects were great, superb for something that was made for TV. The costumes really suit the environment. The large-scale sets, mostly evident, is really large-scale. It was like it came out of a Cecil B. DeMille's production or from the books by James Gurney, which it was based on. But special-effects and production designs aren't the only elements that elevates it as a large-scale movie. The acting is kinda good to. Although the cast is not as stellar as other Hallmark films/mini-series, but they still perform well. The story is wonderful, which may be nothing if it isn't told well. But it is, providing a dosage of action, adventure, comedy and even a little rarely touched romance. "Prison Break"'s Wentworth Miller co-stars, so most of you fans out there may want to see this. Anyway, this was a really great mini-series. It deserves to be put to the big-screen, but it may loose some things when it would be edited to shorten it. So, it's okay as it is. A fine, very interesting almost-3-hour family entertainment. TV movie rating: ****1/2 out of 5.
