Education That Doesn’t Feel Like Homework

Read Time:5 Minute, 15 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Why Dinosaurs?
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 17m
Director(s): Tony Pinto, James L. Pinto
Where to Watch: buy or rent the movie here www.vimeo.com/ondemand/whydinosaurs

RAVING REVIEW: Why do dinosaurs endure when so many other childhood fascinations fade with age? WHY DINOSAURS? doesn’t treat that question as a rhetorical hook; it treats it as a genuine mystery worth unpacking from every angle. From the outset, the film makes it clear that this isn’t a traditional nature documentary concerned with extinction events or anatomical breakdowns. Instead, it positions dinosaurs as a shared cultural language, one that bridges science, imagination, nostalgia, and identity across generations.

At the heart of the documentary is the real-life relationship between James Pinto and his father, Tony. That personal view could have easily overwhelmed the broader subject, but the film is careful to use it as connective tissue rather than a focal point. James’s lifelong fascination with dinosaurs isn’t presented as exceptional in isolation; it’s presented as representative. His story becomes a stand-in for countless others whose first brush with science came not through textbooks but through toys, museums, movies, and childhood obsession. The film understands that this origin story matters, not because it’s rare, but because it’s relatable.

One of the documentary’s greatest strengths is its refusal to draw hard lines between “serious” science and pop culture. WHY DINOSAURS? openly acknowledges the outsized influence of films like JURASSIC PARK, not as a distraction from paleontology, but as a catalyst. Rather than sneering at entertainment, the film argues that fascination often begins there and evolves outward. Interviews with filmmakers, artists, and scientists exist side by side, reinforcing the idea that curiosity doesn’t need to start in a lab to end up there.

The roster of interviewees is impressively broad, but more importantly, thoughtfully curated. The film doesn’t rely on a single authoritative voice to explain why dinosaurs matter. Instead, it allows multiple perspectives to coexist: working paleontologists, museum educators, science communicators, artists, and enthusiasts. This approach reinforces one of the documentary’s core ideas: that paleontology is not a monolith, and passion for the subject manifests in many forms. The absence of hierarchy among these voices is intentional, giving the film an inclusive tone that feels earned rather than performative.

Structurally, the documentary never lingers long on any one topic, but also never rushes past ideas that deserve space. Fieldwork, museum deep dives, and interviews are woven together to keep the film from flattening its complexity. The editing reflects a clear understanding of audience engagement; this is a film designed to hold the attention of longtime enthusiasts and newcomers alike, without alienating either group.

WHY DINOSAURS? leans into variety. There’s no attempt to overwhelm with excessive reconstruction imagery or flashy graphics. Instead, the visuals emphasize texture: fossils in hand, preparation labs in motion, museum halls filled with giant skeletons and silence, and personal collections that speak to lifelong dedication. The animation and illustrative elements are used sparingly and purposefully, adding clarity and charm without feeling like window dressing.

The score, composed by Raphaël Dargent and recorded with a full orchestra, plays a surprisingly important role in shaping the film’s emotion. Rather than pushing awe at every turn, the music often underscores intimacy and reflection. It supports the documentary’s thesis that dinosaurs aren’t just symbols of power, but gateways to understanding time, place, and humanity’s relationship to the past.

Where the documentary truly distinguishes itself is in how it frames education. WHY DINOSAURS? doesn’t argue that everyone should become a paleontologist. Instead, it positions dinosaurs as an entry point into broader scientific thinking. Repeatedly, the film returns to the idea of dinosaurs as a “gateway science,” a concept reinforced through both expert testimony and lived experience. This framing feels especially resonant in a moment when public trust in science is more fragile than when man discovered fire. The film’s optimism isn’t naive; it’s grounded in observable impact, from museum engagement to educational outreach.

WHY DINOSAURS? succeeds because it understands exactly what it is and refuses to apologize for it. It isn’t trying to reinvent the documentary form or position itself as the definitive documentary on dinosaurs. It’s trying to answer a deceptively simple question in a way that honors curiosity, community, and connection. In doing so, it becomes something powerful: a reminder that wonder is often the first step toward knowledge, and that passion, when nurtured, can become purpose.

WHY DINOSAURS? doesn’t just explain why dinosaurs matter; it demonstrates why asking the question still matters at all. It’s warm without being soft, educational without being stiff, and personal without becoming insular. For anyone who ever stood in a museum hall staring up at something ancient and felt their sense of time rearrange itself, this documentary understands exactly why that feeling never really goes away.

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[photo courtesy of PINTO PRODUCTIONS]

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