Was expecting not so good things, considering the studio 'Jurassic School' comes from (a studio that churns out so many mediocre at best and often terrible films and few decent ones). Gave it the benefit of the doubt because it sounded like an inoffensively cute idea and as someone who's enjoyed some dinosaur films in the past (naming them will be unfair on the film but the most obvious example springs into many people's heads straight-away).
'Jurassic School' is not what one calls great, or even good. For me most of it was pretty bad actually. Having said that, also have seen far worse films overall and especially recently and it's adequate for a child/family-friendly film, as long as not too much is demanded. Tried to take 'Jurassic School' for what it was and what it tried to be and do, watching with the intent to not take things too seriously. Trying to take all this into account, 'Jurassic School' poorly executes so many elements and even younger viewers are likely to find it a struggle.
Gabriel Bennett is an appealing enough young lead and the best thing about the film, he does infuse some energy and spirit and tries not to go over-the-top or take things overly seriously as well not being too much of a brat or too cutesy.
Some of 'Jurassic School' is not too badly shot and the music is an okay and lively if not hugely memorable fit.
The rest of the actors don't fare well, some going-through-the-motioners but mostly the film is over-played. It is hard to get behind characters that are so irritating and with not a lot of personality outside of archetypes, with very broad and often unrealistically cartoonish behaviours.
Not once is the script anything other than excessive campy cheese and unnaturally-flowing awkwardness. The story is frenetically paced, and full of predictability and with no tension or charm. The relationship between the boy and the dinosaur would have been convincing if the wannabe-cute dinosaur didn't look so cheap or sounded creepy, betrayed in some close-ups.
Overall, less than mediocre but not irredeemable. 3/10 Bethany Cox
