Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'The Dinosaur Project'

Written by Scott Edwards

I was like most kids when growing up, I loved dinosaurs! Although they were extinct for many years before I was born, I still would play with my toys, read the books about them and watch any type of movie or documentary on the ancient beasts. Still, to this day, there are possible sightings of some of these beasts and I will admit, I would love to see one.

Jonathan Marchant and his team have seen the recent reports coming out of the Congo that involve the Mokele Mbembe, a creature that resembles the Loch Ness Monster.  Wanting to be able to prove to the world that this creature actually exists, he takes a film crew on an adventure to capture the amazing feat of a living, breathing dinosaur that should have been extinct many centuries ago. Jonathan is traveling with his longtime assistant Charlie Rutherford who works more behind the scenes than anything else while Jonathan gets all of the credit. Although he says that he is okay without getting all of the publicity, Charlie has a longing to be in the spotlight. Jonathan’s son Luke is also looking to make a name for himself, along with spending more time with his father and decides to stowaway on the team’s flight to the Congo. 

Being discovered by his father, Luke brings his own video equipment along for the search for Mokele Mbembe to keep his own video diary of what actually happens. Although Jonathan is not happy with the addition of his son on the excursion, he has no choice since they are on a one way trip into the jungle. Seeing some large flying ‘birds’ out of their helicopter window, the team finds themselves on a fast decent to the forest floor.  Seeing that these large flying creatures do not fly like normal birds, Luke knows that there is something strange in the jungle and prepares his cameras to document everything that is forthcoming.

The Dinosaur Project focuses on Jonathan Marchant as he is leading an expedition to find proof that the Mokele Mbembe exists. Having his flight taken down by what he considers Jungle Water Fowl, he has to try to find shelter in what appears to be an abandoned jungle village that shows signs of an attack. Not knowing what could have caused this, the team moves on down river and starts to encounter strange occurrences being directed towards them and outlandish howls coming from something other than the local wildlife. Finding and befriending a group of young Stegosauri, Luke attaches one of his cameras to them and finds out that there is more to the surrounding area than they ever expected and the group is in for the find of a lifetime.

As the movie progresses, you get more and more intrigued about what you will be seeing next.  Knowing that the search is for only one creature, watching how the group reacts to finding more than they could have ever expected is priceless. With their guide being a local woman who believes in a curse that surrounds the area, along with a Gateway that allows the ancient beasts to pass back through at their own pace makes you feel a little uneasy as the group chooses to disregard her warnings. Seeing a father and son hunting dinosaurs is priceless and brings back memories of my youth while my father would join in and play along with me and my toys. Keep looking forward, for you never know what you will find these days.  Happy viewing.

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