Dinosaurs in Fiction

Scientific Accuracy in Films

• Jurassic Park is a marker for scientific attempts at dinosaur accuracy.
• Sequels and other movies drift away from scientific realism.
• Use of feathers in theropods is minimal and often inaccurate.

Popular Perception of Dinosaurs

• Dinosaurs are perceived as large reptilian creatures.
• Popular culture examples: Godzilla, Flintstones, Barney.
• Mischaracterization with reptile and mammal traits, e.g., The Flintstones' Hoppy.

Use of Dinosaurs in Media

Films

• Jurassic Park Sequels: Less focus on scientific accuracy, more exaggeration.
• 65 (Film): Presents a fictional quadrupedal predator resembling a T-Rex.
• The Land Before Time: Depicts dinosaurs as symbols of survival in a decaying world.
• Disney's Dinosaur: Shows dinosaurs and early mammals trying to find a safe haven.
• We're Back! A Dinosaur Story: Features dinosaurs returning to modern times.
• The Good Dinosaur: Explores a world where dinosaurs coexist with early humans.

TV Shows

• The Flintstones: Uses dinosaurs as household appliances, depicting them in a domestic setting.
• Land of the Lost: Features a family encountering dinosaurs and reptilian creatures.
• Denver the Last Dinosaur: A Corythosaurus with modern traits like skateboarding.
• Dino Riders: Alien races using dinosaurs with advanced technology.
• Jim Henson's Dinosaurs: Sitcom with puppetry, exploring suburban life.
• Dinosaur Train: Educates children about dinosaurs through adventures.
• Terra Nova: Time travelers establishing a settlement in the Mesozoic era.
• Primeval: Time-traveling creatures causing disruptions.

Books and Comics

• The Lost World and Jurassic Park: Influential dinosaur-based books.
• Dinotopia: Combines scientific accuracy with fantasy.
• Raptor Red: Follows a Utahraptor's life.
• The Age of Reptiles: Graphic novels depicting scientifically accurate dinosaurs.

Video Games

• Yoshi: A dinosaur-like character in Nintendo games.
• Post-Jurassic Park saw a surge in dinosaur video games.
• Dino Crisis: Survival horror game involving dinosaurs.
• Saurian: Simulation focusing on accurate depiction of the Hell Creek ecosystem.

Dinosaurs vs. Dragons in Media

• Dinosaurs tend to perform better at the box office than dragons.
• Interest in dinosaurs stems from their blend of fantasy and science.

Documentaries

• Walking with Dinosaurs (2000) and Prehistoric Planet: Known for scientific accuracy in depicting dinosaurs.

Themes and Symbolism

• Dinosaurs often symbolize outdatedness, the primal, and competition.
• They are used to explore themes like survival, apocalypse, and humanity's inability to control nature.
• Their portrayal is a mix of scientific representation and thematic storytelling.

Reflection

• Consider why dinosaurs are used in various media.
• Thematic implications: extinction, metaphor for being outmoded or replaced.
• Comparison with dragons: fascination with dinosaurs due to their real, yet fantastical nature.