The Backyardigans' Adventures of Dinosaur

***The Backyardigans' Adventures of Dinosaur*** is the ninth adventure in *The Backyardigans' Adventures Series* to be created by Hiatt Grey.

## Plot

A *Carnotaurus* ambushes and pursues an infant *Parasaurolophus*, triggering a stampede and forcing an *Iguanodon* mother to abandon her nest. The *Carnotaurus* kills a *Pachyrhinosaurus* and most of the eggs in the nest are destroyed or eaten. The one surviving egg journeys through several predicaments, including being carried off via the flight of a *Pteranodon*, before ending up on a far away island populated by lemurs. A motherly lemur named Plio names the hatched baby Aladar and raises him, despite Yar's (her father) objections. Years later, an adult Aladar and the lemurs take part in a mating ritual, where young lemur Zini ends up without a mate. Moments after the ritual ends, a giant meteor strikes and destroys the island, killing the rest of the lemurs. Aladar, Plio, Zini, Yar and Suri (Plio's young daughter), jump into the sea and flee to the mainland. They mourn for their losses before moving on.

While crossing the deserted wastelands, they are ambushed by a group of *Velociraptors*. After escaping, the family comes across a multi-species herd of dinosaurs led by Iguanodons Kron and Bruton who are on a journey to reach the "Nesting Grounds", a valley said to be untouched by the meteor. As Aladar and the lemurs befriend a trio of elderly dinosaurs *Brachiosaurus* Baylene, *Styracosaurus* Eema and doglike *Euoplocephalus* Url, Kron permits them to follow the herd. Together, they migrate across the desert to a lake they have relied on for past trips. It has seemingly dried up and Kron orders the herd to move on but Aladar and Zini discover buried water beneath the surface and Baylene brings it up, saving the herd from dehydration. Impressed by Aladar's compassionate ways, Kron's sister Neera begins to fall in love with him. Meanwhile, two *Carnotaurus* follow the herd's trail and begin stalking them for food. They later ambush Bruton and an *Iguanodon* scout whom Kron sent ahead. While the *Carnotaurus* kill the scout, the injured Bruton manages to return to the herd and warns Kron that the *Carnotaurus* are following the herd, putting them in danger. Kron takes the lead and evacuates the area, leaving Aladar, the lemurs, the elder dinosaurs and Bruton behind.

During a rainstorm, the stragglers (including the grumpy Bruton) take shelter in a cave to spend the night. When the *Carnotaurus* enter the cave, one of them is killed during a cave-in, along with Bruton. Aladar and his friends venture deeper into the cave. The other *Carnotaurus* survives the cave-in, leaves the cave and resumes searching for the herd. Aladar loses hope when they reach a dead end but the others convince him to keep going, relating how he inspired them to do the same. Together they break through the dead end and find the Nesting Grounds on the other side. When they explore the Nesting Grounds they find a large wall of rocks blocking the original entryway to the valley. Knowing that the herd will die attempting to climb over it, Aladar rushes off alone to find them, pursued by the surviving *Carnotaurus*.

As Aladar catches up with the herd and suggests the safer way to the valley, the enraged Kron tries to kill him but Neera stops Kron and saves Aladar. The herd decides to abandon Kron, taking Aladar as their new leader. As they prepare to leave, the *Carnotaurus* arrives and confronts them. Aladar rallies the herd to stand together, and they bellow their way past the predator. The *Carnotaurus* then pursues Kron to the edge of a cliff and injures him but Aladar and Neera fight against the *Carnotaurus*, until it is knocked into the ravine, where it plummets to its death. While Kron dies from his injuries, Aladar and Neera mourn for him.

Aladar leads the herd to the cave as a route to the Nesting Grounds. A new generation of dinosaurs hatch sometime later, including Aladar and Neera's children. The lemurs find more of their kind, and soon they begin embarking on a new life together.

## Trivia

* Dora Márquezt, Boots, Backpack, Map, Isa, Tico, Benny, Azul, Blue, Steve, Sagwa Miao, Dongwa Miao, Sheegwa Miao, the Rockhopper crew (Zidgel, Midgel, Fidgel, and Kevin), Fievel Mousekewitz, Olivia Flaversham, Shimmy Shake, and Lighthoof guest star in this film.
* This film marks it's first guest starring appearances of Chris Kratt, Martin Kratt, and Zoboomafoo.
* Connor McKnight, Ethan James, Kira Ford, Tommy Oliver, and Trent Fernandez return in this film and will join The Backyardigans on their adventures.
* *The Great Mouse Detective*, *Power Rangers Dino Thunder*, and *Dinosaur* were all made by Disney.

## Soundtrack

1. Orange Blue - Can Somebody Tell Me Who I Am (End credits song)