This show is another under the radar gem, yeah I was a kid from the 80's and I was always into both Dinosaurs and Sci-Fi, this show puts both those premises in a blender and it makes a really tasty drink.
There really isn't much to say, I really like the premise which I think is imaginative and something different, it really isn't something you see everyday in both sci-fi and animation, the only other show that had a slightly similar premise is "Terra Nova" only difference is this show doesn't suck.
Both factions are unique from the good guys the Valorians whom seem to be a mindful subculture as each of them have psychic ability where they are able to communicate and befriend the Dinos, how the heck the Dinos would have the equal intelligence to understand them is anyones guess but I roll with it.
The Rulons are basically anamorphic beings basically humanoid animals that despite lack of psychic abilities are a little more highly attuned to technology, which unfortunately gives them a step up from the Valorians because their tech mainly in weapons is a little more advanced. They can't communicate with the dinos so to turn them to their control they have to enslave them with some mind control technology called brain boxes.
I like the music, mainly the end theme song from episode one which I found memorable and I think is an underrated animated theme. It has that heroic and adventurous tone to it.
The characters they serve their functions, but I really like the voice cast it constists of most "Transformers" alumni. The actor that voiced Bumblebee actually gets to play the lead hero for once which is cool. Peter Cullen whom is most famous for playing Optimus Prime is playing a supporting role as Gunner.
And of course Frank Welkler famous for playing Megatron is once again the lead villain as Cruelos where Frank is sort of using the Dr. Claw voice again but it fits and as usual he's a fun solid villain and is probably my favorite character since he has the best lines and scenes, like his troubling back and forth with Rasp (whom sounds like voice actor Chris Latta but isn't) whom is a power tripping snake (literally) it's ironically similar to the back and forth between Megatron and Starscream in "Transformers". Cruelos, full of menace just the typical maniacal villain as he is just hell bent on destroying or enslaving the Valorians.
However were all in this for both the dinos and the action and it's got plenty of both. I like the vehicular action it's choreographed well, only what makes it more interesting is the fact it's not vehicles their controlling it's Dinosaurs. It's true two things I always found inconsistent like how the heck their able to control them successfully do they just use their mind powers to steer the dinos or why the driver seat is not armored. But like I said I just rolled with it. Anyway each of the dinos are unique there are plenty of different species that you see which in a way makes the show slightly educational.
And each of the dinos are armed with different weaponry mounted on them adding to their uniqueness and each had strengths and weaknesses. my favorite was always the brontosaurus and on a side note that's my favorite dinosaur. I really love the weaponry on the bronto which is really cool, it was just armed to the teeth from it's neck which had turrets and some midsection that opens up and a platoon of solders firing. To me this Dino seemed to be the most powerful on the Valorians side, thought the only disappointment was that this Dino wasn't used enough in the show, which is the only weak point for the show for me but oh well.
I personally wouldn't mind a revival, have some depth and explanation into the war between the Rulons and Valorians, I'd like to know what happened to the Valorian's home planet was it destroyed by the Rulons and they really are the last of their kind. A bit more on the Valorian's psychic subculture and if they have other abilities as well as the Rulons and their technological subculture. Also would like to see them explore more of the time travel premise like with Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder", may'be certain things both sides are doing in Prehistoric times are having repercussions on our present or the far future and somehow the Vahlorians have to correct it. And of course yes I would love to see more dinos and animals along with cool tech. Just a thought.
Overall, this is a solid show, Dino Riders is a fun ride.
Rating: 3 stars
