Plot: See Breakdown.
Breakdown: Dino Riders is a show about an alien race called the Valorians traveling through space and time to prehistoric earth. Following them are their enemies, the reptilian race, the Rulons. They use their telekinetic abilities to communicate with and befriend the dinosaurs of the land while the Rulons do the same, except using mind-control devices called brain boxes.
They outfit the dinosaurs in high-tech machinery, gadgets, lasers and missiles as they fight battle after battle in their never ending war to conquer the other.
…..Did you get that? Aliens control the minds of dinosaurs, outfit them with high-tech alien weaponry, including missiles and lasers, and battle each other.
I don’t think I need to say anything else. Everyone good? Kay. Put up the verdict card.
Okay, for those still curious enough to keep reading, I first caught onto this show after watching one of the Nostalgia Critic’s commercial reviews. He was talking about one of the commercials for the Dino Riders toys of which this cartoon is based off. He was just as blown away by the concept as I was, and I couldn’t resist seeking out the cartoon. Of course this series was released in 1988, one year before I was born. Damn my inability to control what year I was born.
In all honesty, I am overplaying this series just a tad. It is awesome to see battles between raptors, pterodactyls, triceratops and even T-rexes outfitted with lasers and missiles, but I can’t deny that the foundations are kinda weak. We don’t really know why the Rulons want to destroy the Valorians so badly, they just do. The idea that pea-brained dinosaurs can be reasoned with so easily just with telepathy is a bit farfetched (but, honestly, who cares? And the alternative is mind-control hats) and it is just a flat out, 80’s brand ‘We’re two factions at war….pew pew.’
But it is still a lot of fun, and there is so much room for possibilities that, sadly, probably won’t get realized because this series somehow only lasted 14 episodes. Captain Planet gets six seasons. Dino Riders get 14 episodes. Rip. Off. I definitely would’ve been more invested in Captain Planet if they used laser equipped dinosaurs to kill polluters…..Actually…..easily befriending even the fiercest of creatures with telepathy and heart?…..Is Ma Ti a Valorian?
Not to mention we have some top-notch voice work here. Frank Welker (because he’s under contract to be in literally everything) Rob Paulson, Dan Gilvezan (Bumblebee in the 80’s Transformers series) Charlie Adler, Townsend Coleman and Peter friggin’ Cullen – Optimus Prime!
Even the animation stands up very well for being a late 80s cheap cartoon based on a toy. And yes, I’m including both GI Joe and Transformers there.
Anyhoo, Dino Riders may be a short-lived series with a one-dimensional story…….but DINOSAURS WITH ALIEN LASER WEAPONRY IN BATTLES AGAINST REPTILE CREATURES…..COME ON!
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The Anime Madhouse 
Wow, I’m sure 5 year old me would’ve loved this show. How can you say no to dinosaurs with frickin’ laser beams (reference intended)? That also blows my mind how this only lasted for 14 episodes yet Captain Planet got 6 seasons. Yes, I watched Captain Planet back in the day, but I still shake my head.
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I watched Captain Planet too – fairly frequently. I blame GI Joe because I’d watch that and then Captain Planet came on right after and I was like….’yeah, sure I’ll watch this. Nothing else is on right now.’ lol Also, I think pre-Avatar TLA me was discovering her love of elemental powers lol
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Gotcha. I didn’t watch GI Joe that much. Weirdly enough, I saw GI Joe Extreme more than I saw the original cartoon. Boy was that sequel littered with 90s action cliches.
Yeah, I’m sure watching Captain Planet could influence someone to like elemental powers. If we’re going by 90s stuff, you could also add some of the Power Rangers teams, Sailor Moon, and Ronin Warriors on that list of also potentially influencing others. Haha! XP
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