When people heard I was going to see Barney’s Great Adventure, the first feature film about the purple dinosaur, most were sympathetic. They seemed skeptical when I said I was looking forward to it.

A lot of people don’t like Barney. You probably remember a news story a few years back in which a group of teenagers beat up Barney at a public appearance. In the movie, Barney deals with his critics, but he does it Barney-style – gently and with a positive spirit.

Certainly no one gets beat up in this movie. And Cody, the film’s primary protagonist, is not quite a teenager. But Cody is definitely one of those who is way too cool to believe in Barney.

Barney’s Great Adventure is about faith and the importance of following your dreams. From a cinematic standpoint, it’s a beautifully produced, colorful story. Made in Montreal with a bilingual crew of French Canadians and U.S. workers, the film places Barney and his friends within a lovely fairy tale populated in part by performers from the Cirque de Soleil, the acrobatic troupe. Debra Brown, choreographer for both the troupe and the film, maintains a pace that is fast enough to keep even the youngest viewers entranced. For me, the highlight of the movie comes when Barney does an impromptu song and dance at a posh French restaurant, Chez Snobb.

The movie avoids the didactic aspects of Barney and Friends, the acclaimed afternoon show which debuted on PBS in 1992. The only thing connecting this Barney project to the TV show and videos is the main character and his nonviolent philosophy.

Barney is a gentle spirit who teaches children about the power of imagination. He is a positive influence in a violent world.

I understand the resistance people have to this big dinosaur. Before I came to see the real Barney through the eyes of my 2-year-old daughter, Feroza, I was one of those who scoffed at what I thought was a creature of hype. No more.

The theatre where we saw Barney’s Great Adventure was full of little kids and their parents. They sat in awe throughout the entire 75-minute film. Only one child cried. There was little of the hustle and bustle I had expected. The kids and their parents were transfixed by a movie which had no nudity, swearing, or guns. No one shouted and no one shot. For a few minutes, at least, Jonesboro, Arkansas, was far, far away.

After seeing Barney’s Great Adventure, I understand him better. My wife’s family has practiced an ancient religion for several centuries. Its basic creed is simple: think good thoughts; speak good words; do good deeds.