Probably the most classic of all Don Bluth films, “The Land Before Time” takes us back to the age of the dinosaurs, long before man roamed the earth. It’s a time of great upheaval, figuratively and literally, for a small dinosaur named Littlefoot. His mother, a wonderful, caring female, is killed while protecting him from a T-rex, and an earthquake rips his land apart, causing huge gashes in the ground which separate him from his grandparents. Other baby dinosaurs are separated from their caregivers as well, including Cera, the proud and egotistical Triceratops who will have nothing to do with Littlefoot.
The dinosaurs had been on their way to the Great Valley for better foraging when the earthquake hit, and Littlefoot feels that if he can just find his way, he’ll be all right. Cera wants to come along too, but she’s too proud to admit that she needs some help. As Littlefoot sets off, he takes with him the wisdom of his mother, and although he misses her, he knows she left him with all her love.
As Littlefoot continues his journey, he meets Ducky, Petri, and Spike, dinosaur children from several different species. They make friends and soon come to depend on each other for everything, and eventually Cera joins their group as well. In the end, they all make it to the Great Valley, and are reunited with their loved ones, after facing great peril and conquering their fears.
I liked this movie, but I didn’t. I enjoyed Ducky – my favorite character in the movie. But it was fairly violent, the death of Littlefoot’s mother was rather upsetting, and – I know this is a silly statement to make in light of the fact that we’re discussing a children’s animated film – but it wasn’t logical. The children are separated from their parents and can’t get to them, and yet they are all able to reach the same destination. Why wouldn’t the land masses have met back up before then? I know it’s a wonderful climactic moment for everyone to meet in a pretty spot with lots of grass, but it just didn’t make sense to me.
That said, if you have very sensitive children, I might save this one until they’re a little older.
This film was rated G.
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