Review of The Land Before Time

I am 17, and I absolutely love animation, when it's done right. I love all the Disneys and almost all of the Don Bluth films(though I had mixed feelings about Troll in Central Park and Rock a Doodle Doo), and I will say that this is right up there as one of the best, along with Secret of Nimh, Anastasia and American Tail. This happens to be the first movie that introduced me to dinosaurs. The animation and visuals are stunning, a similar style to American Tail and in some way the Rescuers. In terms of colour, it is quite dark, but it does need to be, as it is quite a dark and very poignant film. I realised as I watched it, that the beginning reminded me a bit of the dinosaur segment in Fantasia. The music by James Horner is gorgeous, haunting in some parts, and then so heart-rendingly sad in others. This is the composer who brought us the music for American Tail and Once Upon a Forest(both of which made me cry). Land Before Time made me cry too, because Littlefoot's mother's death is one of the saddest deaths ever portrayed in an animated film. I also thought the narration was very thoughtful and factual, I actually learnt things from the narration alone. The voice talents were exceptional, Judith Barsi a standout as Ducky(sweet and funny at the same time), voicing engaging and memorable characters. I was appalled when I read that Judith Barsi was murdered not long after she voiced Anne Marie in All Dogs Go To Heaven, because she was a very talented actress, the characters she created were both likable and sweet, and it is such a shame that something that dreadful would happen to her at an early age. Littlefoot is also very sweet, nothing like how they portray him in the countless sequels. People have argued that there isn't much of a story, but this is an example of a character-driven animation, and there was plenty of character here. I personally think that this is the most poignant of the Don Bluth movies, and if I had a minor criticism, it is just that children may find the sharp tooth too frightening, but that was the intention, as the characters are afraid of it. Also it is a tad too short. Anyone who hated this, do bear in mind that it is vastly superior to all of the sequels, which range from good to unwatchable. In conclusion, a beautiful and poignant film, that is definitely one of the better Don Bluth movies. 9/10 Bethany Cox.