Nostalgia Review: The Land Before Time

Now, it's been a good 15 years since I've watched The Land Before Time. Like many my age I have quite fond and scarring memories of this movie. Since it was on Netflix's watch instantly I decided to rewatch it. The movie is directed by Don Bluth, who directed films such as An American Tail, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Anastasia. Like Bluth's other films, The Land Before Time is beautifully animated, even by today's standards, though sometimes it does feel a little flat at times. What surprised me was the depth of the characters. Each of the dinosaurs has their own traits that are completely distinct from the other. The film does an excellent job of raising tension. The scenes with the sharp tooth are all quite scary, especially for a child. Likewise, the scene in the tar pit is very intense and if I hadn't seen the movie several times before I would have been worried about the characters.

The Land Before Time is best at handling the emotional scenes. I think everyone who saw this movie before the age of ten is not afraid to admit that they wept in the scene where Littlefoot's mother dies. What I think those same people forget, however, are the scenes of conflict between the party members can be almost as heart wrenching. The viewer very much wants this party to succeed in their quest to find the great valley, so when fights happen that make that quest harder, it's a very sad prospect. On the other side of the coin, the scenes where the characters succeed in what they are trying to accomplish it is very exciting and moving.

The themes of The Land Before Time are very good ones to have in children's movie. The themes of loss, independence, and strength in friendships are all ones that young children can use as they grow. Especially in modern times, where a child may learn about loss and the need to be independent at a much younger age than in the past.

I was actually quite surprised by how much I still enjoyed this movie. It is very well directed. The music fits well with the scenes, even if the song over the credits is a little melodramatic, and the characters are deep and interesting. If you haven't seen this movie since you were a child, I suggest rewatching it, and if you have children of your own now let them experience this part of your childhood.

Grade: A+