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Rating: 5 out of 5
I couldn’t wait to write a review of this film. I should’ve done it years earlier, but I finally had time to rewatch the movie and write a review. Growing up, I LOVED dinosaurs. I remember visiting the Natural History Museum and seeing a giant dinosaur skeleton. In my science lessons in elementary school, when we got to the dinosaurs, I fell in love with them. Nothing like imaging a T-Rex or Stegosaurus to captivate a child’s imagination. The one film that made me love this movie was that it was animated, but all the main characters were children. Back then, Pizza Hut had a special where they gave out toys. I remember going in and getting a Ducky toy even though I wanted Little Foot. The film series is still going on strong today, with 13 sequels. That is a ton of sequels. The film is fantastic as it has a straightforward story, but it is the themes that continue to get to me. Also, it is the only film with a 100% success rate of making me cry.
This amazing movie is set during the age of the dinosaurs. At the film’s beginning, the lands were plentiful, but a famine has forced the dinosaurs to look for a new home. That home is known as the Great Valley. The longneck is one of the dinosaur groups that are leaving. During this time, a baby named Littlefoot has hatched to his mother and grandparents. Littlefoot is loved and given a special tree star by his mother. Years later, Littlefoot meets a three-horn named Cera, who is arrogant as her father taught her that three-horns never play with longnecks. The pair play again when they encounter a sharp tooth, aka a T-Rex. Littlefoot’s mom comes and rescues the pair but dies in the process. A great earthquake splits the land, separating Littlefoot and Cera from their parents. Littlefoot’s mother gives her son some advice about finding the Great Valley. As Littlefoot struggles with his mother’s death, he meets an old and wise dinosaur named Rooter, who consoles the young dinosaur. Confident in finding the Great Valley, Littlefoot meets several other orphaned dinosaurs who help him realize that he has a family and that all their differences don’t matter in the end.
As I said, the story is straightforward, with Littlefoot having to find the Great Valley and his journey there. It is a freakin journey, but what I want to focus on are the themes, and this film has quite a few. The first one is species type, aka race. Cera’s father teaches her that three-horns don’t play with longnecks. Littlefoot asks his mother, and her response is it just is. Do all the other types of dinosaurs don’t get along? That spoke to me because how many of us look at others and say we don’t communicate with them. Another theme that is in front is pride. Cera and Littlefoot have tremendous pride in each other to the point of being stubborn. Cera thinks she knows everything and wants everyone to follow her because she is tough and fearless. Littlefoot tries to convince the others about what his mother said and wants the group to follow him. This turns into an all-out fight where they both split. Cera leads the group to danger and realizes she is not the smartest. When the group decides to sleep with Littlefoot instead of her, you see true growth in her and all the characters.
Another theme is friendship. As I stated, the groups seemed to want to avoid getting along. The group has to rely on each other. It is not just Littlefoot’s journey but all of them. They start to bond with each other and show that no matter how different you are, you can work together and be the best of friends to pull each other up.
I would say the theme that hit me the hardest was death. This film has one of the biggest gut punches in death in film history. The Lion King has Mufasa, and this one has Littlefoot’s mother. I bawl my eyes out every time I see that scene because I’m really close to my mom, and it is sad to watch. Littlefoot’s mom gave her all to defend her son, and to see her die is sad as she gives her last words. I love how the grandparents care for Littlefoot, as I am also close to my grandparents. Straight up tears just writing this review.
The animation and music of this film are excellent for its period. It is darker than all the Disney films but shows what a different studio could do. The way the clouds turn into Littlefoot’s mom or the scene with the tar pits is beautifully drawn. I love how each character has their own color and style. The music is so soul-moving that it is excellent. I can hear it in my head right now. It is subtle but strong. That is why I cry; I listen to it, and it always plays during challenging situations where you want Littlefoot and the crew to succeed in their quest.
What I like about this film is that there is a character for each person. If you want a leader like a Capricorn, then that is Littlefoot. If you want to be prideful and a little bit arrogant but also feel sad inside when you are alone, that is Cera. If you have that funny friend who likes to crack jokes but needs a little push for greatness, that character is Petrie. If you want quiet time and love to eat, you are Spike. Finally, if you want to be loud but cheerful and be a friend, then you are Ducky. I love all the characters.
The Land Before Time is one of the best-animated films around. It is a story of friends overcoming obstacles with five friends who try to make it to the Great Valley. I cry every time I watch this film, but watching it is incredible. Watch the original movie before watching all the other sequels.
BONUS CLIP!!
