DVD Review: Land Before Time Magical Discoveries
Universal, Amblin Entertainment Series Based on Don Bluth Film
Sep 2, 2008
Don Bluth's 1988 animated hit The Land Before Time has become the king of direct-to-DVD sequels, having spawned 12 animated films chronicling the adventures of Littlefoot, Cera and the other baby dinosaurs.
Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment (director Steven Spielberg's imprint) have now unleashed a television series based on the feature film, which features the characters getting into various adventures, and learning Important Lessons about life, the universe and everything. Much G-rated adventuring to follow.
The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries DVD
This DVD features only 4 episodes from the television series (good thing the MSRP is around $20.00):
- "The Search for Sky Colour Stones" features the gang hunting for what they call "sky colour stones" (glowing geodes). However, Cera, Ruby and Ducky run into trouble when they start getting a little too obsessed with finding those geodes.
- "The Amazing Threehorn Girl" starts with Cera getting menaced by a pair of hungry "bellydraggers" (giant alligators). Cera's hailed as a hero after she inadvertently scares the alligators away, but doesn't know what to do when the alligators return with reinforcements.
- Petrie freaks out at the prospect of having to build a new nest after his old one gets destroyed in "Days of Rising Waters." Duckie also has to figure out how to teach her baby sister Tricia how to swim.
- "Return to Hanging Rock" follows Ruby as she attempts to find her family out in the Great Beyond, assisted by Chomper, Ducky and Spike. The four have adventures together, and learn more about family.
Certainly this show has its fans, but don't call this classic entertainment. The animation isn't bad, but it's strictly for the pre-school set. The character designs are appealing and consistent, but shadows occasionally disappear, especially in distant shots.
The scripts are sweet enough, but the twists aren't especially surprising. This series plays on the fact that pre-school children aren't exactly wise to storytelling clichés, so they play on the diminished expectations. Certainly no one expects The Usual Suspects-level scripting from The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries, but the writers could have pushed themselves a little harder to produce a higher standard of children's entertainment.
As it is, the best way to describe this DVD is: "It ain't half bad. But it ain't half good, either."
Extras?
There are some trailers (most notably for the Curious George and Franklin television series), plus a sing-a-long for the songs from the episode "Search for the Sky Colour Stones." Considering the songs weren't all that memorable to begin with, it's a bit of a waste of time. In addition, you can print out several colouring pages by popping the DVD into your computer.
The Final Analysis
The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries won't play well for anyone over the age of 8. The stories are predictable, the messages somewhat saccharine, and the songs are schmaltzy and unmemorable. The title song in particular wastes South African choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo's considerable talents.
If you're partial to parking your tot in front of the idiot box for an hour or so while you get some laundry done, then The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries is a good fit. However, don't expect to enjoy it alongside your kidling. You'll need regular insulin injections. 5/10.
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