The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration

Minor modern classic that Don Bluth's original movie is, all its direct-to-video sequels are more variable in quality, and lesser to one degree or another. In the last couple years before this the series was more troubled than ever, as 'The big freeze' had firm foundations but was too even-keeled and dull, and 'Journey to Big Water' felt solid but was unremarkable if not altogether stale. Heading into 2003 and the tenth installment, it's only reasonable to sit for the latest 'Land before time' with mixed expectations, and the feature would have to do something pretty special to break out of the rut. Notably, this is the longest entry yet (by ten minutes) at eighty-five minutes, and aside from voice-acting veterans and regular cast members like Rob Paulsen and Jeff Bennett, the title also claims major star power in guest stars James Garner and Kiefer Sutherland. Filmmaker Charles Grosvenor must have been feeling confident about 'The great longneck migration' - and I'm very happy to say that I think Grosvenor was right to feel good about this one's prospects, for in all honesty it's distinctly sharper than nearly all its predecessors.

Granted, there's no mistaking that these films are made for not just young audiences, but far and away for the youngest of audiences. To whatever extent we may say the 1988 progenitor had some straightforward or heavy-handed moments, the video sequels have rather decidedly leaned into the simple and unsophisticated, not appealing to all viewers but catering (perhaps condescendingly) to the tiniest tykes. We've seen this in all aspects of the writing, often in the voice acting, in facets of the animation, and definitely in the original songs, as some measure of complexity and nuance is pointedly refused. This in and of itself doesn't entirely preclude the possibility of a quality presentation, even if we're used to more substantive kids' movies in subsequent years, and anyway, the tenor is so well established for TLBT that there's no getting around it. Still, anyone who can't get on board with that tack is perhaps advised to just stay away in the first place, for the sequels deviate from it little.

No matter how much we may scrutinize the pictures, however, there is lasting value of some sort. They may boast earnest storytelling and themes, or they may be particularly silly or clever, but even at their weakest, one way or another they're at least mildly enjoyable. In this case, I think Grosvenor and writer John Loy have done an especially fine job of balancing the airs of adventure, drama, and humor in a plot that shifts a bit from the formula of the sequels: Littlefoot and his longneck kin feel the urge to migrate for the first time from the Great Valley, and as Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike embark on a journey of their own to follow, Littlefoot has some big surprises in store for him when the longnecks reach their destination. The touches of comedy feel a little more natural and light on their feet, the drama and overarching themes are more impactful, and the notes of adventure a smidgen more exciting. This might actually be the strongest narrative the franchise has claimed since the original, and likewise the characterizations, nevermind the scene writing that has been a consistent high point, including unexpectedly smart longneck mythology. This is the most I've cared about these characters for too many years, and that's owed just as well to Grosvenor's tight direction.

Yes, after Universal Cartoon Studios switched from hand-drawn animation to digital with 2000's 'The stone of cold fire,' the visuals are prone at times to inorganic color, shading, and even movement. Yes, the songs remain gauche and variable in quality. Yes, the writing still has moments that are tiresomely unsubtle and uncomplicated. Yet the extra cutesy and childish performances into which the voice cast have been guided in the past are, well, a thing of the past, and the voice work is more sincere. It can't be overstated how fabulously sturdy the writing is overall, evoking reactions that the series hasn't in fifteen years. The centerpiece song of the third act here, "Bestest friends," strikes a welcome chord of emotional catharsis, leading into an equally robust denouement and ending, and a reprise over the end credits sung by Olivia Newton-John. And though we may nitpick odds and ends in the animation, by and large the visual experience is superb, with marvelous detail in the beautiful backgrounds, in effects, in character designs, and in other active elements. While some tidbits may be marginally lesser, I'm so very pleased with how very, very good 'The great longneck migration' is. How many flicks, deep in a series, can say the same?

Every rule has its exceptions, and if the rule of the 'Land before time' sequels is quality that's mostly consistent but so-so, 'The land before time X' is the exception. This is, to my astonishment, genuinely excellent, with wit, imagination, heartfelt storytelling, and even subtlety that has been all too routinely lacking in most of the antecedents. Even at that I can understand that it won't find equal favor with all comers, but not since Bluth's original have I felt so sure that I could give one of these movies a high recommendation. Well, here we are, with a recommendation that's high, hearty, and enthusiastic. I'm delighted by how much intelligence, care, and hard work went into this tenth installment, to the point that even if one has avoided the sequels heretofore, I believe this one is well worth watching nonetheless. Against all odds 'The great longneck migration' is a shining high point for a franchise of such a history, and it's well worth checking out if you have the opportunity.

The Land Before Time 10: The Great Longneck Migration i think is a fantastic movie. This was made in 2003, after 16 years (1988 - 2004) there is still more the land before time movies coming out, THE LAND BEFORE TIME = 1988 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 2: THE GREAT VALLEY ADVENTURE 1994 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 3: THE TIME OF THE GREAT GIVING = 1995 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 4: JOURNEY THROUGH THE MISTS = 1996 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 5: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND = 1997 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 6: THE SECRET OF SAURUS ROCK = 1998 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 7: THE STONE OF COLD FIRE 2000 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 8: THE BIG FREEZE = 2001 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 9: JOURNEY TO BIG WATER = 2002 THE LAND BEFORE TIME 10: THE GREAT LONGNECK MIGRATION = 2003

Yet there is more the land before time movies to be released.

THE LAND BEFORE TIME 11 = 2004

The 11th title has been rumoured with a title called: INVADING THE TINYSAURUS. Also one of the cast has rumoured that THE LAND BEFORE TIME 12 is in the greenlit. I have enjoyed watching the 10th installment of the land before time. I am looking forward to see the 11th title when it does come out, hopefully in December as there has been no news just yet on the land before time 11. Hopefully there will be some news. I give THE LAND BEFORE TIME 10. 10 OUT OF 10.

I like most of the sequels of the Land Before Time series, though none of them are as good as the original. This is a decent sequel, without being one of the best. The songs are forgettable here and the dialogue is rather simplistic, plus the film does feel rushed in places. But the animation is decent with some nice backgrounds especially, and the plot is well thought out and rounded off. The voice acting is the best asset though, easily one of the better LBT sequels in terms of voice acting. The characters still have their likability also, and there is some very admirable messaging. Overall, not great but not awful either. 6/10 Bethany Cox

As a loyal L.B.T. fan, I swooped on this & was amazed. Littlefoot sets out with his grandparents to discover the meaning of a dream. His friends can't resist following and soon get into trouble. Meanwhile Littlefoot makes an astonishing discovery.

This milestone film has quality animation, talented guest stars, cute songs and sympathetic new characters. Olivia Newton John lends her fantastic voice to the end credits. Grease is my favourite musical so this was a real thrill. My only quibble is that Ali, the female longneck from IV did not return. Opportunity lost.

And if they make XI, I'll be first in line. 9/10

This is another entry in the neverending "Land Before Time" series and it isn't that terrible. I admit that it's been a long time since I've seen the series and it was at least nice to see all the characters again. I mean, they don't really do anything outrageously out of character in this. This movie features a great longneck migration but that only makes up less than half of the actual movie. This movie features Littlefoot having a dream about a migration which all the other dinosaurs have, which is kind of weird. All the longnecks go to this one place while Littlefoot's friends follow their tracks.

They actually did do something kind of nice and that's introduce Littlefoot's father. Honestly, these scenes are pretty good because in such a long running series they actually are making some important new revelations about the main characters. Of course, this is far from saving the film. It's amazing how the original film from 1988 has animation that easily surpasses this. The songs are pretty annoying, but at least it's better than "George Of The Jungle 2". Then again, what wouldn't be? **