Movie of the Week: The Land Before Time

Forget that they made thirteen movie, forget the awful tv show. This movie is legit. If this movie wasn't an essential part of your childhood, you were seriously deprived. 

This movie, and it's unending list of sequels, made us all love dinosaurs as kids. We learned that vegetarians were good and anything that ate meat was bad. Looking back, this is the best vegan propaganda ever. Who wanted to root for the sharp teeth? No one. At least, not until Chomper was introduced in one of the sequels, but still.

The Land Before Time has everything that makes a great children's movie. Group of friends, one of which is a jerk? Check! Quest lacking parental supervision? Check! Death of parent(s)/Main character orphan? Double Check!

Also, for those of you who can legally and responsibly drink, I've been told that there is a rather challenging drinking game involving Cera and every time her behavior can be summed up by a certain five-letter word, not that we endorse any such suicidal behavior.

Still, where would any of us have been without this movie. I still get teary eyed every time the mom dies, then again when Littlefoot mistakes the rock for his mom. Cera was my favorite, despite her attitude. And for the record, I was terrified by the final face off with the t-rex. The hand drawn animation and the score are lovely. Oh, and earthquakes suck. I'd also bet money, regardless as to whether anyone will admit it, that The Lion King took inspiration from this movie. Circle of life, ghost of parent speaking to him, friends that are a different species? Yeah, parallels can be drawn. Finally, looking back, is there species racism in this movie or what?

Anyways, relive your childhood and go watch The Land Before Time. 

~Lauren