An orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot sets off in search of the legendary Great Valley. A land of lush vegetation where the dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. Along the way he meets four other young dinosaurs, each one a different species, and they encounter several obstacles as they learn to work together in order to survive.
I guess I sort of liked the film, although I wonder why it couldn't have spent more time on natural history and the sense of discovery, and less time on tragedy.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
There is nothing about either the story or its execution to place "The Land Before Time" alongside the classics, but then again, the age of animated masterpieces may be forever past.
– Hal Hinson,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Most of ''The Land Before Time'' is so authentically geared to the thinking of children that it should charm adults as well.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
30 Aug 2004
rotten:
After An American Tale, Bluth surely had the clout to make a more adventurous animated feature than this ...