Land Before Time Retrospective #26
This post was responding to a forum thread comparing Roy Allen Smith (who directed movies #2-4) and Charles Grosvenor (who directed movies #5-12).
I never noticed a drastic change between Roy’s films and Charles’s films either. The difference between the earlier sequels and the later ones was much more pronounced to me when going from the 6th film to the 7th, due to the change in art style. The only real contrasts that stuck out to me between Roy and Charles were the change in Cera & Ducky’s voice actresses, and Cera’s characterization. That, and LBT 4 ends with the strong implication that Ali will return in a later film but she never does, which might have happened if Roy had stayed on board for the rest of the series (or then again maybe not, who knows?).
Reading the other posts in here, however, I can see there’s quite a few other distinctions I never thought of before. Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful analysis, especially action9000!
Quote from action9000: Cera’s voice actor.
I absolutely adored her voice actor in LBT 2-4. Losing that was so heartbreaking to me and the newer one never did grow on me. I’ve grown to accept it but at the end of the day I still miss her voice in LBT 2-4.
I loved her original voice actor too! ^^ Not that I have a problem with the newer actor per say, but yeah, they definitely nailed it in the first four movies.
Quote from action9000: Cera no longer says “heee” with the big grin on her face.
You know, even though I’ve seen most of the films more than once now, I never really picked up on that little catchphrase of hers before. I’ll have to watch for that next time.
Quote from Dr. Rex: There was always this music cue that’d come up whenever there was a feeling of foreboding and impending doom. Case in example, when Littlefoot and Ali were playing in the cave in LBT IV before nearly coming across a deeper section of the lake they were in. I don’t think I’ve heard that music cue as much in Grosvenor’s films.
Hm, interesting. Another thing I never really noticed before that I’ll have to pay attention for next time.
While I like both Roy and Charles and I’m not partial to one over the other, Journey Through the Mists is definitely my favourite out of Roy’s films, and among my favourite of the sequels in general (along with #5 & #10). As mentioned, it’s the last time we have Candace Hutson as Cera (who’s also noteworthy for being the only returning voice actor from the original movie). And of course, there’s Ali. I love her dynamic with Littlefoot, but she goes great with Cera too. Then again, they’re my three favourite characters, so I’m undoubtedly biased here. 😛 Which of course is another reason why LBT 4 is special to me, as it’s the only film where I get my three favourite characters all together.
Quote from action9000: [Charles’s films had] the introduction of more and more fantasy elements that feel out of place compared to the earlier films […] Now to be fair, LBT 4 had the fantasy element of the night flower. I will acknowledge this but I do feel there is one major difference between the night flower and the later fantasy elements: The night flower is a concept that fits in a prehistoric world and doesn’t rely on any humanistic ideas.
Another good point. I have noticed before how LBT 2 & 3 have a lower-key feel and a bigger focus on the day-to-day aspects of their Great Valley society, but I never really thought about how it contrasts with the more outwardly adventurous and fantastical direction starting with #5. I’m a fan of the wilder elements myself. But the earlier films do have a more humble charm of their own. Maybe that’s another reason I’m a fan of LBT 4, as it seems to bridge the transition between the two.
And it’s just a fun adventure all around. One of the more emotional of the sequels for sure. The Land of Mists is a cool setting, and I also really like the aforementioned night flowers. Oh, and did I mention Ali?
Well, those are all the thoughts I have for now. Wishing you all the best. Bye for now!
