Land Before Time Retrospective #31
A disclaimer that I still haven’t seen the entire TV series yet (as of this writing, I’ve watched episodes #1-14 & #20), but this is where my favourite characters are at as of right now. 🙂
1. Littlefoot: He was my favourite character as soon as I saw the first movie, and he has remained as such. He’s so loveable. He’s kind, brave, loyal, and heroic. Immediately you root for him to succeed, and you feel for him during his hardships. The first, fourth, and tenth movies are where he shines the most, as they’re the most personal for him, but he’s still a fantastic character all around.
2. Cera: Despite feeling a little more partial to Littlefoot overall, Cera is in many ways the character I’ve identified with the most in this community. ImpracticalDino has even referred to me as a rambunctious orange threehorn before, which seems fitting enough. 😛 But aside from that, she’s feisty and funny and spunky all rolled into one, while still showing her sweeter and more caring side beneath her brash exterior.
3. Ali: Easily my favourite guest star. She and Mama Longneck are the characters whom I most wish we’d had more time with. But Ali makes the most of her limited role in the series. She and Littlefoot are just so cute together. <3 She fit in so nicely with the rest of the Gang as well, leading to some unique and occasionally uncomfortable interactions, but ultimately proving herself to be a valuable member of the team in the end.
4. Mama Longneck: Wise, caring, and compassionate. She and Littlefoot form the emotional core of the first movie, and she has some of the most memorable scenes of the entire series. Even in the fifth movie, Littlefoot singing about her during “Always There” manages to be both sad and heartwarming. She also reminds me of my own mother.
5. Sharptooth: Also forming the emotional core of the first movie for entirely different reasons. I love how he’s played completely serious in his every scene, and the conflict between him and Littlefoot is gritty and personal in a way that is often sadly missing from later antagonists in the series. The mood intensifies every time he shows up. He’s iconic, scary, and awesome all at once.
6 & 7. Mama & Papa Sharptooth: I love the transition of their character arc; how they start off appearing just like the original Sharptooth, but it’s eventually subverted as it turns out there’s more to them than meets the eye. Then they slowly but surely (sorta) become good guys in the end. Having more friendly adult sharpteeth in the series was a wasted opportunity, imo. On the other hand, it helps these two stand out that much more.
8. Plated Sharptooth (from LBT 5): Yet another sharptooth who manages to be both awesome and scary. The fight between him and Chomper’s parents is one of the best in the series, and surprisingly gritty as well. Sharptooth vs. Sharptooth is another thing I would’ve loved to have seen more of.
9. Ducky: More than anyone else, Ducky stands out as the heart of the Gang. Judith Barsi really owned her role. Such a fantastic performance from such a gifted young actress. Outside of the first film, Ducky also has a memorable role in the eighth film, as she and Spike take center stage in a lovely story that devotes itself to exploring their relationship.
10. Guido: Awkward, cute, and funny. What’s not to love?
