My boy is now almost 3 years old, and he loves to correct misguided adults when they err in giving names to his plastic dinosaurs.
Is that a Triceratops? No, a Stegosaurus, he replies. Is that one of those flying dinosaurs? Terry-dact-ul, he answers.
He’s a genius, you say? OK, if you insist. More likely, though, we’ve let him watch “The Land Before Time” more than once, and he’s picked up the lingo.
“The Land Before Time” is a truly winning animation for preschoolers, produced in 1988 by the stellar triumvirate of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Don Bluth as director. It tells the story of young Littlefoot (that’s Apatosaurus for you 3-year-olds), who must overcome the death of his mother and make the big trek to the Great Valley to avoid a famine.
The original in what became a series is a nice blend of silly entertainment – Littlefoot’s friends have the usual slapstick adventures – and palatable education. It brings the era of dinosaurs to light (with non-fatal scientific anachronisms) and can be a good window onto a global-warming discussion if your kids are interested. Limited resources, changing climate – it’s a timeless problem.
Don’t confuse the first “Land Before Time” with the dozen that came after it, straight to video. Bluth’s original avoids cringe-worthy musical numbers and tells a good story with beautiful pictures.
Safe to say most of those values were extinct by “Land Before Time: Invasion of the Tinysauruses.”
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for families in search of rewarding entertainment. Send your favorites to mbooth@denverpost.com
