The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers

Oh, 'The land before time.' The original film is a minor modern classic; the subsequent direct-to-video sequels vary in quality, and with exceptions mostly hover in the territory of "so-so" and "softly enjoyable." Filmmaker Charles Grosvenor and writer John Loy were behind the genuinely great tenth film, 'The great longneck migration,' but also the eleventh sequel, 'Invasion of the tinysauruses,' that was pretty much right on par with the bulk of the predecessors. How might still another sequel stack up as the creative duo return with much the same cast? 2006 saw the premiere of twelfth movie 'The Great Day of the Flyers,' and - quell surprise - for better and for worse, it fits right in with most of its brethren. It is in fact a good time to one degree or another, and it's just that as something built for light, unsophisticated fun more than earnest substance, the lasting value is quite modest.

The writing is fairly simple and straightforward, catering to the very youngest of viewers rather than appealing to broader general audiences, but there are still meaningful themes and ideas to anchor the proceedings. In this case that includes feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and/or being overlooked amidst siblings, and more, as Cera anticipates the hatching of an egg, Petrie prepares for a coming-of-age ritual, and our spotlighted diminutive dinos meet a young newcomer who looks like nothing they've ever seen. Among it all we get the usual mild drama, humor, and adventure that are customary for the franchise. The original songs are gauche, but well done in and of themselves and not outright bad, and every now and again we get one that's kind of catchy ("One of a kind"), or particularly heartfelt ("Things change"). Earlier in the series the voice cast was guided into extra cutesy, childish performances, but a few entries ago that tenor was smartly discarded in favor of more sincere, natural acting, so the regular cast like icons Jeff Bennett and Rob Paulsen can flourish in their own right.

And there's not much faulting the visual experience. We might nitpick; for my part, especially once hand-drawn art was superseded by digital art in 'The stone of cold fire,' I think some nuance was traded out for more vibrant color, and some movement occasionally comes off as inorganic, not least with 3D considerations. Even at that, though, the animation is flush with terrific detail in the beautiful backgrounds, and hardly any less so in the character designs, effects, and other active elements. Further benefiting once again from the reliable score of Michael Tavera, the picture looks and sounds good overall, and some odds and ends are notable nice touches, be it a line, a gag, a fragment of the visuals, or something else. Unless one is inclined to harp on the pointed juvenility of the construction (seen above all during climactic sequence "Flip, flap, and fly"), I don't know that there's even any major issue to highlight except perhaps that the doing here seems extra safe and "middle of the road," to the point that "entertainment" feels like too strong a word and "amusement" may be more appropriate.

No matter how critical we deign to be, however, there is some small delight to be had, and some small measure of heart, and perhaps that's all the feature needed to be. Being so middling, there's hardly any need to go out of your way for this, but if you have the opportunity to watch and are receptive to fare of a decidedly less involved nature, there are far worse ways to spend one's time. 'The Great Day of the Flyers' is nothing special, and well before the final stretch it becomes something we can "watch" without actively engaging - but twelve installments into 'The land before time,' "nothing special" might be just fine.

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers, the 12th installment in the Land Before Time series, not the best sequel, but still very cute. I can't believe how many sequels there are, not that I'm complaining, just I feel like I'm becoming a dinosaur after seeing all these movies. But I digress, the Great Day of the Flyers is a fun little sequel that deserves more notice and credit than it's given. As silly as these movies are, they provide great lessons, fun animation, good songs, and how could you not enjoy your time with Littlefoot and his friends? It's fun to see who also might be added into the group and I like that the writers are continuing some of the stories like with Cera and her father being with his new girlfriend, Tria. Also this story provides what a lot of kids have to go through, the curiosity of having a new brother or sister added into the family. Or how Petrie doesn't feel so special and wants to be like his brothers and sisters that can fly well. That's why I think these sequels are great for the kids, just a new way of expressing a story to make them feel a little more relatable, except for the flying part, but you get what I mean.

Petrie is having a difficult time preparing for "The Day of the Flyers", an important day for all of the flying residents of the Great Valley, when all of the young flyers must participate in a very precise flying exhibition to prove that they are ready to fly with the adults. Always a nervous flyer, Petrie has even more trouble flying with his siblings in precise group formations he's more of an independent, free-style flier. At the same time, a strange newcomer to the Great Valley has Littlefoot and his friends trying to help figure out just exactly what he is. The creature's name is Guido, he's the strangest looking creature any of the Great Valley creatures has ever seen, especially since he's covered with feathers, and has never seen another like himself. Cera is having her own troubles, as her grumpy dad and his new mate, Tria, get ready to welcome a hatchling to the family. All of these issues come together on the night before "The Day of the Flyers", when Guido starts to figure out what he is, inadvertently leading all of the gang on a perilous adventure into the Mysterious Beyond.

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers is a fun little sequel and I can't believe that I'm almost done with these stories, but knowing the writers, I'm sure we'll have a Land Before Time 25 before I die. But I do seriously recommend watching these movies with your family, they're great for the kids and even the adults can get into them. It's silly fun, and I love watching them as cheesy as they may be. My friend says that she won't watch them because of the singing and silly story lines, which I think is a problem for most viewers and not to mention that people are just upset that there are so many of these sequels, but give them a break, they're very good movies. How could you ever not like Petrie or Ducky? If you don't, you have no heart.

6/10

This movie is good to watch and it is light and uplifting. There is a bit of an 'Ugly Duckling' theme going on with Petrie (and also with Guido) and it also shows how a new sibling as a kid can feel. The song 'Flip, Flap and Fly' is quite good and catchy and will make you feel more happy for Petrie. As usual, with all the HD 'Land Before Time' movies, it is bright and colourful. I am sure all Land Before Time fans will like this as well as children. I have given this a 7/10 because it is a very decent 'Land Before Time' sequel and isn't one of the worst and teaches that it is better to be yourself and make a revolution than trying to fit in when deep down you don't. In some parts of the movie, it probably does drag on a bit such as a certain scene near the middle-end. Overall, it is a good 'Land Before Time' sequel.

The Great Day of the Flyers tells the story of Petrie who has unusual trouble with his flying. Enter Guido, a strange looking creature, who isn't particularly memorable, but a nice character as far as the film goes.

As for the film, it is average, but it is one of the better sequels, Time of the Great Giving being the best. The animation isn't too bad, and the characters are still likable. The film does have a sense of cuteness and fun, and one of the main reasons why I saw it was for Ducky, and besides having a different voice actress, she is still the sweet character I fell in love with in the original, which is a beautiful poignant movie, that I still adore at 17.

The film does have its faults, I did find the music forgettable, and the dialogue wasn't always as inspiring as it could have been. The story isn't the best in terms of execution, and the film, like the other sequels, further suffers from being too short.

Overall, a cute and sweet movie, that is average at best compared to the original, but on its own, it is fun to watch, but perhaps forgettable after a few days. 5/10 Bethany Cox

This is one of many animated sequels to "The Land Before Time".

As far as LBT sequels go, this one is actually pretty impressive in places. The new character seems quite mature, thinks practically and is not quite as babyish as some of the other new LBT characters. The music in this sequel is often very well done and beautiful, lovely violin goes on at a few points. This film has its flaws too, it possesses a lesson like every other LBT sequel (luckily a good lesson) and wobbly animation - but good pencil lines. An enjoyable, good LBT all the same, not as cringe-worthy a lot of the others.

About our favourite cartoon dinosaurs, in this LBT Petrie is practising for the great day of the flyers. Petrie has to fly among his siblings, but he always becomes so nervous, that he spoils everything. Then, the strange Guido comes along...

Good for LBT fans and people who like cartoon films with good gags, songs and music, enjoy LBT12!