Review: The Land Before Time 14: Journey of the Brave (also a VS Friendship Games conclusion)

After waiting a long four months since the release of Friendship Games, I was very much blessed with the opportunity to see the latest entry into The Land Before Time franchise. Was it worth the wait, or is the series really deserving to go back to its grave? Spoilers to Follow.

The Plot

Chronologically, it does take place after the TV series in part with Chomper and Ruby already living in the Great Valley.

The introduction is very straight forward. No long stories involving evolution or how similar the Dinosaurs are to people. What's interesting that we are reminded of the first and tenth films ("The chaos of the world claimed his mother... In a miraculous coincidence, Littlefoot reunited with his father.") Once every year, Bron would come to the great valley with his herd (Now with Triceratops, Styracosaurus, and numerous hadrosaurs.) to meet with his son. This year, when Littlefoot found out about his fathers absence, he and his friends journey to the Fire Mountain and rescue him.

I must say that, about thirty minutes in, we are already past two of the obstacles the characters must face: a chasm (which was easy to cross for Grandpa Longneck, Topsy, and Wild Arms), and a labyrinth of a canyon crawling with Yutyrannus. I was hoping for the second challenge to be a bit longer (the kids enter the the territory, get chased out, then try the Stinkweed method.), but how they made the Sharpteeth very determined is interesting; at one point in the chase they even bust through a cave entrance.

After the gang save Bron, the film ends there. If I were to change something, it would be give about 10 more minutes, enough to show a final battle between Bron, Grandpa Longneck, and Topsy against Red Claw, Screech, and Thud (Akin to my crossover fic, "It Came from the Mysterious Beyond").

The Characters

Your favorite Gang of Seven are back. Littlefoot the Leader Longneck, Cera the Proud Threehorn, Ducky the much older sister to a new batch of siblings (what happened to her three other siblings her age, we do not know), Petrie, God Pterano's descendant (Seriously, there is a long scene about that), and Spike the mute Spiketail who eats everything (STINKWEED EVERYDAY!).

Chomper and Ruby appear in parts of the film, but only play a minor role, the Friendly Sharptooth guiding his friends using Littlefoot's scent. The film doesn't explain much about them sadly, nor do they join up with the Gang of Seven on their journey first hand.

Strangely, despite Bron making an appearance, Shorty doesn't make an appearance AT ALL, not even a mention.

With Kenneth Mars and John Ingle gone, it will be hard to picture Grandpa Longneck and Topsy without those voices. The new voices aren't working for me (I hoped Jim Cummings would voice Grandpa, he did so for King Triton in the third Little Mermaid movie). Aside from Jim and Corey Burton, John Noble and Ed Asner would be good choices as well.

As traditional for the series, each film brings out a new character or two. In this case, it's Eta and Wild Arms. Wild Arms appears to be a Therizinosaurus (a much more accurate one thank god). In a way, WA is basically a flightless version of Guido, only a bit more selfish; he doesn't give a second thought on saying no when Littlefoot asked him to lead him to the Fire Mountain.

Eta is easily the show grabber of the film, and of course in part to Reba Mcintire. Eta is the second Pteranodon character introduced after Pterano himself, who singed part of her wing escaping the burning volcano. There are a couple moments I found hilarious involving Eta talking about her sister. One thing I have to complain is that they play upon the "not smart cowgirl" trope; often she says "I never thought of that" (You would think flying around, you would gain geographic knowledge). Easily connecting her voice style, I would imagine Ashleigh Ball being a good substitute if Eta appears in additional sequels.

For the first time also, a Carnotaurus appears in the franchise, roaring like that of the JP T. rex.

The Animation

Even with three animation studios working on the film, I can easily say that the animation is much better than that of the TV series or Thirteen. But after an eight year absence, it would take a while for the animation to return to a fluidity like that of 10 through 12. It does take a bump at the "Look for the Light" sequence.

The Music

Michael Tavera returns to score the music. Several instances from his older works are heard and are recognizable to older fans like myself.

I am sad that James Horner's work wasn't used, let alone a "In Memory Of."

Of the songs in the film, "Look for the Light" is definitely on the list for my favorite.

Conclusion

In a "Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts" kind of fashion, it's a great comeback film, just something that should be a little more oomph.

Now, what does this mean for the competition, should "Journey of the Brave" had been released the same month as "Friendship Games"?

Before anyone starts, this is ultimately my opinion, anyone can join in for theirs.

"The Land Before Time 14: Journey of the Brave" actually wins my vote.

Why? "Friendship Games" definitely has the advertising power, producing Youtube shorts a few months prior to the film as Hasbro had done for "Rainbow Rocks."

There is one particular detail: The Plot.

"Friendship Games" gets choppy here and there (and I mentioned before that I would want to see that third challenge with Twilight using her power at the last minute) and the plot points are too easy to follow. Worse is that the deleted scenes in said film show Sunset being homesick as described on her profile on the website, ultimately removed (since the film is released halfway into Season 5 rather than the end as the first and second films, I agree it may have to do with rushing to deliver on time). I've mentioned in a blog post that the deleted scenes and the film itself already form two separate universes.

"Journey of the Brave" has a much more consistent story. There is a moment or two that seemed out of place, but overall much better than it's competitor.

Thus concludes the Direct to DVD Domination Battle you've waited for so long. I'm Jongoji245, and I love to hear your thoughts.