In einem Land vor unserer Zeit V - Die geheimnisvolle Insel

Ok, I am way behind on these.. I think I stopped at #6.. And yes, they're all terrible. But I actually thought this #5 was the least terrible of the ones I've seen. I guess because it does have a pretty touching song in it ("Always There") and at least it's *different*.. for one thing it gets those dang dinos OUT of the Great Valley and onto an island, and they meet Chomper and do some new, different stuff. Then again I do have a thing about movies where people get stuck on islands.. for some reason I just like them. Anyway maybe that bias invalidates this whole review, but I did think The Land Before Time part 5 wasn't too bad. I mean, if you *have* to watch one of them, you could do worse than selecting this one.

The least that can be said is that the direct-to-video sequels are consistent. While Don Bluth's original film of 1988 is a minor modern classic with welcome earnestness (however much we may scrutinize it), after Universal Cartoon Studios took over the property, each title in turn has been distinctly lesser. They're still modestly enjoyable, but the shortcomings are evident, and they're built for uncomplicated entertainment and flavor more than sincere storytelling and substance even as solid story ideas and themes may be broached. Notably, this fifth entry is marked by the most significant changes in personnel - in its cast, and even more in its crew - since the first sequel of 1994; would that have any impact on the outcome? It should come as little surprise that for better and for worse the answer is "no," and 'The mysterious island' fits right in with its kin. Scarcely any sooner than it begins one can recognize the same tenor, and how much one can get on board with it will depend on how much one can abide something that says "frivolous Saturday morning cartoon" more than "heartfelt full-length feature."

So we again see a movie that boasts many admirable qualities, but which has been reduced and simplified to a more unsophisticated rendition. There is splendid detail and vibrant color in the visuals, including active elements and even more so the painted backgrounds, but the visuals are also robbed of some nuance, and occasionally there's strange, unnatural and stilted movement. The voice cast is great in and of themselves, including icons like Jeff Bennett and Rob Paulsen, but they seem to have been guided into performances that are extra cutesy and childish. The original score doesn't specifically stand out yet is lovely nonetheless; at the same time, the original songs are unfailingly gauche, some being better and some being worse. And while there are indeed honest and meaningful notions in the screenplay, the dialogue, revised characterizations, scene writing, and overall narrative are decidedly more straightforward and uninvolved, catering directly to the very youngest of viewers and declining the complexity and thoughtfulness that would help the material to appeal to broader audiences and stand the test of time.

There's mild humor to go along with the mild adventure and mild drama, and we even see the return of a supporting character for the first time in a few years. Just as some tidbits are weaker, some are stronger, and even quite clever. The sum total is, in fact, light fun that's suitable for a quiet day. One just wishes that the continuing saga of Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike were treated more mindfully, with a smidgen more of the intelligence and refinement that would make for an honest, engaging viewing experience for viewers older than pre-schoolers. I like 'The mysterious island' well enough as it is, but I also won't think on it at all hereafter, and there's the rub.

my kid's love "the land before time" series they learn new songs and see new things my kids are 2 and 4 and find this movies one of there favorites...especially with the song "BIG water" which they sing along with. They identify great with the characters get excited when little foot and his friends get excited they laugh when little foot laughs its an enjoyable movies along with all the movies before it ....its also great as the parents watch with their kids and sing the songs even when the movies off and have a great time. MY vote is a BIG thumbs up!!!

The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island, the fifth installment in the Land Before Time series, we have the return of Chomper in this one! Which I absolutely loved, because he was such an adorable character in the second sequel to the series. Littlefoot and his friends are back and they do get into another squwabble, but it's all good to continue their adventures. I've so far have actually enjoyed these sequels, as silly as they are, I think that they are great for the kids and even as a family film. The characters are lovable and the story has great morals on friendship, trust and respect. I'd rather have my kids watching this vs. some of the shows on the Disney channel today. But The Mysterious Island was a great addition to the story as we continue to see Littlefoot grow with his friends.

After a cloud of locusts descend upon the Great Valley, devouring all plants and leaving it a barren wasteland, the inhabitants must seek another place where they can survive until the plants in the Great Valley have grown back. However, the "Swarming Leaf Gobblers" have left a path of devastation behind them, leaving no food for the dinosaurs to find. After looking for days through this desolation, the herd fight and threaten to separate. The main characters do not want to be separated, so they set out to find a location with plentiful food. They leave a trail for the grownups to find them with, and eventually reach the ocean. There, they see a verdant island connected to the mainland by a thin land bridge. On their way, an earthquake occurs, which they narrowly escape, and which wipes out the bridge. Isolated on the island, they try out Cera's idea to return by using a log as a boat. However, a "swimming sharptooth" attacks, and in the confusion and fright which follows, they end up on the island again. That night, they remember their families, while the herd, who followed the trail, sleep on the shores of the beach on the mainland, worrying for them. The next morning, the children wake up to the shadow of a Sharptooth. They take off, but find themselves cornered by high cliffs. They huddle together when the sharptooth approaches, only to find that it is Chomper. He then helps them to hide from his parents, who are also on the island, and provides them with food upon their request. However, an overcautious Cera openly displays distrust to Chomper because he was a Sharptooth, which grieves him, and he departs. Littlefoot follows him and apologizes, but is interrupted by Chomper's mother. But with a sharptooth's reputation, they don't know if this will be a good or bad meeting as well with the woe of not knowing if they will ever see their families again.

The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island is a good movie, I'm really disappointed in the ratings on these movies, after all they are more meant for the kids. As a child's movie, it's a great one, as a movie that the whole family can enjoy together, I think it's very possible if you give it a chance. Plus you just have got to love Chomper, how could you not? He's so adorable and I loved seeing the sharptooth's reaction to their friendship. But this is a great story and I think these movies are good so far, I'm looking forward to watching the next sequel.

6/10

This is a good LBT, not the best, but certainly is up ahead of quite a few of the others. One weird thing about this LBT: This was directed by Charles Grosvenor and (except for LBT7) all of his later ones did not have as much action, heart, kindness or plot and story as this. Yes, some of his other ones are good as well and yes, they do have action, heart, kindness, plot and story, but not in the same way as this one. The animation in this is also similar to the films before that and it is luckily good quality LBT animation as well.?

The plot is also very interesting, gripping and a little bit more heartwrenching than a lot of other LBTs (even more so than some of the ones before Charles Grosvenor). The first ten minutes or so is very gripping and exciting, showing a swarm of "evil" locusts ridding the great valley of all green. The film goes on, everyone in the valley has to leave to find more food in the dreaded mysterious beyond. The children (Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike), go along with this. As the film goes on we see much betrayal, hard work, teamwork and hope. These feelings are expressed in a different way than a lot of the other LBTs and hopefully this will give pleasure to all who watch it (except for those who think that there should be no LBT sequels, however good they are).? ? So, enjoy "Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island". :-)?

7 and a half out of ten.