Alla ricerca della valle incantata 5 - L'isola misteriosa

I love the first "Land Before Time", and still consider it one of the better Don Bluth movies. I have liked most of the sequels, but there have been some I have not liked(more about that another time). Along with "Great Valley Adventure" and "Time of the Great Giving", "Mysterious Island" is one of the better ones. The animation, while not as sophisticated or as handsome as the visual style of the first film, is nice and colourful, and I think it is one of the better animated sequels of the franchise. The incidental music is lovely, and while not particularly memorable, the songs are pleasant "Always There" especially is very touching. And the voice acting is excellent, and the characters are at least likable. Who cannot love that adorable Chomper? All these positives make up for a too-short duration, a touch too simplistic writing and a plot that takes a tad too long to get going. I also thought the singing was mixed, Cera's singing was beautiful but Ducky sounded off for some reason. Asides from these flaws, this is a surprisingly pleasant and watchable sequel. 6/10 Bethany Cox

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.

While the Time of the Great Giving is a much better sequel than the others, this one is also better, but is not as excellent as the original was. The dialog is nice, but the story is predictable and takes way too long to get it going. Even the writing was inept. There are a few redeeming qualities that save this movie. The songs, although not memorable, are pleasant to listen to, especially Always There which was very touching. The animation is beautiful and the voice acting is excellent. Thomas Dekker did great as Littlefoot and the cameo Christina Pickles did great as the sea creature near the end of the movie. The character are likable, especially Chomper which made me feel glad to see him again after The Great Valley Adventure.

Overall, not as excellent as the original, but still a worth-watching sequel.

I am a HUGE fan of the land before time series i started watching them when I was around 6 or 7. This movie is a very good one that goes by 2 titles. This one and The Journey To Big Water. Even though this is a very good movie I believe that number #6 is better. It is me all time favorite. Any ways this movie is awesome and I would watch it over and over again. Its AWESOME ! ! ! The Land before time series is an amazing series.It is awesome especially for kids all ages.it tells about a mysterious land again. Which no one really knows about. And Dinosaurs every child is fascinated by dinosaurs.The songs are also magical on any movie you watch from number one to the very newest one. They all take you on a magical journey of your own.

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.