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

What’s the Story?

In the twelfth installment of the popular The Land Before Time animated series, young dinosaur friends are happily anticipating the Great Day of the Flyers, during which young fliers like pterodactyl Petrie (voiced by Jeff Bennett) have a chance to show their elders that they're ready to fly in a group. The problem is that Petrie has a hard time keeping up with his synchronized siblings, who are quick to blame him whenever their aerial maneuvers fall apart. Petrie's steadfast friends Littlefoot (Nick Price), Cera (Anndi McAfee), and new feathered friend Guido (Rob Paulsen) help Petrie find the courage to withstand his family's criticism and follow his own flight plan. Meanwhile, Cera, a "three horn" dinosaur is trying to cope with the impending arrival of a younger sibling, and her father and stepmother's lack of attention.

Is It Any Good?

THE LAND BEFORE TIME XII: THE GREAT DAY OF THE FLYERS provides some harmless entertainment for preschoolers, but plods along at an incredibly slow pace. The scene of the friends following a sleepwalking friend to protect him along his somnolent way seemed particularly long. A few perky songs like "Flip, Flap and Fly" are sprinkled throughout to keep the energy level up. However these ditties almost make Barney songs sound sophisticated.

The animation is serviceable, particularly the natural surroundings in which the action took place. The pidgin English of main character Petrie -- "me see friends!" "me no know!" -- might feel familiar to preschoolers, but it's not something that most parents will want to reinforce.