U – 71mins – 1996
STRONGER TOGETHER
“Everywhere things are changing,” so warns the opening narration as we are re-introduced to our weather-wracked prehistoric planet where profuse precipitation is introducing new amphibious species into the dino-dominated eco-system. The earth now too soggy to be lived on, anxious herds are forced to migrate to the as-yet-untouched paradise of the Great Valley.
Yep, that’s right – with none of the calamitous climate-controlled changes yet to affect Littlefoot (Scott McAfee) and co., it is morally-virtuous business as usual for our reliable band of affectionate amigos in this fourth template-aligning Land Before Time adventure, which once more celebrates growth, embraces change and promotes teamwork through a mixture of colourful characters, fun adventures and sing-a-long songs.
Everyone has a part to play and a time to shine – even a not-so-silent Spike (“You talk-ted, yep, yep yep!”) and a furry micro-scamp christened Tickles – when Grandpa Longneck (Kenneth Mars) falls ill. It is up to our brave band of plucky plant-polishing protagonists to set off into the dangerous unknown to find and bring back the golden petal of the medicinal nightflower to save Littefoot’s beloved guardian.
Stubborn Cera (remaining original voice artist Candace Hutson in her final franchise appearance) is forced to overcome her jealousy when a new longneck playmate, Ali (Juliana Hansen), grabs Littefoot’s attention, while our innocent explorers must escape a bickering pair of dependant-yet-uncooperative famished foes in a treacherous overlong cavern setpiece which expands the backdrop but dissipates the pace from this short-but-sweet adventure where even the carnivorous critters are cute in the sunshine.
CR@B Verdict: 
The CR@Bpendium 