Here we go again. The original film is a minor classic; the direct-to-video sequels have a few definite high points, but mostly exist in the territory of "so-so" and "softly enjoyable." Nearly twenty years into the 'Land before time' franchise, it's only reasonable to approach the thirteenth installment with very mixed expectations. Special guest stars Sandra Oh and Cuba Gooding Jr. Lend some extra star power while regular cast members remain, including industry icons Jeff Bennett and Rob Paulsen; producer Charles Grosvenor declines directorial duties for the first time since he first took the helm in 1997, making way for Jamie Mitchell. Everything and everyone else seems to have remained consistent, so it's safe to assume 'The wisdom of friends' will be just as consistent, for better and for worse. And so it is.
The animation is overall excellent, including welcome detail in the beautiful backgrounds, and not truly any less so in character designs, effects, and other active elements; on the other hand, some nuance has arguably been traded out for more vibrant colors (seen as far back as 2000), some tidbits that we get (e.g., characters dancing) feel gauche and indulgent, and some movement (by character or camera) doesn't translate well with 3D sensibilities. Speaking of gauche, the original songs are decidedly ham-handed, but they're not bad in and themselves, and may even be kind of catchy. The cast give spirited, commendable performances, and the one trouble may be that the performances they're guided into are sometimes excessively cutesy and childish. In general Mitchell's direction is suitable, though I think the pacing may be a bit harried and forced, and the same descriptors arguably describe some other facets every now and again (see also the song "How do you know?").
The biggest problem this picture faces is one that the franchise has struggled with in varying measures from the first sequel, 'The Great Valley adventure,' in 1994. With exceptions - irregular doses of especial cleverness, or earnestness - the video franchise has been characterized by simple, unsophisticated writing, a presentation that favors frivolous entertainment over sincere, meaningful substance. I think it's rather unfortunate that 'The wisdom of friends' leans into that slant more than ever, with only traces of hardier themes or ideas to faintly cement the proceedings. To a dubious extent greater than that of any predecessor, this flick caters somewhat condescendingly to the very, very youngest of viewers with uninvolved silliness rather than to appeal to broader audiences with anything more concrete and thoughtful. If other entries verged on being "Saturday morning cartoons" more than full-length features, this more closely reflects the trivial nothings aired on TV in the middle of the day for tykes who may be too young for even kindergarten.
We still get some mild humor, and some mild adventure, as foremost diminutive dinos Littlefoot, Cera, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike find themselves getting into more shenanigans. There are small, scattered highlights throughout in one fashion or another. The movie isn't specifically bad, and it is duly well made in and of itself. Yet whether we're standing it next to its kin or trying to judge it purely on its own merits, much more than not - despite the name and its de facto fulfillment - this is a fluff piece. There's not necessarily anything wrong with that, for there's a time and a place for most anything in cinema, but it's as if this time around Grosvenor, Mitchell, and Loy had actively forsaken any but the tiniest, almost undetectable slivers of heart that have been the crux of the series since Don Bluth's progenitor. We can get fluff pieces anywhere; however much or little, that heart has been a key component of the continuation of 'The land before time.' If it's so heavily diminished, or absent, why should we bother at all?
I don't dislike this title, and there are much worse ways to spend one's time. There are also better ways to spend one's time, however, for this sits at the rear of the pack alongside 2001's 'The big freeze,' wherein sturdy notions were rendered in a manner too even-keeled and dull, and 2002's 'Journey to Big Water,' which was solid but unremarkable and sort of stale. It's passable and decent enough as something light to watch on a quiet day, and the issue is just that if that's our bar for having a good time, we can likely just do without altogether. Take that as you will, and if you watch 'The wisdom of friends' at all, watch knowing what you're getting into.
