Too Much Focus on Littlefoot?

[LittleDas75]

A common criticism I have heard from critics is that the sequels focus way too much on Littlefoot to the point where he isn't interesting anymore. Do you agree or disagree? Personally, I can see where they're coming from but it doesn't bother me too much.

[Amaranthine]

He's the main character, of course he's going to have the most focus. Whether his characterization objectively works or not is another matter entirely.

[Sneak]

- These Longnecks always think they're the most important.
- Yeah!  Why this egghead has so much attention? It will be better if some smart and brave girl takes his spotlight place...

----
Well, honestly, in last years, I had such feeling. Not very strong and accusing feeling, but still.
Considering movies, only movie without Littlefoot's plotline is XII (in my opinion). And in my opinion, it's quite a lot. Even if he's my fav loveable character, even if he's the most central protagonist of series... Sometimes, such huge amount of time, when you have other characters, is not the best option. Because of that, now I have more interest of rewatching that movies and TV episode where Littlefoot is not main character, even if these movies  and TV episodes are not great in my opinion.

Still, this fact didn't change my opinion about Littlefoot himself, he is stilll interesting character for me.

[LittleDas75]

He's the main character, of course he's going to have the most focus. Whether his characterization objectively works or not is another matter entirely.

Agreed.

[Dr. Rex]

Interesting. As much as I like Littlefoot as a main character, I also find myself drawn to the movies and storylines where a supporting character is the central focus, e.g. LBT VIII and LBT XII. It's a very nice and unique change of pace.

[Sporeguy97]

While I do think a movie based on a different character in The gang of seven like for example LBT 12 but instead of Petrie it's something about ducky (shout out to the swimmer trials fanfic) or ruby would be cool and yes I do think LBT 15 will happen someday, littlefoot is the star of the show and without him it would just be like if mario wasn't in Super Mario bros.

[Gentle Sharptooth]

Nah, you need a central protagonist. But there are movies that focus on the rest of the Gang, the Day of Flyers is Petrie's and Ducky is Stone of Cold Fire.

[HotelValleyfornia]

This has been a question I've pondered on in the past. Being a film with 13 whole sequels, you'd think there'd be a little less longneck and a little more of everyone else.  Plus, Littlefoot's character arc was more or less completed in the first film, and to an extent the first sequel.

But at the same time, I get it. Littlefoot is the de facto protag of the franchise, so it's natural that he gets the lion's share of the spotlight. Also, I don't think Littlefoot's case of Main Character Syndrome™ is anywhere near as obnoxious as certain other franchises. For example, Lilo and Stitch. In that particular franchise, it feels like the livelihood of basically every character orbits around Stitch like the sun. In the TV show, Stitch is more often than not the ONLY reason anything ever gets done, always being the hero and cleaning up almost every mess - when Lilo is ALSO a title protag, y'know. It's not always the case, as episodes like Yaarp and Spike show other characters taking charge and being heroes, but 9 times out of 10 it's Stitch who fixes everything. Whereas in The Land Before Time, yes Littlefoot is the main character, but he shares the heroism about equally with his friends and even other characters like his grandpa. It feels a lot more equal to me as a result. Littlefoot isn't the center of the confounded universe, he's EQUALLY as capable as his friends are - while still sticking out in enough ways to let you know that he's still the central protag.

That said, I think if we got more movies past the 14th one, I think we could've gotten more movies that bring focus to characters besides the big L. For example XII was much, much more focused on Petrie and to an extent Cera than on Littlefoot, and VIII was a time to shine for Spike and Ducky. In general the movies that are more focused on the non-LF members of the Gang have always stood out to me for giving them the time in the sun they hadn't really gotten before at that point. And that, I think, is part of why The Land Before Time as a franchise still holds up years later.

[Gentle Sharptooth]

This has been a question I've pondered on in the past. Being a film with 13 whole sequels, you'd think there'd be a little less longneck and a little more of everyone else.  Plus, Littlefoot's character arc was more or less completed in the first film, and to an extent the first sequel.

But at the same time, I get it. Littlefoot is the de facto protag of the franchise, so it's natural that he gets the lion's share of the spotlight. Also, I don't think Littlefoot's case of Main Character Syndrome™ is anywhere near as obnoxious as certain other franchises. For example, Lilo and Stitch. In that particular franchise, it feels like the livelihood of basically every character orbits around Stitch like the sun. In the TV show, Stitch is more often than not the ONLY reason anything ever gets done, always being the hero and cleaning up almost every mess - when Lilo is ALSO a title protag, y'know. It's not always the case, as episodes like Yaarp and Spike show other characters taking charge and being heroes, but 9 times out of 10 it's Stitch who fixes everything. Whereas in The Land Before Time, yes Littlefoot is the main character, but he shares the heroism about equally with his friends and even other characters like his grandpa. It feels a lot more equal to me as a result. Littlefoot isn't the center of the confounded universe, he's EQUALLY as capable as his friends are - while still sticking out in enough ways to let you know that he's still the central protag.

That said, I think if we got more movies past the 14th one, I think we could've gotten more movies that bring focus to characters besides the big L. For example XII was much, much more focused on Petrie and to an extent Cera than on Littlefoot, and VIII was a time to shine for Spike and Ducky. In general the movies that are more focused on the non-LF members of the Gang have always stood out to me for giving them the time in the sun they hadn't really gotten before at that point. And that, I think, is part of why The Land Before Time as a franchise still holds up years later.

I think Cera had some focus in LBT III with her Dad being Drought Warden. I mean Topsy does that great song "Tough."

[HotelValleyfornia]

This has been a question I've pondered on in the past. Being a film with 13 whole sequels, you'd think there'd be a little less longneck and a little more of everyone else.  Plus, Littlefoot's character arc was more or less completed in the first film, and to an extent the first sequel.

But at the same time, I get it. Littlefoot is the de facto protag of the franchise, so it's natural that he gets the lion's share of the spotlight. Also, I don't think Littlefoot's case of Main Character Syndrome™ is anywhere near as obnoxious as certain other franchises. For example, Lilo and Stitch. In that particular franchise, it feels like the livelihood of basically every character orbits around Stitch like the sun. In the TV show, Stitch is more often than not the ONLY reason anything ever gets done, always being the hero and cleaning up almost every mess - when Lilo is ALSO a title protag, y'know. It's not always the case, as episodes like Yaarp and Spike show other characters taking charge and being heroes, but 9 times out of 10 it's Stitch who fixes everything. Whereas in The Land Before Time, yes Littlefoot is the main character, but he shares the heroism about equally with his friends and even other characters like his grandpa. It feels a lot more equal to me as a result. Littlefoot isn't the center of the confounded universe, he's EQUALLY as capable as his friends are - while still sticking out in enough ways to let you know that he's still the central protag.

That said, I think if we got more movies past the 14th one, I think we could've gotten more movies that bring focus to characters besides the big L. For example XII was much, much more focused on Petrie and to an extent Cera than on Littlefoot, and VIII was a time to shine for Spike and Ducky. In general the movies that are more focused on the non-LF members of the Gang have always stood out to me for giving them the time in the sun they hadn't really gotten before at that point. And that, I think, is part of why The Land Before Time as a franchise still holds up years later.

I think Cera had some focus in LBT III with her Dad being Drought Warden. I mean Topsy does that great song "Tough."

That too. And that's a reason LBT III is another movie that always sticks out in my mind.

Cera also got a lot of focus in XI and XII. I mean Cera's XII arc DID give us my favorite character

[Gentle Sharptooth]

That is a great point, Cera was instrumental in Ali's arch.