nickasocar
When I first saw this movie, I was pretty young, like about 5 or so, and at first, I was kind of confused by what was going on, Then when I saw it later in life, like around 8 or 9 years old, I saw it in whole, and I liked it okay, But then when I saw it as an adult, I realized it's at least a hundred times Better than I remembered!Don Bluth's Work had always been a Mixed bag for me, But this is DEFINITELY his Greatest Work, The Animation is Very well done, and Not nearly as exaggerated as his style later became, namely in the facial features, they're still there, but not to the point where it's Distracting and uncomfortable. Mrs. Brisby herself is a very Lovely and charming Character. She's Frail and Vulnerable, But she does Pull through her turmoils and overcomes many terrifying obstacles to save her family, Namely her sick son, Timothy. And We easily root for her and feel for her every step of the way. Dom Deluise as Jeremy Really threw me for a loop, Him being a comic relief character, I had a special need to be very Judgemental against him, seeing as how they tend to be more annoying than funny, But I was pleasantly shocked to find that not only was he Funny, He was VERY Likable and comedic, I wouldn't see a character like him until I saw Olaf from Disney's Frozen.My favorite Character has to Be Justin, Captain of the Guard to the Rats of NIMH, and at the end, the new leader of the Rats, He was like an awesome guy to be around, and had a pretty playful sense of humor, but at the same time, he can also be pretty bad ass, particularly in the climax.Jenner, the Villain is Actually a Pretty amazing, criminally overlooked Villain. His design looks ridiculously over the top, but Paul Shenar's Performance Really made him work, giving him a charming, subtle, almost malignant personality and motive.I could go on forever about the characters and the story, But it would take up too much room to fill this review. So to end it, this movie is in my top 10, NO! top 3 all time favorite Movies.I loved it the first Time I saw it, and I only love it more and more Every time I see it again.
saggnev
Don Bluth took an excellent book - Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - and turned it into a mediocre animated movie that has non of the book's charm and intelligence.What I liked especially about Robert C. Obrien's book was how he went to a great length to explain with a credible scientific background story (relative to science fiction, of course) how the rats of NIMH became super intelligent animals. Bluth, on the other hand, seems to inject his Christian beliefs into the story by taking away most of the scientific stuff and replacing it with, and there is really no other word for it, magic. And even here he does a poor job, providing a weak story that further diminishes the quality of the movie.My recommendation is to stick to the book and wait until a more talented director take a stab at it in the future.
sciencedog777
Don Bluth left Disney to start work on this masterpiece, and I'm glad he did because this film deserves to be celebrated and persevered. Don't be fooled by it's animated format: this is quite a heavy film for kids and is better enjoyed by adults who can understand the situation that the main character is going through.Mrs. Brisby is a field mouse who is looking after a gravely ill child, but her life takes unexpected turn when she must move her home, which would risk the life of her son. Desperate for help, she stumbles upon a world that amazes her, and the residents speak highly of her deceased husband. What follows is political drama, an aging prophet, and Brisby's faith in her children put to the ultimate test. Her emotions are not only genuine, but very easy to relate too. The supporting cast is full of personality and their relationships with each other are what make this film work. Combine this with truly brilliant animation and you have a fantastic film!
MissSimonetta
The Secret of NIMH (1982) is an 80s animated film with the sensibility of an early Disney feature. Produced during the darkest age of animation to date where selling toys was a greater priority than artistry or storytelling, NIMH was a rebel with its beauty and darkness.Never once does it pander to children by painting the world as a rosy place. Like Disney's first features, it evokes terror just as often as it does wonder. Mrs. Brisby might just be the greatest female character in all of American animation. She is no crooning ingénue nor a hard-nosed warrior, but a mother who's willing to face the worst dangers imaginable to save the life of her child. Her struggle is truly powerful.The animation and music also deserve praise. It's hard to tell that this was a low budget project, so fluid is the animation. Jerry Goldsmith's score is a perfect match for the dark yet hopeful tone of the film.I'm not the biggest fan of much of Don Bluth's later work, but this movie never fails to astound me. It's his magnum opus most certainly. In many ways, this is a precursor to the animation renaissance that would flourish from the late 80s and into the 90s. It deserves more attention than it has been given, that's for sure.
