Don Bluth Month: "Do it for Timmy!" - Thoughts on "The Secret of NIMH"

"My child, we can no longer live as rats. We know too much." --Nicodemus

Oh, God, I don't know where to start.

This is the first movie I really remember ever seeing. Now, I must have seen movies and other things before this one, but this is the first movie I really remember. As with the aforementioned "The Brave Little Toaster", I could tell this one was different right from the start. There was a darkness, poignancy, and overall a maturity I wasn't used to, and where some kids would have been frightened, I was fascinated. "The Secret of N.I.M.H." was the first movie that didn't insult my intelligence. This made me happy. I was, perhaps, five.

And at 32, I'm very happy to say that the film is still wonderful. Now, this was the first time I watched my copy of the 2-disc Family Fun 25th Anniversary Edition (I know, I know), so I've only seen the movie on the grimy pan-and-scan VHS. What I want you to do is run out and grab a copy of this DVD immediately (this goes double if you're a parent with a weird, proto-geek kid). It looks absolutely terrific. Do what I did and watch it on the biggest screen you have ready access to.

Watching "The Secret of N.I.M.H." in this cleaned-up widescreen print felt like watching it for the first time. A few things that struck me on this viewing:

* - Everything about this movie is superb, but the sequence with the Great Owl. Holy s**t. (Yes, I actually did say that out loud. Me = total dweeb.) This scene is Bluth's Crowning Moment of Awesome right here. The animation, the composition, the music, the visual effects, even the sound design -- I don't know what they could have been using for the sound of the Owl walking, but you feel like those talons could tear you to pieces!

* - And this is key to the next thing I noticed: this movie never lets you forget that the heroine is a mouse. Inches high, very low on the food chain, running on fear. Notice how the only thing keeping Brisby on-task is her determination to save her family. She's brave, but it's bravery born out of necessity.

* - The quote at the top of the page. I loved it since I found "N.I.M.H." again in high school, but I just noticed that it informs the entire movie. It's at once funny and sad and scary and poignant. And it is not a line of dialogue you're going to hear in "Cats and Dogs 2".

* - I can only really compare "The Secret of N.I.M.H." to a PIXAR movie (not even other Don Bluth movies). The way it's clearly a labor of love. They way the pathos is undercut with humor. The gorgeous character animation. The epic score. "N.I.M.H."'s closest relative might be "WALL-E" or "Finding Nemo".

More -many more- of my sentiments are reflected in this wonderful "N.I.M.H." tribute page.

Next up, weird video games!

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Sketch of the day! Ducks!



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Announcement: Ebay auctions are back after a summer hiatus. I'm already selling some of the old books and things from the Basement Cleanout. Have a look!