The Secret of NIMH

Excellent animated tale
A captivating story; smooth, clean animation; and an outstanding musical score combine to make this film a rewarding sensory experience.

Set in the tradition of Disney animated movies (from where Mr. Bluth came), yet this film's flavor is a shade different. I would almost say more "realistic". Not to knock any Disney films (which I love to watch), this movie deals with a problem set on a 'it could happen' level. No search for a Prince Charming here -- just a person (mouse in the film) attempting to deal with the real world problem of how to relocate the Brisby family's home under emergency conditions when one of its members is too ill to move.

The story has charm and wit, and yes, even a bit of mortality thrown in. The art and animation are top notch, and the plot flows without a lot of irrelevant detail for padding. Very young children may not follow exactly what message is being sent to the audience, however, they will probably enjoy the show all the same. For...

"Courage of the heart is very rare..."
Mrs. Brisby is a newly-widowed young mother with four hungry mouths to feed. She's also a tiny field mouse who scrapes out a modest living for herself and her family among the other small animals who live in Farmer Fitzgibbons' field. Harder times have fallen upon the meek and selfless little mouse, however, as her youngest child, Timmy, has become ill with pneumonia just as the family is forced to find a new home before the farmer's plowing begins. Doing anything and everything in her power to help her son and discover a remedy for her moving woes, Mrs. Brisby visits an ingenious little mouse named Mr. Ages who provides her with medicine for Timmy. Unfortunately, the danger comes sooner than expected, and Mrs. Brisby must find a faster solution. At the suggestion of her friend and neighbor, Auntie Shrew, the desperate mother takes her plea to the Great Owl. This is a dangerous task indeed for a tiny little mouse, but Mrs. Brisby will stop at nothing for the welfare of her children...

Can I give 6 stars? EXCEPTIONAL
This movie is one of the best ever made, animated or live-action, people or animals. Parts may be scary for your children, but those parts are short-lived and can be easily explained to calm their fears.

The plot is quite simple: A fieldmouse, Mrs. Brisby, must move her family's home before spring plowing, but there's a problem: her son is sick and cannot be moved. Therefore, she calls on the mysterious rats of NIMH (a laboratory), who have been injected with chemicals to increase their intelligence. In the process, she has to face an owl's den, a cat, a bumbling and hilarious crow, and treachery in the ranks of the rats.

The ending is truly magical and very powerful when Mrs. Brisby uses her stone ("which holds great power when used by one of courage") to do what even the rats cannot. A great tale of courage, and how you can do anything if you try.

Bottom line: Well-animated, well-lit, well-told, well-voiced. As good as any movie can get, for...

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