The Secret of NIMH (1982) ***1/2

Watching the 40-year-old The Secret Of NIMH as a middle-aged man is still a treat. I watched this film many times as a child. The dark tone was scary, but I remember loving it too. I can't quite recall if the last time I'd seen it was the late '80s or when it was released to DVD in the late '90s. Don Bluth's first feature after leaving Disney (and taking several of their animation staff with him) holds up quite well. As an adult I can definitely see flaws, but the animation remains gorgeous. I like how the film (mostly) doesn't pander to its audience, there's a palpable sense of danger throughout, and it features one of Jerry Goldsmith's most sumptuous scores.

Don Bluth Feature Films Ranked