Cinefantastique, September/October 1982:

The Secret of Nimh

Film TitleDBFSCJRFDJHMJKMMDRS
The Secret of Nimh*********
*********
DB-David Bartholomew FSC-Frederick S. Clarke
JRF-Jordan R. Fox DJH-David J. Hogan
MJK-Michael J. Kaplan MM-Mike Mayo DS-Dan Scapperotti

A stunning first feature by ex-Disney employees that puts Disney's THE FOX AND THE HOUND to shame. It's too bad the story -- two stories, really, not very well integrated -- isn't up to the level of the artwork. The film has a schizophrenic tone in its attempt to be both dark and adult, and cutesy and family-oriented.

*** Kyle Counts

The latest in this year's crop of films Disney probably wishes it made. The animation is nice and, if the backgrounds seem a bit static, at least they're detailed and charmingly colored. But the bottom line is: can today's urban audiences identify with rats as heroes?

** Judith P. Harris