Watch Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend

In 1985, the family adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend hit theaters. Directed by Bill Norton, the movie stars William Katt, Sean Young, and Patrick McGoohan. The story centers around a pair of American paleontologists, Susan Matthews-Loomis (Sean Young) and George Loomis (William Katt), who are exploring the dense jungles of Africa in search of evidence of the elusive Mokele-Mbembe - a legendary creature that many believe to be a dinosaur. When their research team stumbles upon an orphaned, baby Mokele-Mbembe, they must protect it from a greedy pharmaceutical mogul, Dr. Eric Kiviat (Patrick McGoohan), and his team of mercenaries who will stop at nothing to kill the creature and profit from its DNA.

The film takes its time to establish the lush African setting and the scientific inquiry that brings Susan and George to the wilds of the continent. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a local prince who provides them with information about Mokele-Mbembe sightings and a group of pygmies who hold the key to the baby dinosaur's survival. While the film's tone is decidedly family-friendly, there is still a sense of danger and urgency created by the looming threat of Kiviat's armed goons.

What ultimately makes Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend stand out from other family adventure movies of the era is the animatronic Mokele-Mbembe. Designed by the legendary Stan Winston, the creature's movements and expressions are incredibly lifelike and endearing. There is a real sense of connection between the baby dinosaur and the humans tasked with protecting it, and this bond provides much of the emotional thrust of the film. Additionally, the film's themes of conservation and respect for the natural world feel relevant and important, even over thirty years after the movie's release.

The performances from the film's leads are serviceable, if unremarkable. William Katt brings a folksy charm to his role as George, while Sean Young imbues Susan with intelligence and determination. McGoohan, best known to audiences as the enigmatic Number Six from the television series The Prisoner, fully commits to his role as the villainous Kiviat - chewing scenery and spouting memorable one-liners.

Throughout the film, there are a number of exciting action set pieces that keep the pace brisk. These include a thrilling car chase through the jungle and a tense showdown at a pyramid. However, the real heart of the movie lies in the relationship between the baby Mokele-Mbembe and the humans who must protect it. The creature's curious nature and playful antics are a joy to watch, and there are several touching scenes between the baby and its caretakers that will tug at heartstrings.

Overall, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend is a fun, family-friendly adventure that is sure to delight children and adults alike. While the film may not be remembered as a classic of the genre, it is a charming and endearing relic of a time when practical effects and gentle storytelling were the order of the day. Its message of respect for the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it remains as relevant as ever, and its animatronic Mokele-Mbembe is a testament to the power of practical effects to bring fantastical creatures to life.

Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend is a 1985 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.