Home (7/27/2015)

Rated PG for mild action and some rude humor.

Starring the voice of Rihanna, Jim Parsons, Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez

Directed by Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge and Antz)

This is not the next wildly popular animated film, but most kids will still enjoy it.

When Earth is taken over by the overly-confident Boov, an alien race in search of a new place to call home, all humans are promptly relocated, while all Boov get busy reorganizing the planet. But when one resourceful girl, Tip (Rihanna), manages to avoid capture, she finds herself the accidental accomplice of a banished Boov named Oh (Jim Parsons). The two fugitives realize there’s a lot more at stake than intergalactic relations as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime.

I mean seriously that’s the story line. Some animated stories can be enjoyed on two levels – an adult level and a kid level. Recent films like Big Hero 6 and The Lego Movie have done this really well, but Home is purely for kids. That’s not a bad thing, but it is something to keep in mind.

But it also feels a lot like 2002’s Lilo & Stitch. Remember when a lonely girl befriends a goofy space alien who’s a fugitive being chased by his own kind and in the process, they both learn the true meaning of friendship and family? Yeah? I’m not even sure what movie I’m describing. One big difference is the “camps” the humans are put in after they are rounded up by the aliens. Seems dark right? Well it’s not. In fact it’s too colorful and happy.

As far as the cast goes, there is nothing really groundbreaking either. Jim Parsons is really funny on The Big Bang Theory, but as the alien Oh, it feels more annoying than funny. His method of speaking for example is a mix of mangled English and “Yoda speak”. Like when he’s dancing and he yells, “My hands are in the air like I just do not care!”

I’m not really a fan of Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez, but even their biggest fans would have to agree that their performances are a little flat.

The most intriguing element of the whole movie reveals itself at the very end, when we find out who the Gorg actually are and what they’ve wanted all this time. Don’t worry, no spoilers here.

This was not my favorite animated film of the year, but it’s worth a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is nothing offensive in this film.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What is the Boov way of handling conflict?


2. What does Tip teach Oh about living up to one’s promises, especially when it is difficult?

Read Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’


3. How would this verse have helped Oh?


4. How can we do a better job of keeping our word, especially when it is difficult?