Movie review: ‘Home’ is a sweet, animated alien comedy for kids
A still from DreamWorks' "Home." (DreamWorks Studio)
Parents need to know that "Home" is based on Adam Rex's children's book "The True Meaning of Smekday." (DreamWorks Studios)
Parents need to know that "Home" is based on Adam Rex's children's book "The True Meaning of Smekday." (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Home” is based on Adam Rex’s children’s book “The True Meaning of Smekday.” This skillfully animated movie creates a believable world in which aliens known as The Boov, running from their enemies, must find a new planet to inhabit … so they take over Earth. Human families get broken up in the forced relocations that follow, and Tip (voiced by Rihanna) is separated from her mother — which could be upsetting for small children. She teams up with Oh (Jim Parsons), the most human-friendly of The Boov, and an adventure ensues. The invaders and their large ships could be a little scary, and at one point it looks as though a main character dies (though that’s not the case). There’s also a little bit of rude humor, but not much in the way of strong language, inappropriately sexy stuff, or substance use.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
The Boov have a problem. Every time their archenemies, The Gorg, find them hiding somewhere new in the universe, The Boov have to run away to a new host planet. And this time, their destination is Earth. The humans — including seventh grader Tip, who ends up separated from her mother — are less than thrilled as The Boov vacuum them up and send them to Australia. But Tip makes an unlikely friend in Oh, an unusually friendly Boov who craves a connection. Despite a rocky start, the two form a bond, and together they conspire to find Tip’s mother and — naturally — save the planet.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
Plenty of creativity and artistry were lavished on “Home’s” production, and the animation is flat-out beautiful. The movie is good, if not startlingly original — which may be just fine for most young moviegoers. The Boov look a little like the adorable Minions from the “Despicable Me” franchise, with some mini-Shrek thrown in. And The Boov’s clueless leader, Captain Smek (an enthusiastic Steve Martin), recalls “Madagascar’s” hilariously egomaniacal but not particularly brave King Julien.
The Boov frown upon courage and lack the human yearning for company; they find human behavior totally bewildering. This makes the lovable Oh an outlier — he’s a guy who wants to party down living among a people who believe that “Parties are useless and take up valuable Boov time.” The relationship between the good-hearted but friendless alien and the skeptical, self-reliant Tip is beautifully rendered. And the songs (sung by Rihanna) that dot the action help enormously to clarify the movie’s emotional underpinnings. The decision to emphasize humanity’s best characteristics — the tendency to display irrational hope in the face of long odds — makes “Home” a feel-good experience even as aliens are taking over the planet.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Educational value: 1 out of 5
Positive messages: 3 out of 5
Positive role models: 3 out of 5
Violence and scariness: 2 out of 5
Sexy stuff: 0 out of 5
Language: 0 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5
Consumerism: 2 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
Theatrical release date: March 27, 2015
Director: Tom Johnson
Cast: Steve Martin, Rihanna, Jim Parsons
Studios: DreamWorks Animation
Genre: Family and kids
Runtime: 94 minutes
MPAA rating: PG
