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2015 review number 40:
Home: (Animation): 69 out of 100: From the studio that has distributed hits like "Shrek", "Madagascar", "Kung Fu Panda" and "How to Train Your Dragon", comes the only animated feature film to be released by Dreamworks Animation in 2015. It is mostly entertaining but bogged down by several melodramatic scenes, along with some humour that drags on to elicit some laughs.
Oh (Jim Parsons), an alien who is ignored by others of his own race, is part of an invasion of Earth by the Boovs, led by Captain Smek (Steve Martin). Even on Earth, his fellow aliens don't pay any attention to him. The human inhabitants are transported to Australia so the aliens can conquer the world. They are on the run from another alien species so they relocate to Earth to begin their new lives. Oh is desperate for some company and one day meets Tip (Rihanna) who is looking for her mum (Jennifer Lopez), one of the many humans taken away from their homes. Together they go on many adventures to save the Boovs from extinction and to search for her mum.
It is mainly a film for kids but there is quite a fair bit of dialogue which the young ones won't understand. They will be entertained mostly by the visuals which are bright and colourful. Seeing it in 3D won't enhance your visual experience; it will work just as well in 2D. For adults there is enough humour to keep them amused although the dramatic scenes border on the melodramatic which won't appeal to those who don't like soap opera emotions in their films. Even though the jokes are fine, there are some scenes where the humour labours the point when a quicker exit to the next scene would have been better.
Tip shows attitude and Rihanna does a good job in displaying her emotions. Oh is funny in the way he speaks and Jim Parsons demonstrates the right amount of humour to bring his character to life. Steve Martin nearly steals the show as the leader of his alien race and it would have been fantastic if he was in more of the movie. Jennifer Lopez's character could have been voiced by any female, which goes to show that she didn't bring anything unique or distinctive to her role.
Having two singers in the cast allows for some songs from them. Rihanna's songs especially are bouncy and energetic, exemplified by the Boovs dancing along to the music in some scenes. The music score also complements the visuals well, providing accurate tunes for the dramatic and action pieces. Attention to detail has been shown in the visuals, especially with the scenes involving iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House.
This movie comes just in time for the school holidays in Australia. Although not a top-shelf animated feature, it is still engaging and entertaining enough to please adults and children alike.
Featuring the voices of Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Martin
(94 minutes)
Parental advice: Low level violence
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLGDJkhYnVc (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Sunday 15th March, 2015)
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