[yasr_overall_rating]
Oh, an alien on the run from his own people, lands on Earth and makes friends with the adventurous Tip, who is on a quest of her own.
DreamWorks Animation offers to its audience a fun buddy comedy with their adaptation of Adam Rex’s 2007 children’s book ‘The Meaning Of Smekday.’ When Oh (Jim Parsons), a lovable misfit from another planet, lands on Earth and finds himself on the run from his own people, he forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip (Rihanna), who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being alive. And as in many other stories told through the ages, our main characters learn that being different is OK. Have we heard this story before? Absolutely. However, a very well written script, mind blowing animation and ground breaking 3D special effects are beyond brilliant.
While he changes her planet, and she changes his world, Oh and Tip discover the true meanings and value of the words courage, truth and family. We get a chance to see a strong, smart and funny young girl as the lead. In many ways Tip is just as much an outsider within her community as Oh is in his. Tip is the “new kid” who doesn’t fit in, and Oh… well Oh just doesn’t fit in. The Boov, Oh’s alien race, are the perfect poster children for anti-social and introverted behavior. Unfortunately for Oh, he wants nothing more than to have friends and be social. You would think that with their less than stellar people skills, the Boov would be unlikable. The Boov’s innocence and gentle nature, along with the humor derived by their misunderstanding of how things work, makes them completely lovable.
The way they’re drawn with such soft squishy colorful features doesn’t hurt either Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez voice Tip and Tip’s mother Lucy, as well as provide the music that had me dancing in my seat throughout the film, and in the aisles with my kids at the end of the movie. The voice of Oh is brought to life by TV icon Jim Parsons. Parsons brings a warm and lovable charm to Oh. It’s fun to hear bits and pieces of Dr. Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory” peek out in Oh. Steve Martin brings his comic genius to Boov leader Captain Smek. Even though Smek is the egotistical narcissistic bad guy, Martin’s comic timing and a well written script had me liking the bad guy almost as much as main character Oh!
“Home” is very much sci-fi for the small fry. It is a kinder gentler Earth invasion than I’ve ever seen in a movie. The Boov are a very innocent and cowardly race. They never fight their enemy, they simply run away to a new planet each time that they are threatened. Even with the relocation of humans, there are no lasers, bombs or any form of violence. Instead, the Boov use large sparkly bubbles supplied with cushions and milk shakes to relocate humans so that the Boov can occupy Earth and where are they relocated? To a Barbie-like colony with amusement parks and endless junk food supplies. It is fair to warn you that the Boov really don’t understand how things work on Earth. This is no better illustrated than when Oh “fixes” Tip’s car by changing out the fuel supply from gas to slushy power.
The car runs on 3 flavors of slushy. Instead of photon torpedoes or death rays, Oh equips Tip’s car with a nacho cheese blaster and hot dog ejector! Did I mention that the Boov never really understand how things on Earth work? This fact provides an ongoing string of jokes and comic explosion. Everything the Boov determine to have no value is eliminated up into giant bubbles to be disposed of. Fair to say that paying attention to the disposal bubbles will reward you with soda through your nose laughter. I had the rare chance to take all 4 of my children with me to review a film. They range in age from 8 – 18. Much to my delight, everyone had a wonderful time. “Home” doesn’t sparkle enough to make the transition from kid’s film to modern classic however, it is possibly the most cheerful, and feel good movie of the year.
In theaters March 27th
Gret Review: The movie gets points for entertainment without raising expectations about a classic. It also seems to be great for a feel good experience. Thanks for giving us more than the trailer.