Today’s quick review: Home. Looking for a planet to hide from the Gorg, the Boov take over Earth, relocating all of its inhabitants to artificial communities based on the Boov’s crude understanding of human culture. Tip (Rihanna), a teenage girl, is separated from her mother Lucy (Jennifer Lopez) in the chaos. To find her, Tip teams up with Oh (Jim Parsons), a naive Boov who became a fugitive when he accidentally sent the Gorg their location.
Home is a family animated sci-fi adventure about an alien invasion. The story follows the unlikely friendship between a human girl and a Boov outcast as they look for her mother and a way to undo his greatest mistake. Home features a fast-paced plot, cartoonish comedy based on alien anatomy, and a decent story about bridging cultural divides. However, its particular flavor of ridiculous humor will not appeal to everyone.
Home’s main weakness is its rough start. The early part of the movie introduces the Boov, their invasion of Earth, and Oh in particular. The Boov are designed for comedy, from their elastic bodies to their gravity-based technology and skewed perspective on humanity. As such, the movie is front-loaded with forced and predictable humor. Some viewers will find Oh and the other Boov endearing, but for others, it will be a bad first impression.
Home comes into its own as its plot gets underway. Tip and Oh set off on a trip around the globe in a flying car, avoiding Boov patrols as they look for Tip’s mother. The story is typical for a family adventure, but it manages to squeeze in more plot than usual. The animation works perfectly for action sequencs and chases. Finally, Home is bolstered by an energetic soundtrack that does excellent work setting the tone of the film.
Home will not suit everyone. Its over-reliance on goofy humor, mediocre friendship between its main characters, and rocky start keep it from being a surefire hit. But once it finds its rhythm, Home is a fun adventure with some charming moments and entertaining gags. Younger audiences and anyone who enjoys family-friendly animation should give it a try. Skip it if you’re looking for something with a more powerful emotional impact.
For a more emotional family adventure about a friendship with an alien, try E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Lilo & Stitch. For another animated movie about an alien invasion, try Chicken Little. For another family sci-fi film that provides a new perspective on human society, try WALL-E. For a sci-fi comedy with a drier sense of humor, try The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
[6.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2224026/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good energy and a few questionable choices.