Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Escape from Planet Earth. On a mission to Earth, space adventurer Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is ambushed and captured by General Shanker (William Shatner), the head of Area 51. His brother Gary (Rob Coddry), a brainy operator from Mission Control, launches a hasty rescue mission only to fall into Shanker’s clutches himself. Together, the brothers must find a way to escape and stop Shanker from taking over the galaxy.

Escape from Planet Earth is a family animated sci-fi adventure about two alien brothers trying to break out of Area 51. Scorch, a brash show-off, and Gary, a cautious thinker, have to put aside their differences and learn to work together. Escape from Planet Earth gets off to a promising start, with clear stakes, good character dynamics, and a talented voice cast. However, its execution of its ideas leaves something to be desired.

Escape from Planet Earth does a fine job with the basics. The sibling rivalry between Gary and Scorch is a solid foundation to build on, the idealized space adventures of the planet Baab are a fun inclusion, and the broad strokes of the plot work well, a mission that spirals out of control and needs the help of family to get back on track. All of this, plus a few decent jokes, is enough to make the movie a reasonable pick for interested viewers.

However, Escape from Planet Earth has a harder time managing the details. The jokes are fine but never outstanding. They suffer from mediocre timing and a lack of memorable punchlines. The script has similar problems. The conflicts it sets up are promising, but they tend to peter out rather than building to a big climax. Finally, the sense of spectacle is not what it could be, with no major action sequences to show off the animation.

Give Escape from Planet Earth a shot when you are in the mood for a basic but competent sci-fi comedy adventure. A pleasant world and fun character dynamics makes it an enjoyable watch for anyone who likes the genre. But the movie does not do much to set itself apart, and the payoff is not enough to make the movie worthwhile for a skeptical viewer. Approach with caution.

Check out Monsters vs. Aliens for a similar spoof of classic sci-fi. For an animated sci-fi comedy with more personality, try Megamind.

[5.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765446/). I give it a 6.5 for a serviceable story that’s missing some flair.

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.

Today’s quick review: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), the inventor whose food machine nearly destroyed the world, gets a shot at redemption when Chester V (Will Forte), a celebrity inventor, recruits him for a secret mission. Along with Sam Sparks (Anna Faris) and their friends, Flint returns to the island of Swallow Falls, which his damaged food machine has turned into a lush jungle filled with food animals.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is an animated family adventure comedy. The story picks up shortly after the events of the first film, as Flint gets the chance to prove himself to his idol. The sequel does a good job of building on concepts introduced in the original, adding animate food to the mix and continuing the characters’ story arcs. Still, its bizarre setting and its kid-friendly plot will not appeal to everyone.

Sequels always face the difficult problem of telling a new story that stays true to the spirit of the original. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is one of the few that achieves this. Its premise is a natural extension of the first movie, apart from the excusably abrupt introduction of Chester V and his company. Moreover, the world and the characters have already been established, meaning that the movie is free to try out new combinations of ideas.

In terms of quality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is not quite as sharp or as focused as the first film, but it has a lot of the same appeal. The movie quickly finds its comedic rhythm, using a mixture of over-the-top characters, off-the-wall gadgets, and food punts to keep the audience on their toes. The haphazard style of comedy won’t suit some viewers, but anyone who enjoyed the first film will feel right at home.

As far as weaknesses go, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is an exaggerated version of the first film. The emotional core of the movie is buried under even more layers of comedy, the setting is even less grounded than before, and the movie is almost impossible to watch without having seen the original. But even with these flaws, the movie never makes any serious missteps, and it still works perfectly well as a family-friendly romp.

If you enjoyed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, give the sequel a shot. It captures many of the strengths of the first movie without feeling like a rehash, and apart from a more outlandish story, there is no substantial drop in quality. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a fine pick for anyone willing to embrace the sillier, more eccentric side of the family comedy genre. Skip it if you are looking for a more heartfelt story.

For an animated comedy sequel in the same vein, try The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. For an animated sequel with a similar conflict, try Incredibles 2. For a dark thriller about a cult-like tech company, try The Circle. For a live-action adventure about a journey into a dangerous jungle, try the original Jumanji.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985966/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a story that makes good use of its premise.

Today’s quick review: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), an aspiring inventor, hits it big when he invents a machine that makes food rain from the sky. Sam Sparks (Anna Faris), a rookie weathergirl, jumps on the story and turns Flint’s invention into a popular sensation. But when the Mayor (Bruce Campbell) convinces Flint to crank his machine into overdrive, it threatens to bury the town beneath a storm of giant food.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an animated family disaster comedy about a food machine run amok. Once an outcast for his failed inventions, Flint finds himself a celebrity when one of his machines actually works. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an adventure that’s packed with over-the-top comedy and colorful characters. The movie scores points for its humor and creative plot, but it can be hard to connect with at an emotional level.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs goes places that no other movie can. The plot is a flight of fancy that kicks logic to the curb and lets imagination run free. Flint’s world is filled with off-the-wall gadgets, super-strong cops (Mr. T), aging child mascots (Andy Samberg), and gullible townsfolk, fueling a unique mixture of food jokes, cartoonish slapstick, and mock-epic situations.

The drawback of all this creativity is that the movie can be a little too much to handle. Even ignoring its outlandish premise, the movie goes out of its way to be ridiculous. Countless jokes clamor for the viewer’s attention, and while many of them hit the mark, the ones that miss miss in a big way. It doesn’t help that the most grounded subplots—Flint’s relationships with Sam and with his father (James Caan)—are also played for laughs.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an entertaining romp that takes full advantage of an original premise. Its absurd writing and manic style of humor will put off some viewers, but anyone willing to roll with the punches will find that it has a lot to offer in the way of comedy. Anyone looking for a more grounded, emotionally resonant family comedy should approach with caution.

For an animated spy action comedy about an unconventional inventor, try Spies in Disguise. For another hyperactive family comedy from the same directors, try The Lego Movie. For another animated family comedy with plenty of mad science, try Megamind, Meet the Robinsons, or Mr. Peabody & Sherman. For a somewhat weaker family disaster comedy with a father-son relationship, try Chicken Little.

[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844471/). I give it a 7.0 for quirky fun that may be too far out for some viewers.

Today’s quick review: The Tale of Despereaux. Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a brave little mouse, gets his chance to become a knight when he meets Princess Pea (Emma Watson), whose kingdom has fallen into despair following a tragic accident. Despereaux embarks on a bold quest to lift the princess’ spirits. By a stroke of luck, he meets just the person who can help: Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), the rat who was responsible for the accident.

The Tale of Despereaux is an animated family fantasy adventure about a mouse with gallant ideals. The Tale of Despereaux puts a new spin on classic storybook themes, replacing the knight in shining armor with a humbler protagonist. The movie features likable characters, a cozy story, an intricate plot, and a cast of familiar voices. However, some odd choices when it comes to story structure make the movie hit-or-miss.

The Tale of Despereaux takes a different approach than other tales of chivalry. Rather than a central conflict with a clear villain, it has a winding plot that connects the plights of several different characters. Despereaux enters their lives like the pebble that kicks off an avalanche, causing just a few changes that set many new events in motion. Along the way, he awakens a noble spirit in nearly everyone he meets.

The upshot of this approach is that it is not just a linear journey to confront a villain. The plot requires several important pieces to function, and one of the great payoffs of the movie is seeing how they come together. This structure also means getting to know a broad cast of characters, who earn the audience’s affection bit by bit. Throughout it all, Sigourney Weaver’s excellent narration serves to keep the story on track.

The downside of this approach is that it is indirect. Rather than setting the stage and diving into the meat of the story, The Tale of Despereaux takes its time to introduce the characters, let them play out their individual stories for a while, and only then inch towards the main conflict. In addition to the slow start, the characters are fairly passive. Even Despereaux himself is more of a pawn of fate than a hero in his own right.

The Tale of Despereaux has a very peculiar sort of appeal. It is a love letter to tales of chivalry, and it takes pains to make sure its characters are all loved and respected. At the same time, its unusual story structure and low stakes can make it a hard movie to get into. Fans of optimistic stories and quaint adventures will get what they want out of the movie. Those looking for a story with a stronger backbone may want to steer clear.

For a more even-footed storybook adventure, try Tangled. For an animated comedy about a rodent with big dreams, try Ratatouille. For a musical about a would-be knight, try The Man of La Mancha. For a more irreverent take on storybook heroism, try Shrek.

[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420238/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for storybook charm in a hit-or-miss style.

Today’s quick review: An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island. Fievel Mousekewitz (Thomas Dekker), a young immigrant to America, finds a way to help his overworked father (Nehemiah Persoff) when he stumbles upon a map to buried treasure. With Dr. Dithering (Rene Auberjonois) and his friends Tony (Pat Musick) and Tiger (Dom DeLuise) in tow, Fievel journeys into an ancient tunnel system beneath Manhattan to find out what the treasure is.

An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island is an animated family adventure and the third film in the American Tail series. Against the backdrop of 1880s New York, a bold young mouse and his loyal friends set out to unearth a long-buried secret. The Treasure of Manhattan Island is a serviceable adventure with a bit of action, a bit of comedy, and a splash of American history, but it is missing the heartfelt charm of the original.

The Treasure of Manhattan Island shares some of the same weaknesses as Fievel Goes West, the previous American Tail sequel. The cartoonish aspects of Fievel’s world are exaggerated, while the historical elements are diluted. The Treasure of Manhattan Island plays things a little safer than Fievel Goes West, reverting to a New York setting and touching on the plight of recent immigrants, but it still relies on cheap thrills and contrived twists.

An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island is a fine pick for younger audiences. The characters are charming enough, and the adventure is a cross between classic treasure hunting and finding new friends in unlikely places. But there is not much depth to the story, and it’s missing both the emotional power of the first American Tail film and the memorable villain of the second. Approach with caution.

For a more robust adventure with a more focused plot, try the Indiana Jones movies. For a more rewarding family-friendly treasure hunt, try Treasure Planet or Muppet Treasure Island. For a kids’ movie about meeting an unexpected friend, try E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

[5.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166973/). I give it a 6.0 for a kid-friendly adventure without much substance.

Today’s quick review: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Fleeing the hard living and cat violence of New York, Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser) and his family (Nehemiah Persoff, Erica Yohn, and Cathy Cavadini) move to the dusty Western town of Green River. But when Fievel learns that Cat R. Waul (John Cleese) is planning to eat the mice, he recruits his feline friend Tiger (Dom DeLuise) and Sheriff Wylie Burp (James Stewart) to save the day.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is an animated family Western adventure. The sequel to An American Tail sees the Mousekewitz family take a journey farther west, this time falling for a scam from a manipulative cat. The Western setting works well for a family adventure, and the movie benefits from a talented voice cast. However, weak themes and a haphazard story make the movie a step down from the original.

Fievel Goes West has a strange relationship with its predecessor. The story hits many of the same beats as the first movie, including the Mousekewitz family fleeing from oppression, cats using deception to take advantage of mice, and Fievel getting separated from his family. Yet at the same time, the movie tears down almost everything that was accomplished in the original, replacing it with a cheap plot and vague notions of adventure.

Taken on its own terms, Fievel Goes West is still somewhat shaky. There is no single idea to unify the story, which instead is a patchwork of ideas from the first movie, Fievel getting to be the hero he wants to be, and the overly comedic misadventures of Tiger. Some segments of the movie are fine, and John Cleese’s performance as the genteel villain Cat R. Waul adds a lot, but ultimately the movie is a little too reliant on gimmicks and goofy humor.

How much you get out of An American Tail: Fievel Goes West will depend on your expectations. Those hoping for an insightful historical movie with the drama of the original American Tail will be disappointed. Those looking for a colorful, family-friendly adventure will have fun. Not every fan of the original should check out Fievel Goes West, but fans who are curious and are willing to not take it too seriously may want to give it a shot.

For a much less faithful sequel to a Don Bluth film, check out The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue. For a richer animated Western comedy, try Rango. For a more inventive mouse adventure, try The Rescuers or The Rescuers Down Under.

[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101329/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for flashes of fun embedded in a mediocre story.

Today’s quick review: An American Tail. Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser) and his family (Nehemiah Persoff, Erica Yohn, and Amy Green) leave their home in Russia and immigrate to America, hoping for a fresh start. But on the way over, Fievel is separated from his family. Arriving in New York on his own, Fievel must navigate a new world of danger and opportunity to have any hope of finding his family.

An American Tail is a family animated historical adventure directed by Don Bluth. An American Tail tells the story of a family of mice immigrating to America in the 1880s, facing hardship and turmoil to realize the promise of a better life. The movie creates a richly detailed world and uses it to portray the highs and lows of the immigration process, as well as telling a heartfelt story about a little mouse who has lost his way.

An American Tail succeeds largely on the strength of its premise. The Mousekewitz family’s journey to America lets the movie tap into some resonant themes about immigration, freedom, and the struggle to live. Meanwhile, the small-scale version of New York offers a creative setting for Fievel’s journey. The movie also hits some strong emotional notes as Fievel is separated from his family and faced with a harsher reality than he was promised.

There are a few features of the movie that will put off some viewers. Fievel is less mature than the average protagonist of a family film, and his poor judgement constantly gets him into trouble. This dynamic works well enough for the story, but it can be frustrating for the audience. The world itself is noisy and messy, filled with exaggerated caricatures, extreme dangers, and half-baked coincidences that may rub some viewers the wrong way.

How much you get out of An American Tail will come down to taste, but there is plenty to appeal to the right viewer. Fans of Don Bluth’s style will find An American Tail to be a solid addition to his work, while more general audiences will appreciate the movie’s fusion of the realistic and the fantastic. Not everyone will like what An American Tail has to offer, but anyone curious should at least give it a try.

For an even more serious animated family film from Don Bluth starring mice, check out The Secret of NIMH. For a modern love letter to New York, try Oliver & Company. For a mature, violent crime drama portraying the lives of immigrants in historical New York City, try Gangs of New York.

[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090633/). I give it a 7.0 for rich animation and a moving story.

Today’s quick review: Oliver & Company. Oliver (Joey Lawrence), an abandoned kitten living on the streets of New York, finds a new home when he meets Dodger (Billy Joel), a street-smart dog who leads a pack of strays. Dodger teaches Oliver how to steal to help out Fagin (Dom DeLuise), a homeless man who takes care of the strays. But trouble strikes when Mr. Sykes (Robert Loggia), a ruthless loan shark, comes to collect the money Fagin owes him.

Oliver & Company is an animated family adventure loosely based on Oliver Twist. Oliver & Company follows a young kitten as he searches for a home on the tough streets of New York. The movie features a colorful cast, a catchy soundtrack, and an unusally serious plot for a family film, although it is still fundamentally a comedy. Oliver & Company is a fun watch that is easy to overlook, but its character work is a step down from Disney’s best.

Oliver & Company gets its appeal from a variety of different sources. Dodger makes a strong impression as a wily, charismatic dog, and his pack quickly establishes itself as an offbeat but utterly loyal family. Mr. Sykes stands out as one of the more menacing, realistic villains to come out of Disney. The story also has some heart as Oliver is torn between his new friends and Jenny (Natalie Gregory), a rich little girl who finds him on the street.

The one real weakness of the movie is that its characters miss the mark. Oliver is overshadowed by his friends and never gets the chance to really prove himself. Dutch is a cheat, a thief, and occasionally a bully, although he remains loyal to Oliver once he warms up to the kitten. While Fagin is sympathetic, his criminal tendencies and poor decisions undercut the goodwill he builds. In general, the cast is easy to like but hard to love.

Oliver & Company is an oddity but an enjoyable one. It has the usual mixture of music, comedy, and heart, but its conflicts are somewhat more mature than the usual kids’ fare. At the same time, it has a harder time figuring out a clear arc for it main character and balancing the virtues and vices of its supporting cast. The result is a nice treat for fans of Disney’s animation, but one that will not resonate as strongly as their best work.

For another heartfelt story about a canine criminal, try All Dogs Go to Heaven. For a different animated adventure about the promise of New York, try An American Tail. For a live-action family comedy that pays tribute to the city, try Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095776/). I give it a 7.0 for a fun story with a few rough edges.

Today’s quick review: The Aristocats. Duchess (Eva Gabor) and her kittens (Dean Clark, Liz English, and Gary Dubin) are the pampered pets of Madame (Hermione Baddeley), a wealthy old woman. When Madame’s butler Edgar (Roddy Maude-Roxby) learns that she is leaving her fortune to her pets, he kidnaps the cats and strands them in the countryside, where Thomas O’Malley (Phil Harris), a smooth-talking alleycat, offers to escort them back to Paris.

The Aristocats is an animated family comedy set in Paris in the early 1900s. The Aristocats follows a family of sheltered cats as they embark on a rough journey to get back home. Lush animation, charming characters, a pleasant story, and a dash of romance make the movie an enjoyable watch. While its charms will not appeal to everyone, the film showcases some of the best aspects of Disney’s classic animated films.

The Aristocats’ talent lies in the way it brings its characters to life. Duchess and her kittens have a playful, nurturing relationship that makes them a joy to watch, while O’Malley’s street savvy is just the thing to guide them through the French countryside. Even the minor characters are given the chance to shine, turning an otherwise ordinary series of animal perils into a journey full of life and excitement.

The Aristocats holds a very specific kind of appeal. Its animation has just the right level of detail to capture the characters in motion, its story is a light adventure with just a touch of danger, and its characters are easy to love. Those looking for a richer story with deeper conflicts and more action may find it a little thin. But those looking for something beautiful and unabashedly optimistic will find it to be a refreshing watch.

For a classic animated adventure featuring the vocal talents of Eva Gabor, try The Rescuers or The Rescuers Down Under. For a modern CGI animated adventure about a lost pet, try Bolt. For one that shows off a different side of Paris, try Ratatouille. For a more serious movie about a rich young woman who gets to see the outside world, try Roman Holiday.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065421/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for gorgeous animation and a charming story.