Film Review: "Home" (2015).

"Worlds Collide" in Home. This computer-animated science-fiction comedy film directed by Tim Johnson, adapted by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember, loosely based on Adam Rex's 2007 children's book The True Meaning of Smekday, and produced by DreamWorks Animation. When Oh, a loveable 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 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 human.

In 2008, DreamWorks Animation optioned the right to adapt Rex's book into an animated feature film. In 2011, on his blog, Rex announced that DreamWorks renewed the option. In late June 2012, Jim Parsons and Rihanna would star in the then titled Happy Smekday! In September, 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation announced a November 26, 2014 release date for the film. In June 2013, the film was retitled to Home. In early October, it was announced that Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez had joined the cast. In 2014, Variety reported that, in addition to her voice role, Rihanna created a concept album for the film which will be released on March 17, 2015. In late May, the film's release date was pushed back to March 27, 2015, switching places with DreamWorks Animation's film Penguins of Madagascar (2014). DreamWorks Animation's CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg, reasoned that Penguins, coming from one of DWA's most successful franchises, would more easily stand out during Thanksgiving time, while Home would try to take advantage of the less competitive spring release window, and repeat successful spring launches of some of DWA's original films, including The Croods (2013) and How to Train Your Dragon (2010). In anticipation of the film's release, a prequel short film, Almost Home (2014), was shown prior to theatrical screenings of Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) and Rio 2 (2014).

The film stars the voice talents of Parsons, Rihanna, Martin, Lopez, and Jones. Although the voices were well-chosen, and they have, without doubt, their particular charm, the characters in general leave a lot to be desired.

Though it doesn't approach the depth of the best animated films, Home has enough humor and special effects to entertain moviegoers of all ages. Though the film is raucous and undemanding flat entertainment, no doubt. With films such as this one, DreamWorks still has a lot to learn about the superior powers of immersion exerted by a well-told story. Films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and WALL-E (2008) had more charm, more soul, more everything. But there's enough merry mischief here to satisfy, even if you’re way past puberty. However, there's good fun to be had with the film, and it carries a worthwhile message about how every person of worth, no matter what planet they're originally from, has a place to call home.

Simon says Home receives:

Also, see my review for Penguins of Madagascar.