You could say it's Pixar's fault; because of their phenomenal
output, it is easy to expect that any new CGI animated feature film would at
least aspire to reach their heights of family-friendly story-telling. Not just wanting to make technically
impressive and visually stunning computer animation, but something that has
enough substance to not just entertain children, but resonate with their
parents, too. This latest offering from DreamWorks
Animation - 'Home' - doesn't live up to the Pixar ideals, sadly. Although it'll keep children amused and
entertained for its 90-odd minutes running time, grown-ups will find all of the
familiar plot and character beats predictable.
Which is a shame, as the premise could have allowed for something really
funny and perhaps a little subversive.
The set-up sees an Alien race called the Boov
(technologically advanced but almost completely inept - but still cute enough
for audiences to warm to them), running from another alien race that destroyed
their planet, decide to settle here on Earth.
Considering humans to be backwards they literally pluck each person from
wherever they are and relocate them to prefabricated (and very small-town America-looking,
right down to the white picket fence) settlements in the middle of an Australian
desert. In the midst of this, an outcast
Boov named Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons, best known as Sheldon from TV's The Big
Bang Theory) is thrown together with a human girl named Tip (voiced by Rihanna
- yes, the singer) who is trying to find with her mother (Jennifer Lopez).
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| Tip (Rihanna) and Oh (Jim Parsons) are your typical mis-matched duo who end up getting along... |
Much of the film's fun and amusement is in the way that
the Boov completely lack understanding of human technology and culture - unable
to see the purpose of many items such as bins or bicycles, and viewing engine
oil, bolts and even paintings as foodstuffs.
Although these moments do raise a few smiles, this is the first instance
where the film feels like they've missed an opportunity - this could have been
ripe for some satire about the frivolousness of so many of the consumer wares
that we place so much value upon and desire so greatly. The next is in the culture and speech-pattern
of the Boov themselves, who mostly use a syntax that, Yoda-like, muddles the
order of certain words ("Can I come in to the out, now?"); it feels
like the writers could have gone further to craft funny and memorable misuses
of the English language (sometimes, bizarrely, the Boov seem to have a lapse
and speak normally).
The cast fill their roles capably with what they're given
- Parsons' tones are perfectly suited to the Boov - but, again, you can't help
but feel they could've been given more to do; especially Steve Martin as
knuckle-headed Boov leader Captain Smeck, although he nails an appropriate
tone that mixes idiocy with a retro-styled heroic voice, the writers could have
written a funnier and more memorable role.
We are, after all, talking about a comedy
legend, renowned for his zany turns in several great films - this one might have benefited from a bit
more, well, zany-ness.
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| This is yet another American film that sees European (specifically, French) landmarks put in harm's way... What have they got against European landmarks and heritage? |
Add to this a story that is pretty straight forward (most
adults will see most of its twists and turns coming, probably even before the
film signposts them), with a 'be true to yourself' message that's pretty
standard for this sort of thing, and you have a film that seems to have been
squared entirely at kids. The design of
the Boov is clearly aiming at the same bracket of cute appeal that those
Minions have. At least it doesn't try to
take any obvious pop-culture based stabs at humour - although DreamWorks
arguably started this with 'Shrek', this has become a lazy way of chucking in
adult-friendly jokes to try and elevate material that's really just for kids. To wit: the soundtrack includes at least a
couple of Rihanna's own songs, presented in a totally un-ironic fashion (if I
was cynical I'd say that this is a neat bit of marketing for her newest album,
but the film gets a pass due to the relative absence of aggressive marketing
which usually runs through these sort of films).
'Home' is a film that will entertain children, without
troubling them with any significant peril or violent imagery, and will most
likely charm them with the cute alien designs.
For parents however, it might not offer much that will sustain their
interest - which is a shame, because as Pixar have demonstrated on numerous occasions,
it is possible to entertain both kids and adults with CGI animated features.
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