Gratuity "Tip" Tucci (Rihanna), a young Barbadian girl who lost her mother, and an alien called Oh (Jim Parsons), an extreme social outcast in the cowardly nomadic alien race called Boov, reluctantly team up for their own personal agendas. And as the two gradually form an unlikely friendship, they discover the difference between their species, the value of their uniqueness, and learn the true meaning of "home."
DreamWorks' latest 3D animated fare, written by Matt Ember and Tom J. Astle, and directed by Tim Johnson, is a cute and hilarious buddy-comedy based on Adam Rex's children's book The True Meaning of Smekday.
DreamWorks' latest 3D animated fare, written by Matt Ember and Tom J. Astle, and directed by Tim Johnson, is a cute and hilarious buddy-comedy based on Adam Rex's children's book The True Meaning of Smekday.
The source of the thigh-slapping humor is the Boov race, a bunch of pessimist wimps led by their narcissistic idiot leader, Captain Smek (hilariously voiced by Steve Martin), the wimpiest of the race. What makes the Boov even funnier is their transparency and inability to mask their true feelings and intentions, because they change color depending on their emotions. But of course, the highlight is our protagonist, Oh, brilliantly voiced by Parsons, whose weird verbal syntax and unabashed candid reaction to Tip add to the uproarious humor of the film.
The animation is flawless, but what is particularly noticeable in this film is the impressively accurate facial expression and gestures of the characters, which greatly contribute to the film's humor and emotional engagement. And Home highlights the value of family, with other subtexts like hope and fearlessness in the face of adversity, and instead of running away from your problems, you face them head-on. And these values are cleverly packaged in a hilarious and visually exciting and entertaining comedy-adventure that you cannot accuse of being preachy.
If you're tired of slapstick cartoons and seeking for a dose of wit (and cuteness), then this is your film. Indeed, Home is one of the funniest buddy-comedies of recent date, and delivers not only a visually superb sci-fi-adventure, but surprisingly makes you question yourself: are you a human or a Boov?
4 out of 5 stars
The only flaw in the movie is Rihanna, who provides a monotonous voice acting to Tip, but because of the witty banter between her character and Oh, it becomes tolerable.
If you're tired of slapstick cartoons and seeking for a dose of wit (and cuteness), then this is your film. Indeed, Home is one of the funniest buddy-comedies of recent date, and delivers not only a visually superb sci-fi-adventure, but surprisingly makes you question yourself: are you a human or a Boov?
4 out of 5 stars
Opens March 26, 2015 in Philippine cinemas
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