Home

Looking for something to show my students for the day before Thanksgiving, I went to the Redbox and scrolled through the titles. I was hoping to find something they would like and I wouldn't mind seeing three times in one day. I think I did okay with Home, an animated film from Dreamworks directed by Tim Johnson.

Home is no classic, but it engages a young audience, as all three of my classes were more attentive than usual. The film is bright and colorful and has some amusing moments, as well as some pathos.

The premise is that an alien race, the Boovs, have been searching for a new home across the galaxy. They're being chased by the Gorg, who have destroyed every planet the Boovs have landed on. They're latest place is Earth, and they relocate all the humans to Australia so they can colonize the planet.

A misfit Boov, Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons), who longs to make friends, invites everyone to housewarming party, but he sits "send all" and thus the invitation goes to everyone, including the Gorg. The Boov, led by arrogant Captain Smek (perfectly voiced by Steve Martin) want his hide. He runs, and hooks up with a teenage girl (Rihanna), and together they try to find her mother and stop the Gorg from coming.

For one thing, it was refreshing to see an animated film with a girl of color. The film also has some nice messages about friendship and courage. The Boov, under Captain Smek, know only one response to fear--run away. The humans, who are not as advanced as the Boov, have different notions about danger.

While Home isn't up to Pixar's best, it's a perfect rental for a houseful of kids on a rainy day, if they can' be pried away from their video games.