BATTLE FOR TERRA

RYAN: There’s a new animated 3D family movie opening this weekend, “Battle for Terra.”

CAROLINE: Featuring the vocal talents of Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, Chris Evans, James Garner, Danny Glover, Justin Long, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid and Ron Perlman.

RYAN: And I have to tell you aside from Luke Wilson, I didn’t recognize a single voice in this film.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ Really? I didn’t see this one with you and it’s probably a good thing since you know how I feel about kids’ movies.

RYAN: Well, this is a good one to skip.

CAROLINE: How nice for me.

RYAN: On the good side, it has a beautiful moral and message. It might have been titled “Humans vs. Aliens” since it’s about a war between humans and aliens for the same planet, Terra. And though the message is “Can’t we all just get along?” it’s not a very entertaining way of getting there.

CAROLINE: How was the 3D?

RYAN: It wasn’t even noticeable.

CAROLINE: Really? In this day and age?

RYAN: Yes. And that’s a problem for a 3D film.

CAROLINE: I’d say.

RYAN: I mean, there were a couple scenes in the snow where you wanted to touch the snowflakes; but otherwise it might have been just a regular animated movie.

CAROLINE: Ouch. Were there any standout performances?

RYAN: Not at all. This movie is really unremarkable. I’m the opposite of you when it comes to family films ‘cos I generally like them; but this one was just so eh.

CAROLINE: Wow. It sounds rough.

RYAN: I mean it’s not a complete waste of time, but it just wasn’t, like, cool and the story was a little clunky. I think that some kids will enjoy it – probably more boys than girls, but it’s not a fun movie, you know?

CAROLINE: I’m sure I don’t. I’d have been miserable watching it.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: It’s a very average family movie. So far, every 3D movie we’ve seen with this new RealD 3D technology has been so brilliant that it alone might make some films worthy. That’s not the case here. It might be fun to take some children to, but it’s not a fabulous one.

— RATING —