Battle for Terra (2009)

Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas. Starring (voices) Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, David Cross, Brian Cox, Justin Long, Chris Evans, Dennis Quaid, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover. [PG]

The peaceful natives of Planet Terra are beset by antagonistic invaders—the human race from the resources-depleted Planet Earth—who are looking to make Terra their new home no matter the consequence. Derivative connect-the-dots animated sci-fi story is short on invention and excitement; flat character design matches their personalities, cobbled together out of tried-but-true clichés and wooden voice work (the would-be epic frequently has the feel of watching Cartoon Network programming on a lazy afternoon). Its few moments of visual exhilaration are reserved for the aerial combat scenes, even though such favored interest goes against the film’s message of peace. Listen for voice cameos from Mark Hamill, Ron Perlman, and Larraine Newman, among others. Debuted two years prior at the Toronto International Film Festival.

46/100