Review Roundup: Kid-Friendly Comedy HOME Opens Today

An all-star cast lend their voices to the new kid-friendly comedy HOME, which hits theaters nationwide today. The film is based on Adam Rex's children's book THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY.

The story follows a young girl named Tip who cleverly avoids alien capture when Earth is invaded. Determined to survive, Tip sets on a quest to search for her lost mother with her friend Boov, who is a banished member of the alien enemy race.

HOME stars Rihanna, Jim Parsons, Jennifer Lopez, and Steve Martin.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: The short, squat creatures that turn up in animated movies may all be starting to run together in your mind, which makes finding a distinctive voice for such characters all the more important. The creators of "Home" made an inspired choice...recruiting Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory" for the job, and... pairing him with the pop star Rihanna. The result is a charming concoction with positive messages for younger children about conquering fears, understanding outsiders and knowing yourself.

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: The movie is pretty droll, and it agitates for cross-species friendship; its aggressively packaged heart-tugging elements come with an interplanetary friendly resolution.

Peter Debruge, Variety: Unimaginative and downright predictable by grownup standards, but bursting with elements sure to appeal to younger auds - including cutesy character design, quotable alien catchphrases and solid musical/vocal contributions from Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, who add a dose of diversity to the human cast...DWA's lone 2015 feature release should [reinforce] the studio's recent standing as the Pepsi of the animation world: It's potable, but a distant second to the real thing.

Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter: While certainly not the freshest concept in the galaxy, the caper gets a nice boost from animation newbies Rihanna and Jim Parsons.

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: Tension is one of "Home's" biggest issues. There just isn't nearly enough of it. Story is another. Even a kids' movie needs more complexity and more invention.

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: But aside from Parsons' initially amusingly mangled Yoda-like English, which gets a tad repetitive, Home doesn't stand out as fresh or particularly funny. There are stretches that feel flat, and, if the kids at a screening I attended are any indication, that translates as boring to younger moviegoers.

Tom Russo, Boston Globe: Jim Parsons brings his own irrepressible energy to DreamWorks' 3-D animated "Home," segueing from almost-alien misfit Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory" to alien misfit, period.

Rick Bentley, Detroit News: The combination of a feeble script, unnecessary music montages, unlikable characters and so-so animation leave "Home" a close encounter of the dull kind. E.T. would use his call to phone the theater to get his money back.

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