DreamWorks’ Home is undoubtedly for kids, and one of their weakest animated films to date.
What’s meant to be a comically touching tale of friendship between a social outcast alien (Jim Parsons) and misfit preteen (Rihanna) ends up unfunny and childishly irritating. The plot, humor and characters are all designed around juvenile entertainment, with minimal engaging material for the older demographics watching. Such design is disappointing from DreamWorks Animation, which has thrived on creating films kids and adults can enjoy—whether it be comically lighthearted films with wacky premises (such as Monsters vs Aliens and Madagascar 3), darker stories which push how mature a family film can get (such as The Prince of Egypt and How to Train Your Dragon 2), or in-between films with comedic plots yet deeper themes and/or hidden innuendos (such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda). Of the three categories Home tries to be the first, but excluding a few courtesy chuckles, only delivers one solid laugh. I wish I could give DreamWorks the benefit of the doubt, blame my stone face on a bad day or sore throat, but the film is resoundingly unfunny.
What’s meant to be a comically touching tale of friendship between a social outcast alien (Jim Parsons) and misfit preteen (Rihanna) ends up unfunny and childishly irritating. The plot, humor and characters are all designed around juvenile entertainment, with minimal engaging material for the older demographics watching. Such design is disappointing from DreamWorks Animation, which has thrived on creating films kids and adults can enjoy—whether it be comically lighthearted films with wacky premises (such as Monsters vs Aliens and Madagascar 3), darker stories which push how mature a family film can get (such as The Prince of Egypt and How to Train Your Dragon 2), or in-between films with comedic plots yet deeper themes and/or hidden innuendos (such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda). Of the three categories Home tries to be the first, but excluding a few courtesy chuckles, only delivers one solid laugh. I wish I could give DreamWorks the benefit of the doubt, blame my stone face on a bad day or sore throat, but the film is resoundingly unfunny.