Review of Mars Needs Moms (2011) by Brandon M — 26 Mar 2011

It's not really all that bad. :).

A lot of people unfairly knock the animated performance capture features. While I admit that many of the human characters in them do look creepy and move oddly--some are often little more than large video game avatars--others are kinda cool-looking and inventive (the Spirits in Zemekis's "A Christmas Carol," Grendel's Mother in Beowulf"). "Mars" also has some fun character designs and neat environments (somewhat reminiscent of PIXAR's "Wall-E"). While protagonist Milo (Seth Green) and his mother (Joan Cusack) are of average cgi quality, Gribble (Dan Fogler) is actually quite impressive in design and emotive ability. Maybe fat people are easier to animate. The Martians, while admittedly odd-looking, are also fun designs.

The story isn't bad, but it definitely has a lot in common with 2001's "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius." It has some interesting cultural ideas in regards to the Martians, and a good message for kids. While the narrative isn't very original, it's handled in a way that feels very different from anything I've seen before somehow (and I've seen LOTS of sci-fi films and animated kids movies).

The film's comedic moments and one-liners really aren't all that funny. Its humor is definitely targeted more at children. The female Martian who speaks like some hipster from 1970s America begins to wear on the nerves a bit too. I do, however, find joy in watching the self-obsessesed, mess of a man-child called Gribble, fall over himself and chew the scenery. Not quite sure why. Just do.

Overall, it's not really a groundbreaking film for mo-cap technology or animation, but it's a fun diversion. Certainly the film deserves a look if only to examine the intriguing oddity of Gribble...and to marvel at the pretty colors.

Peace.