Review: "Escape from Planet Earth" is decent space cartoon comedy

"Escape from Planet Earth" PG
Cartoon fantasy is at times a touchy subject, so doing another one with some comedians playing space heroes seems like another money grab, but in this case it seems to work. The flashy cartoon world of a ringed planet called Baab (sounds like Bob) where little blue aliens live is much kiddie fare, Nick toon style. The story is basically fish out of water. The heroic alien stud is accidentally captured on the mysterious planet Earth and his nerdy brother, a much smaller alien, has to rescue him. William Shatner played a toupee tromping scene chewing villain, perhaps a bright spot in the film, whereas other comedian actors are forgettable immediately. (Actually the most laughs werre from the preview for Despicable Me 2, because fake Spanish is so funny, not). The villains pile up when the hero is approached by his brotherr, who gets himself captured, and they find out about the alien snatching humans, and the audience finds out about the villain's love interest, the commander who sent the brothers on the mission in the first place. Then the mother and kid have to rescue the brothers. Nods to Toy Story, ET, Mac and Me, Shark Boy and Lavas Girl, Monsters Inc. and various other films, better or worse, to not make this movie like them, just imitating them. Today it's all about just borrowing gags from other movies. So the kids might enjoy the flashy cartoon visuals whereas the adult parents might be like, huh, what was all that about? It's a decent movie.
Review by Adam Browne