Oh DreamWorks, you have given us so much over the years.
You re-imagined our childhood hero’s with Rise of The Guardians. You proved that dogs really are smarter than us with Mr Peabody and Sherman. You demonstrated beyond any doubt that looks can be deceiving with Shrek and took us to the skies in How to Train Your Dragon.
Now the quirky animation wizards are back with a brand new adventure, where worlds collide and an Alien invasion is not quite as Hollywood had predicted.
The film is the latest in a long line of book adaptations from DreamWorks Animation. Home is based on The True Meaning of Smekday by Rex Adam. The film is more inspired by, rather than an overall faithful adaptation of the book. Director by DreamWorks veteran Tim Johnsons whose work includes Antz, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas as well as Over the Hedge, lends his talent to this great film. Johnson adds to his already impressive CV with his interpretation of Home. Every bit as cute as Oh himself the love you feel for the characters and their bond captures your heart where the clichés of the story fail.
The story can be described as a buddy comedy. The two strangers meeting and setting out on an adventure together. Misunderstandings, trouble and a cat called Pig cause havoc at every turn as the two characters learn about one another. The journey its self feels familiar but the characters play out their roles with such warmth making the film a joy.
One of the most complicated things to animate is surprisingly humans. Trying to animate a realistic looking person is amongst the toughest challenges to overcome in CGI form. Here Tip in particular is accomplished. The bounce and texture of her hair as well as the look and feel of her skin is brilliant.
For Oh the animators have portrayed such personality despite his simplistic alien form. His emotions and mind state can be seen through the Boov’s colour changing but in his large eyes character and tone are displayed brilliantly.
Clear facial similarities can also be linked to Tip and her voice actor pop-star Rihanna. With her brown skin and green eyes the inspiration is clear. Rihanna voices Tip as a feisty and intelligent young girl who desperately misses her mother. Maybe a commercial vocal choice but she does a good job in her role.
A cute and sweet story of friends from different worlds. Not quite to the level of Shrek or Dragon but what Home lacks in story, it retains in heart. See this for fun, adventure and the real identity of The Gorg, which will have you in stiches.
Want To Read More?
Is Oh as great as these characters?
Read Jo's Top Dreamworks Characters now!!
Home is out this Friday!