Geekscape Movie Review: Mars Needs Moms
Is it just for kids?
Disney’s latest animated feature directed and written for the screen by Simon Wells (The Time Machine-2002 and Prince of Egypt) about nine year old Milo (Seth Green) who discovers just how important his mother (Joan Cusack) is when she’s whisked away by Martians to help raise their own children. Milo steals aboard the space ship that has abducted his mother in an attempt to rescue her.
When he arrives on the planet Mars and is taken into their underground world he discovers a society dominated by female aliens who are only interested in raising their female offspring. The males are dumped into a wasteland-like environment that Milo escapes to. He then befriends another human, Dribble (Dan Fogler from Fanboys, Kung Fu Panda) who came to Mars under similar circumstances.
Both team up to save Milo’s Mom, but not until he describes how “good” his mom is to the male Martians who haven’t a clue as to what he is going on about:
Reason one, “she takes me to Disneyland,”
Reason two, “she feeds me,”
Reason three, “she tucks me into bed,” and so forth.
I’m sure all the mom’s in the audience know that in order to be a “good mother” you need to take your child to Disneyland. The beyond blatant advertising was insulting and a turn off and one of the many reasons all adults should stay clear of this film unless forced by physical threat.
Animated features can be classified in three categories; watchable by kids, watchable by both kids and adults, and adults only. Mars Needs Moms is one of those that pretty much is for kids only, and pity the poor parents who have to sit through it.
Of course the film has its moments and the cutesy puppy love between Milo and Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), and the Mars version of the wicked queen (Mindy Sterling) are all characters that little kids are familiar with and will doubtless love anyway. The lack of originality drove me batty while I was watching it. It’s almost as if the entire team swallowed up the last few Disney animated features (and snuck a few Pixar in) and then vomited up this flavorless cartoon that does everything it can to yank a tear out from you in the end, only to make you smile happily – if your like nine years old or younger.
Mars Needs Moms brings nothing original to the screen visually or in the soundtrack which was completely uninspiring. You can usually count on at least one good song from a movie like this… so don’t expect any of the music to be nominated.
As for the art, the actual shape of the Martian characters look a lot like re-worked Antz characters. Nothing seems inspiring or original in the Disney production which was based on a kids book written by Berkeley Breathed (artist/writer) of the same title.
The 88 minute cartoon is one big contrived Disney commercial but will little kids love it?
Absolutely.
They might even leave the theater eating their broccoli and appreciating Mom a little more and if you get guilt- ed in to taking your niece of nephew, go ahead and save a few bucks as the 3D was just one more attempt to increase revenue dollars. Kids will love it just as it is.
