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by Sandra Olmsted

Although some of the messages are a little simplistic and less than subtle, director Tim Johnson’s Home has a good heart. When the Boov, aliens whose own home world has been taken over by the evil Gorg, arrive on earth, they deport all the humans to brightly colored “ghettos” in Australia and take over the human homes and cities.

In the process of deporting the humans, Gratuity “Tip” Tucci (voice of Rihanna), a little girl, gets separated from her mother, commandeers a car, and goes in search of her mother.

Meanwhile, Oh (voice of Jim Parsons), a Boov, hits “reply all” and sends an inadvertent email invitation to Gorg. Soon Tip and Oh team up to race around the world to prevent Oh’s email from reaching the Gorg and drawing them to earth.

“Beware of reply all” is one of the less subtle and less interesting messages in the film, and it also provide a problematic plot device, but the most of the other message help Oh understand the human condition through companion animals, music, and Tip’s desire for home. The Boov also strongly evoke, but never really match the lovable Minions of Despicable Me fame.

The techno-pop heavy music track will also delight Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez fans because so many of their songs are in included; listen for Rihanna’s latest release, “Dancing in the Dark” and many Lopez’s old and new hits. Jennifer Lopez also provides the voice of Tip’s mom.

Steve Martin provides the voice of Captain Smek, the not-so-fearless leader of Boov. Although based on Adam Rex’s kid-targeted novel “The True Meaning of Smekday,” fans of the book may be disappointed by the changes in this adaptation by screenwriters Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember.

Home, a Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation release, is rated PG for mild action and some rude humor and runs 94 minutes. Home is in theaters now, and just right for youngsters who won’t mind the unsubtle messages and parents who like music by Rihanna and Lopez.

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