5 Reasons to Love DreamWorks HOME + Giveaway

In the midst of March Madness, DreamWorks Animation shoots a game-winning shot with their alien adventure, HOME, about lovable misfits who form an unlikely friendship while on a global quest. Based upon the book, The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, this adaptation is a slam dunk! Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory) is a Boov, who just landed on Earth. He’s super excited about fitting into his new digs and ready to start life somewhat as an Earthling. Oh wants to have friends and throw parties. However, other Boovs don’t share his same emotions. Oh tries awfully hard to connect with other Boovs on Earth. He’s happy about his new apartment, and invites his Boov neighbors. Oh gets so eager his invite list extends until he causes the next potential planetary attack by sending out an intergalactic invite to his housewarming party by mistakenly pressing “Send all.” Mistakes are a rarity for Boovs, and now the commander of the Boovs wants Oh banished from the Boovian race!

Gratuity “Tip” Tucci (voiced by Rihanna), is a 12-year-old girl on a mission to find her mom, Lucy (voiced by Jennifer Lopez, Boy Next Door), who’s been taken away by the Boovs. Alone for a long time, Tip has trust issues with Oh. Under the watchful, relentless command of Smek (voiced by Steve Martin, Cheaper by the Dozen), the Boovs travel from planet to planet, conquering weak planets. Read on as we get acquainted with the colorful characters of this soon-to-be award-winning film!

1. Oh and Tip are buddies

When Tip first encounters Oh, she’s afraid and furious. Tip shoves Oh into the freezer. Yes, she has trust issues with her future BFF. Oh convinces her to release him in exchange for reloading her car with Boovian parts. Later, following a “misunderstanding,” she duck tapes him to the car seat to ensure he doesn’t ditch her. Along the way, following some hairy adventures, this relationship builds into a strong friendship.

2. Unwritten quest to understand humanity

Throughout Oh’s road trip with Tip, there is a clash of cultures. Oh asks Tip various questions about the behavior of humans to gain a greater understanding. After all, Boovs are “unilateral” and “all of one mind” – until Tip introduces him to humor, art, family and friendship. It’s fascinating to hear a 12-year-old’s take on life, politics and humanity.

3. HOME Party

From Charli XCX’s “Red Balloon” to Rihanna’s “As Real As You And Me” to Stargate’s “Dancing in the Dark,” my kids and I were tapping our toes and snapping our fingers throughout the movie. Music was definitely pivotal in helping bring characters to life. Oh, goes wild, waving his arms in the air, while experiencing human qualities as he listens to Stargate’s song. JLo’s stirring, “Feel The Light,” also occurs during an emotional moment in the film.

4. Hilarious Road Trip

Directed by Tim Johnson (How to Train Your Dragon), this film is one comedic antic after another, allowing Smek’s character to naturally flow across the globe. From the U.S. to France to China and finally to Australia, this is a mad dash across foreign lands. Smek scours the galaxy, chasing after ingenious Oh for his password. Along the way, Tip teaches Oh to crack jokes and learn other humanistic traits. At first he appears robotic, but toward the end, he develops more humanistic and even sheds tears.

5. Visually Richer

Thanks to new animation Apollo technology first used on How to Train Your Dragon 2, artists were allowed to work with high-resolution characters in real time on their tablets with a stylus. Having seen the results, HOME is the second DreamWorks project where artists again work at the speed of their imagination, sculpting. With Apollo, artists control and manipulate data effortlessly and intuitively, which offers a richer and visually better scope for the audience.

I highly-recommend this film for ages 7 and older.

Rated: PG

Time: 1 hr 36 min

Opens nationwide: Friday, March 27, 2015

GIVEAWAY ALERT! 1 winner will receive the following DreamWorks Home prize pack:

– HOME Cuddle Pillow – Oh

– A copy of the HOME Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Track listings

1. Towards The Sun Rihanna
2. Run To Me Clarence Coffee Jr.
3. Cannonball Kiesza
4. As Real As You And Me Rihanna
5. Red Balloon Charli XCX
6. Dancing In The Dark Rihanna
7. Drop That Jacob Plant
8. Feel The Light Jennifer Lopez

*This giveaway will run through midnight on April 4, 2016 (PST). Winner will be chosen through Giveaway Tools from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact us before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. (18+) residents only. Giveaway item will be provided by sponsor. Sponsor has the right to refuse filling prize for duplicate winners from other blogs. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.