If you're a parent, chances are you've seen worse animated films than "Escape from Planet Earth." Mostly, one might add, from the same studio that released this one.
But "Earth" is something of a giant — OK, mini-giant — leap forward for The Weinstein Co. It's not much funnier than most of their earlier fare. But at least it's not as ugly as "Hoodwinked," "Doogal" and the rest.
Reaching that "Space Chimps"/"Planet 51" level of good-looking mediocrity is an achievement. Pop the champagne!
The blue aliens of Baab have this Buzz Lightyear-style hero, "Scorch," whose adventures are covered by live video feed from wherever in the universe he is sent. Scorch is all bravado and swagger and catch-phrase.
"Scorch me, baby!"
He's a regular rock star — and a bit of a dope. He is voiced by Brendan Fraser.
Dopey Scorch always has his mild-mannered tech-nerd brother Gary (Rob Corddry) back at Mission Control, pulling his blue biscuits out of the fire. Until that day that the egotistical Scorch "fires" Gary.
This happens just as Scorch leaves on a mission to "The Dark Planet," the place where aliens — even those who "come in peace" — disappear. Which is what Scorch does, right in front of the 7-Eleven on the outskirts of Area 51. Yes, the "Dark Planet" is our own — Earth.
