Film Review: Mars Needs Moms By Dave Montalbano

[Rachel Galvin]

Mars Needs Moms

By Dave Montalbano

 

With a title like **Mars needs Moms,** one can figure out the plot points and then wonder why this film was not released on Mother's Day.  It is full mix of the frantic action mixed with corny homespun values about respecting motherhood, nothing more than a Saturday Matinee diversion for families that should please children and parents. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

This performance capture motion picture opens with the Martians observing domestic life of humans on earth.  The Martians observe bratty children with ineffectual adults.  However they run  across a mother  (Joan Cusack the most recognizable voice)  discipline her teenaged son,  Milo  (Seth Green, a surprising voice).  Milo says something mean to his mother and makes her cry.  Moments later, the Martians abduct Mother and take her to Mars.

Milo gives chase and accidentally goes to Mars with his Mommy.  Milo spends the rest of the movie trying to rescue his Mom from the Martians.  Along the way,  Milo  meets  Gribble (Dan Fogler) , a 30 year old over grown child who claims to from the Reagan Administration's Secretnaut Program and Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), a Martian artist who confronts the conforming behavior of her Martian Government run by some prune faced elders.

To the screen writers credit, **Mars Needs Moms** balances the struggle between parents and children.  The Martian Administration chose a society with rigid discipline, because that is the way things have been done in the past. 

It is only with the fresh eyes of Milo, that one sees the absurdity of the Martian Culture that lacks emotional connection. Played out on the Martian landscape, one sees the battle between order & chaos that is played in every household in America.

Of note, **Mars needs Moms** opens this weekend at the Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater. For a few dollars more, one can explore the astronomy exhibit that places special emphasis upon Mars.  One can take a 9 minute excursion on the Mars surface and see the largest mountain on the solar system.  Given 3-D visuals on the 6 story screen, this interactive museum exhibit will enhance the learning experience. 

 

(Excerpted from Observer Newspaper)