BATTLE FOR TERRA
US, 2007, 85 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Evan Rachel Heard, Justin Long, Chad Allen, Rosanna Arquette, Brian Cox, David Cross, Beverley D' Angelo, Chris Evans, James Garner, Danny Glover, Mark Hamill, David Krumholtz, Laraine Newman, Amanda Peet, Ron Perlman, Dennis Quaid, Danny Trejo, Luke Wilson.
Directed by . Aristomenis Tsirbas
Another animated film about another world and an invasion. This time it is the planet Terra and the invaders are Earth people who have a colonising and colonial attitude towards this planet as a refuge because Earth is collapsing. They have little or no regard for the residents of Terra and are prepared to conquer, even destroy them.
In fact, that sounds more than a little familiar with the release of Avatar where the human exploiters are doing something similar. to the inhabitants of the moon Pandora (which, as many have noted, is the story of the British and Pocahontas). Another similar film is Planet 51 which offers the same message but more entertainingly – the aliens are living a lifestyle familiar from the US in the 1950s and, while they are initially afraid of the humans, one of them becomes their rescuer and hero. In Terra, we don't see much of the life of the aliens (who are designed something like tadpoles) in their strange, thin city, except those who fly around happily, along with blue whales in the sky. The humans are aggressors except for one who is hidden, just as in Planet 51, and then helps the aliens against the humans.
Made in 3D, there are some good effects in visualising space and the universe. There is also a huge familiar cast list of voices.
However, it is not particularly gripping and much of it plays like the equivalent of a space action video game.
1.The impact of the film? For children? For adults? Action? Message?
2.The style of animation? The planet, Terra, the habitation, the buildings, the towers, long and thin? The animation of the creatures, the tadpole look? The contrast with the humans as humans? Strong-jawed and American types? The impact of the animation? The images of space? The effect of the 3D? The rousing score?
3.The presentation of the inhabitants of Terra, their studying, their heritage, the young people and their air vehicles, the blue whales in the air? Enjoyment? Competitiveness, friendship? The danger of the wind tunnel? The rescue? The peaceful times, the families?
4.The attack by Earth? The background of Earth and its sterility, the Earthlings needing another planet? Their ruthlessness and colonial attitudes? Wanting to change the atmosphere? Not caring about the inhabitants and the different breathing gases, oxygen? The invasion?
5.The visualising of the battles? The planes, the response of the Terrans? The video game style of the battles?
6.The pilot being downed? Rescued by Mara? Cared for? His coming to health, his indebtedness to the Terrans?
7.The general, his ruthlessness? Orders? The men and obeying orders? His death, the changing of the situation?
8.The Terrans, the technicians, the scientists, the interrogators?
9.Jim and his recovery, his confrontation with the general, his support of the Terrans?
10.The happy ending, the Terrans resuming their ordinary life? The humans retreating?
11.The message about space exploration, aliens, creating empires, survival and destruction, the futility of war?
