While some CGI animated features are good for all ages, Escape from Planet Earth is better left for those stuck chaperoning a more junior audience. On an alien planet, popular astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) sets out on a dangerous mission to Earth, AKA the “Dark Planet,” against his nerdy brother Gary’s (Rob Corddry) wishes. The plot unfolds as an intergalactic fight between good guys and bad guys (and the impending doom of various planets), while simultaneously serving as a ground to teach us about overcoming sibling rivalry. Potty humour and gags take the reins, leaving little room for subtler jokes, except for Ricky Gervais’ deadpan role as the faceless voice of all aircraft and operations at the astronaut base, BASA.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2013.
