Capsule reviews of the this week’s video releases, on DVD and Blu-ray, including special features:
• “Home” (PG, 94 minutes, Dreamworks Animated): Evoking “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie” and “E.T.,” this kiddie sci-fi adaptation is about the yearning for the comforts of family. Based on Adam Rex’s best-selling children’s book, “The True Meaning of Smekday,” “Home” also is a road-trip buddy comedy about a girl looking for her mother and a lonely alien looking for a friend. When the Boov, a color-changing alien species that’s perpetually on the run from the evil Gorg, invade Earth, leader Capt. Smek (voiced by Steve Martin) renames Earth “Smekland,” relocating all humans to amusement-park compounds in Australia. The 12-year-old heroine, Gratuity “Tip” Tucci (singer Rihanna), is accidentally left behind as her mother (Jennifer Lopez) is whisked away. Alone with her feisty pet cat, Tip sets out in the family car in hopes of finding her mom. Tip teams with Oh (Jim Parsons), a misfit Boov who is a wanted criminal after sending a party invitation to every creature in the universe. That includes the Gorg, who could arrive and destroy the planet. Rihanna holds the film’s biggest appeal, not only contributing her cultural background and voice acting to the project, but also her music. Several of the songs on the soundtrack are Rihanna’s, with Lopez belting out a ballad, as well.
A brilliant mechanic who can’t read social cues, Oh is an alien version of Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory.” The odd-couple chemistry between Tip and Oh will win over younger audiences, just like Lilo and Stitch’s did a decade ago. Contains mild action and some rude humor.
Also on DVD
“Comet” (with Justin Long and Emmy Rossum), “Mr. Right” (with Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell), “Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXXIII,” “Justice League: Gods and Monsters” (animated), “The Milky Way” (documentary on breastfeeding), “Descendants” (Disney), “Homefront” (documentary on military families’ sacrifices), “Our Daily Poison” (documentary on the impact of chemicals in food, air and water), “Four Blood Moons” (docudrama connects celestial events to biblical prophecy), “Life on the Reef” and “Ghost Town” (1988, horror).
