This movie, I had not seen or heard of until yesterday. Yes, I hide regularly under large rocks and know nothing of the outside world. OK, not really, but ever since I got a tivo, homey don’t watch commercials = homey don’t see commercials for new movies = homey finds out about movies, like 2 years late.

Anyway, the review…I watched this movie last night with the family and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

This movie did NOT have the glossy feel of a typical Hollywood family movie and the oh so predictable plot lines or third-rate dialogue. No, in this movie, the dad is hammered at work and comes home to a family that has some problems. There is a great conversation the father has with his son after he comes home late from work and the phrases “life sucks”, “son, you don;t suck” are used. Now, whan I was growing up, saying anything sucked was bad, and I don’t remember hearing talk like that on any disney movies lately. Anyway, the dialog seemed realistic, is what I am tryig to say. And that was refreshing.

Without giving away much of anything, let me say that this film was well done. Of course, it took some suspension of disbelief at times (Like an FBI agent who thinks he tracking down a terrorist, all of a sudden saying to the people he is tracking: “If there’s anything I can help you with, anything, please let me know.”..yeah, that’s just a bunch of baloney.

Ok, yes, this movie can be categorized as sci-fi, adventure, family, and a little bit of comedy. The sci-fi part is what is really good about this movie because it makes you think out of the box we call “our universe” which is very refreshing. Even if you think the family part of the movie is too goddy-goody and childish, you should at least pay attention to the end. I am reminded a little of Contact, the Jodie Foster movie which blew me away similarly when I first saw it.

It struck a chord with me. It’s not the greatest movie ever, but it is very cool and the kids can dig it too.

I don’t really use the thumb rating system here, so I’ll just give it a 8 out of 10, how’s that?

Josh™