With Jim Sabatini

Mars Needs Moms

Rated: PG
Reviewed by: Frank
Release date: March 11, 2011	Released by: Walt Disney Pictures

For kids under six Mars Needs Moms is an exciting visual experience filled with animated characters that are humorous and eventually poignant as mom and son are reunited.

The focus on nine year old Milo (Seth Green) who heads to Mars in search of his Mom (Joan Cusack) who has been kidnapped by desperate Mars creatures who can't figure out how to bring up kids. The mechanical systems used on the Red Planet are missing warmth and comfort that comes from a real caring mom.

A friend on Mars is Gribble (Dan Folger) who keeps the smiles and comic situations moving. He is another human on Mars with technical skills but acts like a confused college professor. Elizabeth Harnois' Ki is the young rebel who speaks English from sitcoms of the 70's. Mindy Sperling is the shriveled supervisor who is not willing to even think about change.

There is not much science fiction; it's skipped over like a flat rock on water. But it all does sparkle and shine and 3D pokes around from time to time to keep the audience engaged in the action. The 3D and special effects are smooth and continue to get better and better with each new animated film, but even as Mom's who are on Mars look good, they have a very slim story to tell.