Escape from Planet Earth

On the planet Baab, the daring astronaut Scorch Supernova (voiced by Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue-skinned, three-fingered alien population. But he couldn't pull off his derring-do without the support of his smaller, brainy brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), an unacknowledged logistics engineer at BASA Mission Control. Nevertheless, when BASA's chief, Lena (Jessica Alba), receives an SOS from a notoriously dark, dangerous planet known as Earth, the smug, self-confident Scorch is dispatched to save the day. When Scorch is trapped in America's super-secret military base, known as Area 51, by fiendish General Shanker (William Shatner), the geeky, risk-adverse Gary must bravely blast off to save his sibling—determined to prove his mettle to his wife (Sarah Jessica Parker) and son (Jonathan Morgan Heit). The supporting voice cast include Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, and George Lopez, as other Area 51 alien prisoners, as well as Ricky Gervais as the dismissive voice of the mission-control computer. Directed by Callan Brunker, this first animated theatrical release from Rainmaker Entertainment (best known for its bland, direct-to-video Barbie movies) is no more than a generic escapist diversion for youngsters. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Cal Brunker, a “making-of” featurette (22 min.), a “How to Make an Animated Feature” segment with Brunker (4 min.), alternate takes and deleted scenes (4 min.), three music featurettes featuring soundtrack artists Owl City, Delta Rae, and Cody Simpson (11 min. total), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus 3D, DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a formulaic kids' film.] (S. Granger)