“Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway?  Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.”

Berkeley Breathed, a Pulitzer-Prize winner for his comic strip “Bloom County,” is the author and illustrator of the book “Mars Needs Moms.”  The story was inspired by a particular moment of disagreement that took place between his son Milo and his wife.  Producer Robert Zemeckis, who wrote, directed and produced “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” is a pioneer in performance-capture filmmaking.  The process digitally captures the performances of the actors with computerized cameras in a full 360 degrees, allowing actors like Jim Carrey and Tom Hanks to play several roles of varying ages in one film, and for 36-year-old Seth Green to portray a 9-year-old.   Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases nine-year-old Milo’s  (Seth Green) quest to save his mom (Joan Cusack) from Martians—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling).

At first, I was worried about seeing Mars Needs Moms.  I thought that it was going to be just a movie for kids and I wanted to be able to see a movie that adults would enjoy as well.  Mars Needs Moms is a movie that is great for kids but also for their parents.

There were many things that I liked about this film.  The animation was awesome.  The people almost look like they could be a real, life person.  Not just cartoons.  The voice actors did an amazing jobs as well.  I could not believe that Seth Green was the performance behind 9-year-old Milo.  He made his performance of a 9-year-old believable. 

The message of the movie was very touching.  The importance of family and love is greatly emphasized in this film.  The aliens/creatures of Mars do not understand or have this love.  Through Milo’s actions, they learn how powerful love and family can be.

I loved the final credits on this film.  During the credits, they show you the behind the scenes of how they did the motion capture for this film.  I was so entertained watching how they did it.  You could tell that the filmmakers and the cast were having a fun time.

The only warning that I have about this film is taking your little, little kids.  Watching a mom getting kidnapped and being taken away from their mom can be traumatic.  I would recommend talking to your kids before the film and let them know that aliens will not take away their parents!  It is imaginary!

If you are looking for a movie that the whole family can enjoy, Mars Needs Moms is the movie for you!

For more information and fun, you can check out the Mars Needs Moms Website or ‘Like’ Mars Needs Moms on Facebook.

Mars Needs Moms gets bragging rights!

Mars Needs Moms opens today in Disney Digital 3D , Real D 3D, and IMAX 3D.  It is rated PG for sci-fi action and peril.

 

 

**I attended a screening of Mars Needs Moms for this review.