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Movies / On DVD / Battle for Terra
Battle for Terra

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Battle for Terra (2009)

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Reviews Counted:78

Fresh:37

Rotten:41

Average Rating:5.6/10

Consensus: Despite its earnest aspirations to be a thought-provoking sci-fi alternative, Battle for Terra lacks both a cohesive story and polished visuals, and fails to resonate.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for sequences of sci-fi action violence and some thematic elements.

Runtime: 85 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:May 1, 2009 Wide

Box Office: $1,601,182

Synopsis: When the peaceful inhabitants of the beautiful planet Terra come under attack from the last surviving members of humanity adrift in an aging spaceship, the stage is set for an all-out war between... When the peaceful inhabitants of the beautiful planet Terra come under attack from the last surviving members of humanity adrift in an aging spaceship, the stage is set for an all-out war between the two races for control of the planet. But will an unlikely friendship between a rebellious young Terrian (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood) and an injured human pilot (Luke Wilson) somehow convince their leaders that war is not the answer?

A CG-animated science fiction action adventure, Battle for Terra is directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas (The Freak, Terra) from a screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Jungle Book 2) and Tsirbas. The film is voiced by an all-star cast including Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler, Down in the Valley), Luke Wilson (3:10 to Yuma, Blades of Glory), Brian Cox (Zodiac, The Bourne Supremacy), David Cross (Kung Fu Panda, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Justin Long (He’s Just Not That Into You, Zack and Miri Make a Porno), Amanda Peet (Syriana, A Lot Like Love), Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point, Far From Heaven), Chris Evans (Push, Sunshine), James Garner (The Notebook, Space Cowboys), Danny Glover (Shooter, The Royal Tenenbaums), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Alien: Resurrection) and Danny Trejo (Halloween, Grindhouse). The film is produced by Keith Calder (The Wackness, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane), Ryan Colucci, Dane Allan Smith (TankUp.US, Terra) and Jessica Wu, with original music by Abel Korzeniowski (Metropolis). The film’s editors are J. Kathleen Gibson and Jim May.

Living in perfect harmony in gravity-defying cities above the clouds, the inhabitants of the planet Terra are complete strangers to war. So when Terra is invaded by human beings fleeing a civil war and environmental catastrophe, many of the Terrians at first welcome the invaders as gods. Only the feisty young Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) fights back, luring one of the invading spacecrafts to destruction after her father is abducted, then rescuing its pilot—a human named Jim (Luke Wilson).

In return for saving his life, Jim promises to help Mala find her father, taking her on a perilous journey to the Ark—the humans’ aging mother ship. Along the way, Mala and Jim learn that their people really aren’t so different from one another. But with the Earthforce army poised to invade Terra and render it uninhabitable for Terrians, Mala and Jim must find a way to help the two races coexist—before it’s too late.

Rated PG for sequences of science-fiction action violence and some thematic elements. --© Roadside Attractions [More]

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Justin Long, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Justin Long, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox, Dennis Quaid, Amanda Peet, David Cross, Chris Evans, Danny Glover, James Garner, Rosanna Arquette, Ron Perlman, Danny Trejo, Mark Hamill

Director: Aristomenis Tsirbas

Director: Aristomenis Tsirbas
Screenwriter: Evan Spiliotopoulos
Story: Aristomenis Tsirbas
Producer: Keith Calder, Jessica Wu, Dane Allan Smith, Ryan Colucci
Composer: Abel Korzeniowski
Studio: Lions Gate Films

[See More Credits]

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    Flying Into Battle
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    Floater
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    Station Under Fire
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  • Return Fire
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    Cease Fire
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    The Future Depends on Us
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    The Race
    >
  • Ceremony of Life
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    Captive
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    Prepare for Battle
    >
    Making an Exit
    >
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Release:

Sep 22, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - English, Spanish
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Battle for Terra

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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This 3D computer animation is more otherworldly than most sci-fi films, and its environmentally conscious theme couldn't be more timely.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/16/09
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The green issues -- not to mention an Iraq bombing reference -- are laboured and presented through huge amounts of exposition.

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
10/08/09
Amber Wilkinson
Amber Wilkinson
Eye for Film

As it stands, Battle for Terra is a cinematic seesaw - up one moment, dragged down by derivative facets the next.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
09/26/09
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
PopMatters

That the film has a fair amount on its mind and expresses its concerns in an effectively restrained manner is just gravy on top of a true visual feast.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
09/13/09
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

When the title has the first two syllables of the word 'terrible' in it, there are opportunities to take pot shots. Battle For Terra is a flawed film, but it is not a failure.

Full Review Source: UGO | comment Comment
08/11/09
Jordan Hoffman
Jordan Hoffman
UGO

In making animation that isn't dark enough for older fans and is too message-centric for kids, Team Terra has created a film that will probably satisfy no one.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

an intriguing and frequently exciting experiment in using 3-D computer-generated animation for serious-minded entertainment

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
05/11/09
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Bold and challenging and endlessly exciting.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/07/09
David Cornelius
David Cornelius
eFilmCritic.com

Despite its noble anti-war, enviornmental message, it's cliched and formulaic. Unless the kids are clamoring, wait for the dvd.

Full Review Source: SSG Syndicate | comment Comment
05/05/09
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
SSG Syndicate

A forgettable animated movie that will do better on DVD than in the competitive movie arena

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
05/05/09
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

It's everything you wanted: A great science-fiction yarn, fascinating aliens, terrific battle scenes and moral dilemmas. I'm talking, of course, about 'Battle for Terra,' and not the upcoming 'Star Trek' flick.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment 1 Comment
05/04/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

It did not work as [well] as many of the recent animated movies that we’ve had in the earlier part of this year or last year.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
05/04/09
Ben Mankiewicz
Ben Mankiewicz
At the Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I don’t think younger or older audiences will be interested.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
05/04/09
Ben Lyons
Ben Lyons
At the Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Maybe aliens have an age group that will enjoy this, but humans don't.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
05/03/09
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

It's a pretentious snoozefest.

Full Review Source: Eclipse Magazine | comment Comment
05/03/09
Michelle Alexandria
Michelle Alexandria
Eclipse Magazine

The spaceships - and the film's ideological bent - jump out at you during the new 3-D film Battle for Terra

Full Review Source: PajamasMedia | comment Comment
05/02/09
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
PajamasMedia

Though young kids are as wowed as their parents by three-dimensional effects, neither age group has an attention span long enough to sit through this yawner.

Full Review Source: Tri-City Herald | comment 1 Comment
05/02/09
Gary Wolcott
Gary Wolcott
Tri-City Herald

Although well-meaning, Battle for Terra is too tame to capture the active imagination of adventurous tots as a mediocre-driven meteorite looking to impact young minds with its slow-footed pacing and puffy-minded pathos.

Full Review Source: Associated Content | comment Comment
05/02/09
Frank Ochieng
Frank Ochieng
Associated Content

Science-fiction geeks will be in paradise watching this animated adventure where...

Full Review Source: Entertainment Spectrum | comment Comment
05/01/09
Keith Cohen
Keith Cohen
Entertainment Spectrum

takes the traditional CG film and elevates it to a higher level dealing with ugly issues of our own world using realistic logic in fantastic situations

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment Comment
05/01/09
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures
 
 
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