With the funny title and concept, one would assume that this animated feature from Disney is a light-hearted film. In reality it is Disney’s attempt at light-hearted, with dead parents, political preaching and subliminal themes. The story is about Milo, voiced by Seth Green, who sneaks aboard a spaceship to rescue his mother, who has been kidnapped by aliens. Turns out the citizens of Mars need to harvest the motherliness from Earth women because their women make bad parents. Then there’s the whole issue of how the males of their species are shunned into the pit of the planet that is made up entirely of garbage. So, the women rule under the lead of an old hag looking alien called the Supervisor (Mindy Sterling.) So, Milo tries to rescue his mom with the help of the only other human on Mars, Gribble (Dan Fogler.)
I know that is longer than my usually synopses, but I think it’s worth it because the concept is just so weird. The surface theme of appreciating your mother is misguided throughout. Milo’s own selfish wants are the only thing pushing him forward with the mission. Okay, so maybe the gender equality point is what’s most important in the film. I don’t think so. The men all look like stoners and have no desire to do anything except dance and the women only work. Plus, the latter are all rail thin with big asses. They’re cheap stereotypes.
So, Disney turns to their go-to gimmick, a dead parent. I won’t say whose it is, but I couldn’t help rolling my eyes when it happens. If it weren’t for some incredible looking animation and a fairly charming resolution, the film would be a total wash. The overall problem with Mars Needs Moms is that another re-write could have helped the themes along and made the jokes funnier. It’s fairly obvious that the look of the movie was the main focus though, and if that’s the case, then it’s a great success. (4.8 out of 10)
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