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Parents' Guide to

Battle for Terra

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Animated space adventure tackles war, complex themes.

Movie PG 2009 85 minutes
Battle for Terra Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 9+

Better then expected

My ten-year-old really wanted to watch this. I wasn't interested in another animated sci-fi war movie. However, it had more depth than I expected and was a decent film to watch at home.
age 9+
I thought it was a good movie about the importance of peace and working together. Wish I had seen it in 3D but went to the wrong theater.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (6 ):

BATTLE FOR TERRA isn't your typical animated film. It's not full of double-entendre jokes, wink-wink pop-culture references, or catchy songs. Instead, it's a dramatic "message movie" aimed at older children (and adults) who could use a lesson in what could happen if the Earth becomes unsustainable because of us. That doesn't mean there's not a lot of action to entertain and engage viewers, but the mood is kind of dark -- it's difficult to root for the post-apocalyptic "Earth Force" when they're planning all-out war on Zen-like creatures.

Director Aristomenis Tsirbas shows a real knack for action-packed animation, and the 3D effects are enjoyable without being overwhelming. The story could have used a lighter touch to be more appropriate for slightly younger audiences -- who might be scared or confused by the heavy artillery of the second and third acts. But if Battle manages to draw in tweens rather than more oblivious lower-elementary kids, the eco-conscious story could take hold.

Movie Details

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