Battle for Terra

Name: Battle for Terra
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, War
Released: May 1, 2009
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 54

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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BATTLE FOR TERRA

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: May 1, 2009

Summary: When the peaceful planet of Terra is invaded by humans fleeing a dying Earth, a young girl is the only one who can save both civilizations from complete annihilation. (Roadside Attractions)

Director: Aristomenis Tsirbas

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, War, Animation

Rating: PG

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

100

San Francisco Chronicle - Justin Berton

The plot is an obvious parable for modern dilemmas, yet in the hands of the film's creators, and with their graceful use of 3-D, viewers feel as if they're watching how the future might actually unfold, glimpsing a conflict that's destined to take place 300 years from now. Read full review

The A.V. Club - Scott Tobias

On one level, it's a down-market Star Wars-inspired shoot-'em-up for kiddies; on another, it's a radical alien invasion story where the HUMANS are the aliens. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Kirk Honeycutt

The animation is splendid on what must have been, since this is not a studio film, a modest budget. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Tracie Cooper

The good news is that Battle for Terra's moments of unbalance ultimately right themselves into a surprisingly earnest, engaging film. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Phillips

All in all? A curious preachment yarn for peace, one which makes you wonder if the filmmakers couldn't wait to get to the climactic aerial dogfights. Read full review

The New York Times - Neil Genzlinger

The movie's messages are delivered with a heavy hand, but some of the scenes are eye-popping, especially -- sorry, peace-loving Terrians -- the battle sequences. Read full review

New York Post - Kyle Smith

Aggressively ugly and intergalactically boring, the dismal sci-fi kiddie cartoon Battle for Terra is too weak to be shown anywhere except maybe on the next flight to Saturn. Read full review

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User Reviews

ElvisK

Sep 15, 2009

Excellent movie. This is a pretty good animated movie. The story is interesting and pulls you in. The characters are uniformly interesting, Jim and Mala are very good and well developed.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

graphicsgriffin

Jun 19, 2012

I liked this movie a lot, and loved the main character and the peaceful alien race. In short, it's a very good movie but with lower budget than other movies coming from big producers. Simply said, if this movie had a higher budget it would be one of the best. I think people who only likeI liked this movie a lot, and loved the main character and the peaceful alien race. In short, it's a very good movie but with lower budget than other movies coming from big producers. Simply said, if this movie had a higher budget it would be one of the best. I think people who only like movies with very realistic graphics won't really appreciate it, but those who love a good story, lovable characters, and a simple but yet beautiful art design will love it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent

Jul 11, 2009

I found this to be quite an excellent film. I wasn't expecting much when I first saw the trailer. But even though I only saw it because it was the best movie currently playing when my friends wanted to go, I was in a rapt stare at this film's kiddy, but surprisingly beautiful I found this to be quite an excellent film. I wasn't expecting much when I first saw the trailer. But even though I only saw it because it was the best movie currently playing when my friends wanted to go, I was in a rapt stare at this film's kiddy, but surprisingly beautiful visuals and all the other cool things it did. We found the movie to be very relatable to people of this day and age since I could easily see something like this happening years and years from now. I also loved the idea to make humans the bad guys for once and to look at things from a realistic angle. It's plot line was very engagin and I had a blast with this movie. I won't go down as a masterpiece, but it's still an awesome film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

KipO

May 5, 2009

I actually enjoyed this movie a lot. It was an original story told from a unique perspective. It certainly had a message or an insight they were trying to convey, but most good movies/literature try to do more than entertain. I imagine a good number of reviewers judged the message as much I actually enjoyed this movie a lot. It was an original story told from a unique perspective. It certainly had a message or an insight they were trying to convey, but most good movies/literature try to do more than entertain. I imagine a good number of reviewers judged the message as much as they judged the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Edgar

Mar 22, 2014

This is a great animated film. It has a good story and actually seems to have foreshadowed several films that would be released years later. Fun to watch, much better than the vast majority of animated films that are widely released.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JayH

Sep 9, 2009

Very imaginative and the story is quite good. Very creative. Although the animation is good, it was not overly impressive. i enjoyed it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

FreedomFighters

Nov 18, 2016

You know, I actually had pretty high hopes for this movie...when I saw the poster. One look at the poster and I immediately thought, "this ought to great if it has a poster like that!" Then I saw the film, took one look at the designs of the characters and thought "am I watching the wrongYou know, I actually had pretty high hopes for this movie...when I saw the poster. One look at the poster and I immediately thought, "this ought to great if it has a poster like that!" Then I saw the film, took one look at the designs of the characters and thought "am I watching the wrong movie?" I know some people may like it, but I personally found "Battle for Terra" to be an inferior animated effort. Beyond the ugly character models, the animation just isn't that great, you won't care for any of the characters after watching the film, the voice acting is passable at best, and the story just doesn't resonate. Even at a compact 90 minutes, "Battle for Terra" is only worth watching during "Bad Movie Night." It's clear there was some effort put in here, but unfortunately, it's just not enough.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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