I took my 7-year old to see Battle for Terra.

.

The reviews made it out to be a thinly veiled environmental preachment. But I didn’t find that to be the case at all. It was more about making a really tough choice about what is right.

.

The strength of the movie, and what held my interest, was the amazing depictions of alien life (creatures) and culture and buildings. Terra really is an alien world with a unique technology.

There were a few points where my “suspension of disbelief” was stretched (example: when the human protagonist wakes up in Mala’s dwelling he stumbles to a window to call for help, but on breathing the toxic alien atmospher just HAPPENS to tumble out the window in a dramatic fall where giant alien thorns HAPPEN to be below). But other than a few items like that the whole thing weaves together in a consistent and pleasant fashion.

.

The other thing I liked is that Stanton has to make a deliciously excruciating decision near the end of the movie. It’s the type of thing that you don’t normally see in a movie geared to kids where there is usually a pre-fab-hate-able villain.

.

My son was on the edge of his seat the whole time, sharing in my wonderment at the bizarre aliens and landscapes.

.

I will buy this movie when it comes out. I would watch it again.

.

I can’t remember any scary parts or any sort of swearing. I would certainly recommend it for kids seven and up. And certainly if your kid likes sci-fi type stuff.