Battle for Terra

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Battle for Terra

PG

Released May 1, 2009

1h 25m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Animation

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Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

41%

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50,000+ Ratings

When strange objects appear in the sky above the peaceful world of Terra, some of the inhabitants believe the gods have come to visit. Instead, human invaders swoop down and kidnap a number of Terrareans, including Mala's (Evan Rachel Wood) father. Mala saves a downed pilot, Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson), hoping he'll help her find her father. While certain Earthlings plot to take control of Terra, Mala and Stanton realize that the fates of both their peoples hinge on the choices they make.

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Critics 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.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The animation has an almost filigree quality that contrasts favourably with all but the best of its competitors.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2010

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Robbie Collin

News of the World

With its suspiciously similar plot and cheapo production values, a name change to Chav-atar is all but a formality.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 16, 2010

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

This 3D computer animation is more otherworldly than most sci-fi films, and its environmentally conscious theme couldn't be more timely.

Dec 16, 2009

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Though entertaining enough to divert your children’s attention for the duration and keep them quiet in the theater, the ideas within are big enough to inspire discussion and critical thinking in youngsters.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2023

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Battle for Terra's story won't win prizes for originality and nor will its rather lacklustre animation carry off any gongs.

Nov 29, 2020

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The humans display less detail than cheap plastic action figures and the aliens astoundingly disprove the theory that creatures with large eyes are inherently cute.

Rated: 4/10

Nov 28, 2020

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Audience Member

Crap, illogical and dull.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

Battle for Terra definitely tries to set itself apart from other animated movies by going for a more thought-provoking plot where neither side is entirely in the wrong and I can't say I was uninterested but, setting aside the fact that this movie wasn't meant to be animated, it ultimately doesn't live up to its potential thanks to subpar animation, hit-or-miss voice acting in spite of the talent involved and visually uninteresting action sequences. Still has respect from me for trying to go against the grain rather than go for a safe formula...I've been reviewing way too many animated movies over the past three weeks, I need a break.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Battle for Terra is Earth Forces fighter idenction for Star Wars

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

This movie is so bad. All of the humans looked the same — I couldn't tell the difference between the main character, and the rest of the soldiers. The same thing with the "terrians," the inhabitants of planet Terra. Also, it seems like after the huge battle, the movie suddenly changed from fighting over the planet to making peace and giving the humans a small chunk of land. There was really no transition as to where i it changed from war to peace.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

Meh. Maybe younger kids who like space would think its cool but its a no for me.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

One of the movies I think deserves more attention for it's beautiful animation and interesting story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/18

Full Review

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Aristomenis Tsirbas

Director

Evan Rachel Wood

Mala

Brian Cox

General Hemmer

Luke Wilson

Jim Stanton

James Garner

Doron

Chris Evans

Stewart Stanton

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Synopsis

When strange objects appear in the sky above the peaceful world of Terra, some of the inhabitants believe the gods have come to visit. Instead, human invaders swoop down and kidnap a number of Terrareans, including Mala's (Evan Rachel Wood) father. Mala saves a downed pilot, Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson), hoping he'll help her find her father. While certain Earthlings plot to take control of Terra, Mala and Stanton realize that the fates of both their peoples hinge on the choices they make.

Director: Aristomenis Tsirbas
Producer: Keith Calder, Jessica Calder, Dane Allan Smith, Ryan Colucci
Screenwriter: Evan Spiliotopoulos
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Snoot Entertainment
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Sci-Fi Action Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 23, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 25m

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