Escape from Planet Earth

If there was a chart to rate the laughter of children, I think it would go something like this.

Snort : the sound a child makes when their mom makes a joke
Chuckle : the sound a child makes when their dad makes the same joke
Giggle : the sound of tickling
Laugh : the sound of Tom & Jerry watching
Guffaw : the sound a child makes when they laugh with their whole body

We laugh at lot, as a family, but even I know to treasure the guffaws, because they are as spontaneous and joyous as fireworks on a summer's night. In our house, they are usually triggered by Dad walking into a wall, or Gilligan's Island, or Kieran beating the big kids with his foam sword.

I also heard it this week when we took the big kids to watch "Escape from Planet Earth."



We had the whole theater to ourselves Tuesday afternoon, so we didn't have to reign in their guffaws. Or their shrieks. Or their belly laughs.

I love it when a movie is hysterical.



The trailer tells the story better than me, but if you don't have time to watch, here's a quick synopsis: Astronaut Scorch Supernova (voiced by Brendan Fraser) is a hero on his home planet, Baab. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls of astonishing feats with the aid of his nerdy-but-brilliant, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control. But when Scorch is sent to answer a mysterious SOS from the Dark Planet (played by Earth), he finds himself trapped by the evil Shanker (William Shatner), a human intent on destroying all alien life. It's up to risk-averse Gary to play action hero now, with the help of his wife (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure-hungry son, Kip.

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the film, sure to please kids of any age. But the film also has a heartwarming message of family and sacrifice and love at all costs.

And I'll admit, I loved the character of Kira, a stay-at-home mom who defies expectations.



Will this movie win any awards? Probably not. But it's the perfect family diversion for a mid-winter afternoon.

How'd you like to see it for free?

I'm giving away a Movie Goers Goodie Bag, which includes popcorn, candy and a $25 gift card to buy tickets to "Escape from Planet Earth." To enter, just click the +1 in the Rafflecopter widget below. The contest will close Sunday, February 24, at midnight.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Weinstein Company provided the prize for this contest and compensated me for the review. My opinions are my own.
For more detailed information on "Escape from Planet Earth," I recommend Plugged In.