Home (for real this time.)

A year after Dreamworks set-up the story for its latest feature, Home, it's finally arrived. Not even getting its Thanksgiving 2014 spot stolen by those Penguins of Madagascar could dull its impact. Your mileage may vary if its impact is positive or not.

The film opens up with the Earth invaded by the Boov, a race of cowardly idiots. They suck up all of humanity and relocate them to Australia. Meanwhile, the Boov mooch off of Earth's abandoned cities. They picked our planet to escape from the destructive Gorg.

One Boov is Oh (Jim Parsons), named such "by [his] many, many friends." But Oh is such is a screw-up that the other Boov dislike him immensely. Nevertheless, Oh decides to invite everyone to his house-warming party. But Oh overdoes it and invites everyone in the whole galaxy; Gorg included.

Now a wanted Boov, Oh makes a run to Antarctica, the closest Boov-less spot on Earth. Along the way, he meets the last un-relocated human on Earth, Gratuity "Tip" Tucci (Rihanna) and her cat, Pig. She wants to get to Paris, the Boov headquarters, so she can find where they relocated her mother, Lucy (Jennifer Lopez). Oh, an alien whose culture prides itself in cowardice, tags along.

Meanwhile, Captain Smek (Steve Martin) of the Boov has to find a way to keep the Gorg from knowing where his race is. Or else boom.

Adam Rex's novel The True Meaning of Smekday was the basis for the film. As visualized by director Tim Johnson and staff, the film is a colorful 3D adventure. The Boov are cuddly creatures ready for merchandising. Their technology is unique and inventive. The scenery is just great. Nothing to complain about in the visual department.

Now for the film's characters. Oh is an idiot whose depth of cowardice is often grating. But he gets better near the end once he discovers the Gorg's secret. Tip, his opposite, is strong-willed and resourceful. Pig is a fun, silent comic relief. Their resolution was the best part of their trip.

Home isn't the best film of the year, but it's pretty fine for what it is. It should keep the animated niche filled for now. The next big animated film out is Inside Out, one of two this year from Pixar. Stay tuned for that.