Well, you (and even the kids in the audience) probably already know the answer.
While there are glimmers of creativity in this otherwise predictable production, thanks to Kristin Chenoweth’s standout turn as the aptly named Kilowatt, a cute-as-a-button alien with an oversized head that lights up and screams operatically every time she feels afraid, Space Chimps offers the same tired you-can-do-anything-if-you-give-it-your-best-effort self-esteem message that’s been served up so many times before—and more convincingly—in recent flicks like Kung Fu Panda and Surf’s Up and several of the classic Disney films.
With such rudimentary animation and cloyingly flat storytelling to boot, not to mention a sheer lack of grab-your-attention action sequences, no one over the age of 8 is going to be entertained for long when there’s far more sophisticated options available. That said, maybe flicks like Space Chimps will continue becoming more of the exception rather than the rule, which makes the movie-going experience far more rewarding for the whole family. Fingers crossed anyway.
CAUTIONS:
Christa Banister is a full-time freelancer writer, specializing in music, movies and books-related reviews and interviews and is the author of two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers. Based in St. Paul, Minn., she also weighs in on various aspects of pop culture on her personal blog.
For more information, including her upcoming book signings and sample chapters of her novels, check out her Website.
