Also providing food for thought (a buffet-size plate, natch) that probably will go way over the heads of the under-10 set, Battle for Terra explores heady philosophical territory like the moral duty of human beings when confronted with other life forms, the role of technological developments in society and the effects (and collateral damage) that inevitably come with war. It's definitely not your typical lightweight animated fare, but does offer an opportunity for some fascinating post-movie dialogue.

Far from perfect, though, Battle for Terra does have some ideology that conflicts with Christian beliefs. Emphasizing that nature is what provides all we need to live, the Terrans have a "ceremony of life" in which they express their thanks to nature for providing its sustenance. And their religious creed is just as fluffy, indicating that "they are together, forever, in life." Later, some Terrans even mistakenly believe the Ark, the ship the humans arrive on, is a "new God."

Despite that definite clash of theology and underlying spiritual beliefs, Battle for Terra is still an engaging tale that provides an intriguing change of pace for sci-fi fans. And in 3-D, Terra positively sparkles, thanks to eye-popping visuals and imaginative set-ups.
 
CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None.
• Language/Profanity:  One instance of the Lord's name being taken in vain and one exclamation of dam---!
• Sex/Nudity:  None. 
• Violence: There are several battle scenes that include explosions, gunfire and hand-to-hand combat, and a few characters, including a couple of the main ones, die. There are also disturbing scenes where the Terrans begin to suffocate after humans turn on a spider-like machine. At one point, Mala is also taken hostage, and her life is threatened for show (although she's unaware of that at the time).
  
  

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.