Battle For Terra (2007)

The Battle For Terra is a CGI animated film that tackles a topic one wouldn't expect from a film most would expect to be aimed at kids in fact the subject matter is pretty adult (and not due to violence or sex). Terra is a peaceful planet whose inhabitants are one with nature and revel in art and music. The Elders keep a tight rein on what types of science and thought is explored due to a history they keep secret. Then the invaders arrive. A huge ship "The Ark" arrives in orbit over Terra and sends down fighters that abduct some of the Terrans. Mala (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood) sees her father abducted and in her attempts to get him back befriends Lt. James Stanton (Luke Wilson) and discovers that the invaders come from the planet Earth which generations ago was destroyed due to war. They have been seeking a world that can support life and Terra is the first one that fits the bill. Unfortunately the Terrans don't breathe oxygen so terraforming will be required which of course won't be to healthy for the natives. The Earth Council is in debate as what to do but General Hammersmith (Brian Cox) is sick of watching his people dying because of their failing ship (they have mere months left of oxygen and parts of the Ark constantly fail) and he wants to wipe out the weak Terrans and give his people a home.

The voice acting across the board is excellent including aforementioned Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox and James Garner, David Cross, Justin Long, Chris Evans, Danny Glover, Mark Hamill, and Dennis Quaid.

The moral dilemmas and complexities of the characters are dealt with intelligently and poignantly. I could see this as a good movie to show younger kids in school as a way to start some thought provoking debates.

This is a movie well worth checking out.