Earth To Echo Review

Jon Pardew Movie Review: 6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 53%

Rated: PG
Sexual Content: 1/10
Violence: 3/10
Profanity: 2/10
Drugs/Alcohol: 1/10

3 friends are faced with moving out of the town they grew up in because a freeway will be built right through their neighborhood.  They are dealing with their emotions of leaving each other when their cell phones start doing strange things.  They decide that their phones are showing them a map and decide that their last night together will be following the map on their phone for one last adventure together.  Their phones lead them to Echo who is an alien who is hurt and needs help.  After their discovery, their night quickly turns into a rescue mission to save Echo and help him get back to his spaceship.

This movie will be compared to big name classics like E.T. or Stand By Me.  If you look at it that way Earth to Echo does not stand a chance.  That being said, I enjoyed to movie with my 3-year-old son who absolutely loved it.  It is very shaky due to their style of filming.  The whole thing is filmed by the three boys passing the handheld video-camera back and forth or you are supposed to believe that the boys are filming.  The adventure goes by quickly.  It only happens in one night which limits your time to get to know Echo.  He is cute and likable so when the movie is over you might feel like you needed more time with the little robot alien.

The story is enjoyable.  If it was made to tap into the nostalgia of being a tween, then it did the job.  Most everyone knows what it is like to have to move and say goodbye to your best friends.  If you have to move from your home when you are young like these kids, it can be really difficult.  In helping Echo, they were able to forget about their emotions during their last night together and have an adventure.  Echo taught them that goodbye doesn't have to be forever.    

Written by: Jon Pardew