In this Disney Channel/Disney+ movie, the Greens, a family of farmers living in the big city, end up going to space in order to farm space crops for rich scientist Gwendolyn Zapp (voiced by SNL's Cheri Oteri).
The first half or so, admittedly, does feel a little like a stretched out version of the show. Usually, an episode has a traditional someone-learns-a-lesson-after-letting-things-go-a-little-nuts structure which takes up fifteen minutes. Here, we have the same blueprints trying to be applied across a full hour and twenty-two minutes. However, things really pick up in the second half when the conflict kicks into motion. The outer space and sci-fi technology setting really make for a good physical threat for the Greens, plus it is something that elevates this as a movie and something a little different from the show.
The movie includes the show's trademark humor: the sometimes silly and sometimes clever kind that works for adults and kids. (This show doesn't get enough credit for being arguably the best written children's comedy currently on.) There are even a few delightfully dark bits.
This is yet another episode where Green son Cricket (voiced by show co-creator Chris Houghton), ends up causing chaos when he purses something he's told not too. Usually, the formula works because his scampishness doesn't usually cross the line too much. Here however, he goes too far and feels a little too selfish. This is used to make a point in order to create a more emotional storyline than usual, but I don't feel the movie properly condemn him for his behavior.
Houghton does still excel at Cricket's high energy and confidence, and Marieve Herington still excels with her unique salt-of-the-Earth accent as empathetic but odd Green daughter Tilly. We get a newcomer in Hamilton/Girls5eva's Renee Elise Godlsberry, who is clearly having fun with a commanding voice as stickler-for-the-rules space captain Colleen Voyd (one wishes she had more time in this).
If you've been watching the show and have been disappointed that Zapp hasn't been in any recent episodes, you'll be pleased with her presence here. (Though some may be disappointed that the movie doesn't include the show's main baddie Chip Whistler, but I give the creators credit for going with what chaacters fit the story.) Zapp is a nutty lady whose priorities are much different than others. I feel a little bad that Oteri's career after SNL kinda plummeted, because between her delightfully wacky vocal inflections matched with the character's goofiness and unpredictableness, Zapp makes for the most entertaining person in the film.
The movie focuses on the main characters, which is a good call when you're trying to write a tight script and don't want to focus on too many of them. However, that means popular recurring faces don't appear or are given very little to do.
I wouldn't say the songs in this are the greatest ever, but there are some solid ones. I've relistened to them several times.
The animation is like that of the show but a little better. The color seems to be a little brighter and there appears to be a greater frame rate to the characters' movements. The action scenes are pretty fluid for a made-for-television budget.
Recommended. I wouldn't say the movie is as good as some of the show's best episodes, but it definitely is a fun time and your kids will probably like it.
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