(SPOILER WARNING!!! This article does contain spoilers, if you haven’t seen the movie, just see the first paragraph to be informed without spoilers!!!)

Earth to Echo can be looked at as a E.T. wannabe, but even though the story is childish with a lot of loopholes, it was interesting with some cool sci-fi special effects. Rating: 3 out 5 Stars.

I remember when I was a kid when E.T. came out and how engaged I was to that movie about an alien trying to get home, but the government is trying to capture him. How scary it was for me when E.T. Was captured and how sick he looked. Also that cool shot of the kid on the bike flying across the moon was so iconic for me and probably one of the first movie scene in my memory. That movie was also very touching as it does deal with relationships as well. No movie has come close to that Steven Spielberg classic. I believe that the film Earth to Echo may be paying homage to that movie. The story was similar in that regard, but made it its own way with the technology of today. It was definitely interesting for me to watch and reminisce about the classic movie E.T. I will start with what I like, to what I didn’t like.

What I liked, the story was engaging to me. Yes it took a few pages off the E.T. script, but I was interested to see where this story is going. I liked the fact that the kids in this movie were using the technology of now, mostly their IPhones, in helping this cute alien named Echo find the parts he need to find his spaceship to go home. The three kids in this movie definitely have chemistry together in this movie. The movie develops their character well as these three guys were kind of like outcasts or no namers at school which makes their friendship bond stronger. Each kid was differently quirky, Tuck, played by Brian Bradley just wanted to be noticed and that’s why he is always filming and uploading things on youtube, and hates being ignored. Munch, played by Reese Hartwig, is the kid that plays by the rules and is very orderly and plays it safe. Then you had Alex, played by Teo Halm, a foster child who all he wants was consistency in his life. There was also the girl Emma, played by Ella Wahlestedt, who really didn’t have any chemistry with the guys, she was just a bossy person who gets what she wants. What really impressed me about this movie is the sci-fi action. With Echo’s key ship trying to get the parts he needs, to the spaceship itself was pretty awesome. The most awesome part for me is when Echo made a semi truck break into pieces to avoid impact with the kids, seeing the stunned driver floating in the air, and reassembling on the other side blocking the government officials. Director, Dave Green, utilizes the found footage filming pretty well, but I really liked the way he uses the stars as a backdrop to make this movie glimmer for your eye pleasure.

What I didn’t like, the story does seem to be childish, or in other words, stupid. Yes this movie is designed for kids, but at least bring a better story effort for the adults that bring the kids to watch. There were so many loopholes that really took the intellectual part out of the movie. For example, the government officials have to be the dumbest officials around. They have all the technology and time to find Echo, but a bunch of pre teens find them first? Also when Munch jumps I to the pick up truck, did nobody really see him get on it, I mean come on. Last loophole, and there are many, when a parent calls and gets a response like what Munch gave them, shouldn’t a concerned parent try to suspect something and maybe go to their house to see if everything is all right? No wonder these kids have quirky issues, cuz their parents don’t give them enough time and care for them. A lot of these loopholes really makes the movie below average when it comes to being a smart sci-fi.

Overall, the movie did remind me a lot of E.T. which brought back great memories. Maybe the movie intentionally wanted to pay homage to E.T. or not, but regardless I saw it as a positive thing that makes me go past the stupid loopholes in this movie. It engaged to me at least, and something I can recommend for the kids as well. Final Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars.