The Mother Ship

What makes us human? Those useful thumbs? The ability to tell jokes? A love of cheese (even the ones that don't smell very good)? Our species' unhealthy fascination with Charlie Sheen?

If you ask the billions of women on the planet, they'd probably say that while a good camembert is important, our ability to care for and our deep love we have for our offspring marks a very clear definition between us and our hairy, feathery and scaly counterparts.

Yes, I've openly wept while watching the mama elephant help her little baby over the fallen tree in that Pampers commercial. And how can you not be fascinated by the heroic parenting in March of the Penguins?

But here's what sets up apart: Not too long ago I was complaining of having the sniffles. My mom called me the next day at work, to make sure I wasn't coming down with something. Let's just say I'm well past the age when she'd have to rush me to Urgent Care for a high fever or bring me a Popsicle to ease my sore throat.

Even if your child's away at college or old enough to be a grandmother herself, a mom never stops parenting, which, at least in my experience with the animal kingdom, sets us apart from the armadillos and sperm whales.

But a mom's talent for getting her children to pick up their clothes and empty the dishwasher is what impresses beings from other planets – at least if you are to believe the premise in Mars Needs Moms, the new Disney flick that hits theaters today.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this one. Produced by Robert Zemeckis in that hyper-real, motion capture style of The Polar Express, this movie sends an arrow right to the heart of our species and possibly those watching from other galaxies: Good moms make for a happy planet.

Based on the book by Berkeley Breathed, the plot is beyond the scope of reality on many levels. But viewers seemed to walk away with a new appreciation for Mom, knowing most of our mommies would gladly hand off the oxygen helmet to save her child. Heck, that's why the airlines have to tell us to put our mask on first – without that reminder, we simply wouldn't do it.

So moms, check this movie out. I was surprised by its tug at my maternal heartstrings. It's a pretty intense sci-fi flick for little ones - fairly short on comedy and heavy on the action and suspense. And you might not necessarily buy all its premises.

But after the credits roll, chances are you'll want to phone home.

Check out the trailer here.

Comments

[Sandy and Cora Short]

I really enjoyed the film!