Rihanna makes her biggest film debut yet in Dreamworks “Home.” The pop singer plays Gratuity “Tip” Tucci, a teenage girl who befriends an alien, “Oh” (voice by Jim Parsons), in hopes to find her mother. Oh and Tip join forces after Oh and his people, the Boovs, invade Earth.
Jim Parsons and Rihanna are a friendly match made in heaven. Whether it’s an imaginary friend or childhood toy, the two remind audiences of the importance of unlikely, unorthodox friendships. As the pair travels the Earth, their togetherness becomes the biggest takeaway of the movie.
While I respect animators for diversifying the look of this movie, Dreamworks failed to properly execute the movie’s promotional needs.
Although Rihanna just wrapped up an extensive press tour for the movie, the animation company has completely left her out of the main film poster.
You can catch Tip, an adorable curly headed Black girl, only on the film posters in urban neighborhoods or on BET. Otherwise, you will only see promotional materials including Oh and Tip’s pet cat:
Rihanna does not deserve the shade.
If the 27-year-old was such a huge liability or risk, then Dreamworks should not have cast her. Instead, after watching the movie, the biggest slap in the face is Rihanna not getting the credit she truly deserves.
And I want people to stop saying “Home, starring Jennifer Lopez.”
Homegirl is in the movie for two- maybe three scenes. Her character, Tip’s mother, Lucy, speaks about 18 words the entire movie. Yes, I recognize Jennifer Lopez is a music mogul, but they let her small presence almost overshadow all of the great work Rihanna committed. It’s not fair!
Lest not forget Disney did the same thing with Princess Tiana in its 2009 Princess and the Frog. They glorified the idea of Disney’s first Black princess, but they failed to mention that for the majority of the movie she was an amphibian.
Why is it so hard for mainstream animation to include African Americans? But, when African Americans are included, the animated movies are masked with bad publicity and foolish storylines.
It’s up to Black film companies like 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks or Tyler Perry Studios to create our own Saturday morning cartoons and big animated pictures that our children can relate to.
3 Stars: ‘Home’ is a cute, domestic movie about loyalty, friendship, and closeness. Rihanna is amazing. Her familiar voice inspire young women around the World.
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