“Earth to Echo” is a sci-fi/adventure that follows four kids as they attempt to help an alien retrieve the necessary parts he needs to fix himself and return to his ship before the government finds him/them. As the story unfolds we learn how the boys became best friends and all of them bond with a tiny alien they name Echo.
The film is supposed to be comprised of footage taken by the boys on their phones, cameras and glasses that contain a hidden camera. This movement results in a jittery, first-person view of their movements that may appeal to children but could make some adults a little seasick. There are plenty of chase scenes intermixed with the main plot and some of the special effects are very well done; Echo has the ability to take apart and put back together many objects that float in mid-air. The overall message of this film is that friendships can withstand the boys’ impending separation since they are all moving away to different towns. As it says in the movie, “distance is a state of mind”. We award “Earth to Echo” the Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for ages 12 and over due to the implication that there is underage drinking at a party (not by our main characters) and children lying to their parents about their plans for the night.
