Home [DVD] Review: A DreamWorks Animated Adventure for the Whole Family

Animated family films often promise big laughs and big heart, but only some manage to balance both. Home, released on DVD by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, comes from the creators of How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek, and it assembles a notable voice cast that includes Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, and Jennifer Lopez. The film follows Oh, described as a lovable misfit from another planet, who lands on Earth and meets a teenage girl named Tip. The two unlikely friends then set out on what the film calls the greatest journey of all time: the journey home. This DVD edition presents that story along with a collection of bonus features, and it is worth understanding what the disc actually contains before deciding whether it belongs in your collection.

Design and Presentation of the DVD Edition

This is a single-disc DVD release in the NTSC media format, and it carries a PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) rating from the MPAA. The film is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and the disc includes subtitles in French and Spanish. The total run time is 1 hour and 34 minutes, which places it in a typical feature-length range for animated family viewing.

Physically, the package is listed with product dimensions of approximately 0.7 by 7.5 by 5.4 inches, consistent with a standard DVD case footprint. The item model number is D46196984D, and the release date is listed as June 5, 2018. Tim Johnson is credited as director, with Christopher Jenkins, Mireille Soria, and Suzanne Buirgy listed as producers. For anyone organizing a shelf of family films, this is a conventional single-case release rather than a multi-disc set, so it takes up minimal space.

Features and Bonus Content

Beyond the feature presentation, this DVD includes a set of extras that lean toward the playful and musical side of the film. The listed bonus content includes:

Best Party Ever!
Oh’s Shake Your Boov Thing
“Feel the Light” by Jennifer Lopez
Oh’s Boovy Jukebox
Oh’s Party Planning Tips
Gallery

The inclusion of a Jennifer Lopez music feature ties directly to her role in the voice cast and to the film’s soundtrack presence. The other extras, built around the character Oh and party-themed activities, suggest supplementary material aimed at younger viewers who connect with the film’s humor and characters. The gallery adds a more traditional behind-the-scenes element for those who enjoy browsing production artwork. It is worth noting that the bonus content is listed as described here; the disc does not appear to include extensive documentary material or commentary based on the supplied information.

Audio, Language, and Subtitles

The DVD offers English audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Spanish audio in Dolby Digital 2.0. The English track’s 5.1 configuration indicates a surround sound mix, which is relevant for households with a home theater setup, while the Spanish track is presented in two-channel stereo. Subtitles are available in French and Spanish, which can be useful for multilingual households or for viewers who prefer to watch with subtitles enabled. The disc is coded as NTSC, the standard for North American DVD players, so buyers should confirm that their playback equipment is compatible with that format before purchasing.

Performance and Everyday Experience

As a DVD, this release is built around standard-definition playback rather than high-definition formats, so the viewing experience will depend on the player and display being used. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio is a widescreen presentation, meaning it is designed to fill a widescreen television more naturally than older full-frame releases. The 94-minute run time makes for a manageable sitting for family movie night, short enough for younger attention spans but substantial enough to feel like a full feature.

The film’s appeal rests on its premise: an alien misfit and a teenage girl forming an unlikely friendship and traveling together toward home. The voice cast is a significant part of that draw, with Parsons voicing Oh, Rihanna voicing Tip, and Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez rounding out the principal names. The studio’s positioning of the film as both hilarious and heartwarming, from the creators of two well-known animated hits, gives a sense of the tone to expect: comedy paired with an emotional friendship story. The PG rating signals that the content is intended for general audiences with parental guidance suggested, which is a useful benchmark for families deciding whether it suits younger children.

Compatibility and Who This DVD Is Best For

Because this is a Region-agnostic listing without explicit region coding information beyond the NTSC format, buyers outside North America should verify compatibility with their players. The English and Spanish audio options, along with French and Spanish subtitles, make the disc practical for bilingual households or language learners who enjoy watching animated films with subtitles.

This DVD is best suited to families looking for a feature-length animated film with a friendship-driven story and a recognizable voice cast. Fans of the actors involved, particularly those who follow Jennifer Lopez’s music, may appreciate the included “Feel the Light” feature. Viewers who enjoy collecting bonus material built around a film’s characters will find the party-themed extras and jukebox content aligned with that interest. Those who primarily want a bare-bones feature presentation may find the extras secondary, but they do not detract from the core film. Collectors building a family or animated film library will find this a straightforward single-disc addition.

Final Verdict

Home on DVD offers a complete package for a family movie night: a 94-minute animated feature with a well-known voice cast, widescreen presentation, English 5.1 and Spanish 2.0 audio, French and Spanish subtitles, and a set of bonus features centered on music and character-themed activities. The film’s premise of an alien and a teenage girl journeying home together, backed by the creators of How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek, gives it a clear identity as a heartwarming comedy. The DVD format and NTSC coding mean buyers should confirm player compatibility, and those seeking high-definition presentation should note that this is a standard DVD release. For households wanting an accessible, PG-rated animated film with extras that extend the experience, this edition is a sensible choice.