Movie: Epic
Director: Chris Wedge
Cast/Voices: Jason Sudeikis, Steven Tyler, Amanda Seyfried, Pitbull, Beyonce Knowles, Colin Farrell, Aziz Ansari and Christoph Waltz
Rating: ***1/2
“Epic” is so good that it does hundred percent justice to the title. I have been a big fan of animation films for a long time now and I watch them mainly for two reasons – entertainment and some learning. “Epic”, from the creators of “Ice Age” and “Rio”, provides entertainment and learning in appropriate amount such that you are not bored for a single minute. What holds this film together is its ability to transport us to a wonderful imaginative world filled with adorable characters you can fall in love with.
In yet another battle of good versus evil, Leafmen are at war with The Boggans in an attempt to save their forest. Trying to protect a pod that will breathe life into the future of the forest, Queen Tara who represents the Leafmen, is killed in an ambush. Coinciding with the death of Tara enters Mary Katherine, a young girl, who is handed over the responsibility of the pod which holds hold the key to the future of the Leafmen.
It doesn’t take long for one to figure out that the film harps on the need to protect nature for greater good. While there might be good and evil characters in the film, these can be easily compared to the ones in real lives living amidst us. By taking us into a beautiful world never seen before, the film brings forth the hidden beauty of nature that’s filled with vegetation, tiny creatures and life worth protecting and even fighting if necessary.
The animation is top-class and probably best in recent times. What I really liked about the film is that it doesn’t try to create fairy tale characters, but makes the best use of characters usually found in a forest. Characters such as the snail, grasshopper and little hummingbirds among many more are created to perfection. You will instantly fall in love with these characters, especially with the slug voiced by Aziz Ansari. There is a wonderful father-daughter relationship that holds the film together.
3D enhances the viewing experience to greater heights. It was like watching a world that’s almost invisible through a three dimensional lens and suddenly realizing that there’s so much more than ever expected. There is plenty of humor that keeps everybody entertained. Watch out for the slug; he has some of the best lines in the film and so do few other characters. This mix of entertainment with some important message about the need to conserve forest is a great takeaway for kids and adults alike.
If you’re looking a perfect getaway this summer, then here is your chance to do it. It’s not the best animation film, but it certainly isn’t bad either. If you’re game for some adventure in a world you may have never imagined, go watch “Epic”.
