The animated film Epic is loosely based on the book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce. The story centers around a young woman, Mary Katherine (Amanda Seyfried), or M.K., who decides to move in with her rather odd father, Professor Bomba (Jason Sudeikis), after her mother passes away. M.K.'s relationship with her father is already strained, but his insistence on the existence of a tiny race of people, known as Leaf-Men, causes further friction between them. However, M.K. will soon learn that the tiny group does indeed exist as she is unexpectedly thrust into their world and is tasked with saving it from the evil Mandrake (Christoph Waltz).
M.K. has the assistance of Nod (Josh Hutcherson), a brash young man and potential love interest (yes, they are compatible, since M.K. is shrunk down to his size), and Ronin (Colin Farrell), the experienced leader of the Leaf-Men who protect the forest that lies just beyond Professor Bomba's house. M.K. also encounters a series of odd characters, including Nim Galuu (Steven Tyler), a glowworm, Bufo (Pitbull), a bullfrog, and the duo of Mub (Aziz Ansari) and Glub (Chris O'Dowd), a slug and a snail, respectively. The group works together, for the most part, to save the forest from being destroyed by Mandrake, the leader of the nefarious Boggans, but they may also need help from M.K.'s father to insure victory.
Epic's computer animation looks lush, vibrant and is radiating with color. In addition, the characters are not necessary original, but are likable, nonetheless. However, the story, which is credited to five different screenwriters, lacks focus and the scenes do not flow easily or, at times, even logically. The film is also populated with too many characters who are each given something substantial to do, but viewers know next to nothing about them. Mub and Grub appear to want to help M.K. and the Leaf-Men, but they are easily distracted, which results in silliness that generates few laughs, even among the youngest audience members. If anything, I think a few of the voice actors are trying too hard, with little success.
I did enjoy watching Professor Bomba's dog, Ozzie, who has one-eye and three legs, and will steal your heart and make you smile every time he is on screen. In addition, Christoph Waltz plays a great villain, even in voice over, and is well cast as the central baddie. The aforementioned outstanding animation managed to hold my attention throughout, despite the problems with the screenplay, direction and editing. Regardless, Epic will certainly appeal to youngsters who will likely be entertained by the colorful characters and the juxtaposition of the two worlds, which are on a collision course that will change the lives of many characters. However, older viewers may struggle with finding something to keep them interested for the duration. In other words, watch with the kids, but have something else to keep you occupied.
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