New on DVD: The Family Friendly "Epic"

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.

Movie Recommendation: "Seven Psychopaths" - Starring Sam Rockwell, Colin Farrell and Christopher Walken

Writer/director Martin McDonagh has mastered the art of dark comedy and creating memorable, albeit damaged, characters. His 2008 film, In Bruges, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, is one of my all-time favorites and features two hit men who take a vacation after a botched job. The film works so well because the writing is sharp, honest, unexpected and often hilarious. McDonagh's latest film, Seven Psychopaths, is very similar in quality and also boasts a stellar cast, including Colin Farrell, who re-teams with the writer/director.

Seven Psychopaths centers around three friends; Billy (Sam Rockwell), Marty (Colin Farrell) and Hans (Christopher Walken), as well as a gangster, Charlie Costello (Woody Harrelson). Marty is an aspiring writer whose new novel is titled Seven Psychopaths. He utilizes people who are in his life to construct characters and scenes for Billy, a would-be actor and part dog dognapper, who listens intently and with all seriousness to Marty's often absurd ideas (kudos to Farrell and Rockwell for playing it straight). However, Marty does not realize that he is giving the emotionally unstable Billy some very gruesome ideas. When Marty experiences writer's block, Billy suggests that he place an ad looking for psychopaths who want to share their stories. Enter a serial killer (Tom Waits) with a rabbit in tow, who confides about his career murdering other serial killers. No, I am not making this up. The absurdity is simply brilliant.

Billy is not alone in his instability. His friend, Hans, who assists him in kidnapping dogs and then returning them to their owners for reward money, is equally unbalanced, but he manages to hide that fact from most people because of his religious beliefs and usually unflappable demeanor. However, Hans can be a formidable enemy and also a dangerous one. Billy and Hans unknowingly provoke Charlie Costello, who just happens to be a gangster and a serious dog lover. When his pooch is pilfered, Charlie is beside himself, which is both silly and surreal. Consider a ruthless tough guy who would go to pieces when his Shiz Tzu, Bonny, goes missing. Unfortunately for Hans, Charlie will do anything to exact revenge, including murder.

After Hans discovers a gruesome scene that hits close to home, he confronts Charlie, and sends a calm and not so subtle message. However, Charlie is not aware of who Hans really is and continues on his quest to find the dognappers. As a result, Marty, Billy and Hans head for the desert, where they hope to wait out Charlie and his paid assassins. However, the men soon learn that trust is sometimes a one-way street, as Marty has a crisis of conscience, Billy goes off the rails even more than usual and Hans has an epiphany, which leads to life changing events for all of them.

The performances from Rockwell, Walken and Farrell are outstanding. In fact, this may be Rockwell's best work to date. Walken is always a joy to watch onscreen and he portrays creepy characters like no one else can. Farrell plays a familiar, but very likable role as the good guy with a conscience that will not quit. His conflicting emotions are perfectly conveyed with the expert use of his furrowed brows, which sometimes say more than any dialogue possible could. The equally unbalanced supporting cast, including Harrelson, Waits and Harry Dean Stanton, are perfectly cast (and kudos to McDonagh for having Michael Pitt play a small role at the beginning of the film). Viewers may wonder if the events that are occurring onscreen are actually happening or if they are part of Marty's book, or perhaps Billy's psyche. I think that may be the point. In this bizarre world created by Martin McDonagh, it is up to the viewer to decide what, if anything, is real, and who, if anyone, is sane. The answers may not be straightforward, but you will have a hell of a good time trying to figure them out.