EPIC
Voiced by Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Christoph Waltz
Directed by Chris Wedge
Given that Epic is graced by gauzy depictions of nature and populated by brave eco warriors, it makes sense that Chris Wedges (Ice Age) animated feature is also a proponent of recycling, as proven by its liberal borrowing from Avatar, FernGully, and The Secret World of Arrietty.
Wedge cant fashion these familiar elements into a fully realized world, leaving his environmentally themed kids flick feeling less like an inspired mélange than a scrap heap.
In the human world, teenaged M.K. (Amanda Seyfried) moves in with her preoccupied biologist dad (Jason Sudeikis) after her mothers death.
Meanwhile, in the woods beyond their home, the hummingbird-mounted Leaf Men led by Ronin (Colin Farrell) and Nod (Josh Hutcherson) defend the ecosystem against the destructive machinations of Mandrake (Christoph Waltz) and his Boggan hordes.
Shoddy writing leaves M.K. languishing on the sidelines for an uneventful opening act, rather than thrusting her into the Leaf Mens fantastical world.
Furthermore, parents will be hard-pressed to discover any great morals amidst the tepid melees and clunky comic relief.
Some commendable production design and the odd moment of wonder dont come close to cashing the cheque that Epics immodest title has written. Instead, Wedges film pays a heavy price for its lack of imagination.
