EPIC
Director : Chris Wedge
Year : 2013
Genre : Animation
Rating : ***
'Epic' is the latest offering from Blue Sky studios, creators of the hugely successful 'Ice Age' franchise and 'Rio'. While containing elements of comedy and featuring some moments of action that have become the staple of the company's films, 'Epic' is a much more mature and interesting movie than the studio's previous works. However, despite showcasing an impressive voice cast and gorgeous CGI animation, the movie treads the mire of basic conventions and archetypes that have bogged down recent children's films and as a result, the story doesn't match the brilliant artwork that has gone into the character design, settings and atmosphere. It is quite clear that the passion that went into the cinematography and mise en scene was not matched at the screenplay level; this is a shame because the film had the potential to be something special. Unfortunately, it becomes just another generic piece that can be plotted within 15 minutes of it's start.
'Epic' tells the story of Mary Katherine (M.K.) who returns to her estranged and eccentric father's home in the forest, but his obsession to discover a micro civilization in the woods drives them apart and she indignantly leaves. However while walking through the forest, M.K. soon becomes shrunk down by the magic of the dying Queen, who has been mortally wounded by the evil Boggans and is asked to take a pod bearing the new Queen's soul to safety. With the help of a strict and no-nonsese Leafman warrior, two hilarious molluscs and a young carefree rebel, M.K. agrees to help. However, the vicious boggan leader Mandrake soon catches wind of this and endeavours to capture the pod for himself, enabling him to become the wicked King of the forest.
Bringing a world of intense beauty and awe inspiring visuals to the screen, Wedge manages to create one of the most visually impressive films of the year. Filling our eyes with vibrant shades of green, yellow and red, Wedge captures the wonder and magic of the forest and with the help of an ethereal and effective soundtrack written by the always reliable Danny Elfman, 'Epic' completely engulfs the audience in it's tiny but gorgeous universe. However, as is typical with modern animations, the story fails to match up to the visuals and artistry. Telling the clichéd story of an unknown helping to save a people he/she becomes affiliated with, 'Epic' is yet another childrens movie that delivers a 'tab A into slot B' story without containing any surprises at all.
As is the case with most animations, the voice cast is the true pulling power and 'Epic' can boast a truly impressive celebrity guest list. Amanda Seyfried who wowed me in the extraordinary 'Les Miserables' is cast well as the headstrong MK and Josh Hutcherson has fun as the wise cracking maverick Nod. However, while they may be cast well, their characters are beyond conventional and the necessary romance between the two seems very forced and completely out of place. For the most of the film, the two characters have no chemistry at all and it is only at the end that they finally kiss. This device only seems to exist to open the doors for a sequel and it is a shame that the film resorts to such audience pandering. Colin Farrell plays the leafman warrior and put's in a performance that sounds like he couldn't care less about the material and the less said about Beyoncé Knowles as the Queen of the forest, the better.
Normally in an animated film, the comedy sidekicks would annoy me beyond belief (hello Timon & Pumbaa). However, Chris O' Dowd and Aziz Ansari are brilliant as Mub and Grub, a snail and slug duo who are constantly spouting one liners and to me, they are the best characters in the entire movie. At least, O' Dowd and Ansari actually seem to be putting something into their performances and their energy behind the microphone is efficiently translated into the animation of their characters. While I enjoyed their performances, I am getting really tired of comedy sidekicks in animated films and I just wish that filmmakers would give children credit. Kids can watch films even if they have no comic relief and some of the most loved family films such as 'The Wizard Of Oz', 'Chitty Chitty, Bang, Bang' and 'Snow White & The Seven Dwarves' have little to no comedy moments and are still watched by children of all ages. Why then do lazy writers have to have slapstick characters who try to gain cheap laughs by farting, burping or pulling stupid faces? Not only does it bore children, but it annoys adults.
Despite it's many problems, I wouldn't say to avoid 'Epic' at all costs; it looks beautiful and therefore deserves to be seen on the big screen where the scope and scale of the animation will be fully appreciated. While some of the cast put their all into their parts, others don't and as a result, it makes it difficult to invest anything in many of the characters. However, it does look beautiful and that in itself makes 'Epic' a must see for children and adults alike; just don't go expecting a revolutionary story or exciting characters.
FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN THE
PUNK/ALTERNATIVE MUSIC SCENE, THE UPCOMING BIRMINGHAM BAND 'DRAG' IS IN NEED OF SUPPORT TO
HELP FUND THE RELEASE OF THEIR BRILLIANT DEBUT ALBUM 'NEUROTICA : A COMPENDIUM
OF TALES REGARDING BODY AND SOUL'. GO ON, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO :
No comments:
Post a Comment