“EPIC,” Is it a Winner? Vote for your Favorite Animated Film too!
Don't Miss out on this One!
EPIC
This 3D animated film is based upon William Joyce's book, The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs. The original story was not used and a traditional action fantasy story line was developed. The director, Chris Wedge had William Joyce and four other writers work up the script. Wedge explains, "But while Bill wrote a wonderful book, it is a quaint story. We wanted to make a gigantic action-adventure movie." To address online speculations about whether the film is similar to other films, like FernGully: The Last Rainforest or Avatar, Wedge said: "I hate to associate it with other movies. It is adventure on the scale of Star Wars. And it does immerse the audience completely in a world like Avatar. But it has its own personality.”*
The film was a box office hit with $252 million in receipts, about half of what Pixar films generate. Many critics gave it poor reviews, though mixed, while the viewers gave it an “A+” for children and “A” for adults.
If you have viewed “Ice Age” and enjoyed it, you will love this lavish adventure fantasy created by the same production studio. One can see the influences of the above mentioned” Avatar,” “Ferngully,” and “Star Wars.” From the opening scenes we cannot help but think of the beautiful flying scenes in “Avatar” where humans ride upon birds in spectacular landscapes battling for control of the planet. The fight scenes are intense and one feels that the leafmen may very well lose the battle.
The New Look in Animation:
As computer generated animation appears so vividly real in the last decade, it is difficult to separate animation from real-life productions. Avatar is considered to be a live production, however much of it was animation so intense that it was not apparent to viewers. Consider that the main character was an animation when he appeared as the Avatar and one can understand that animation and live actors are now a mix of special effects.
And so it is here and in other recent films like “Brave,” “How to Slay a Dragon,” “Shrek,” “Ice-Age” and others. One could view “Jack the Giant Slayer” and “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”, and flip a coin as to whether this is predominantly live-actor or animated.
In “epic” the decision to make it an animated production was a big one. It could have been done with live actors and would have been beautiful and probably not that much different than the fully animated film.
So—What about “EPIC?”
For this viewer it is a dazzling fast-paced thrill-ride that must be viewed many times over in order to take it all in. Subsequent viewings reveal the subtle humor, the brilliant scripting, and vivid characterizations that are missed the first time around. Like the “Ice- Age” films, there are cute characters in every scene that keep the laughs going a mile a minute. The slug and the snail steal the show here. On the other hand there is an conniving frog and his cohorts that are reminiscent of the giant slug in Star Wars.
I agree with Wedge when he says, “...it has its own personality.” Yes, nothing is borrowed here. We are taken into a magical world like no other and then we can learn something from the experience. Like “How to Train a Dragon” I was surprised to learn that I was taken on a journey in which I felt I had leaned from it and was a better person for the experience.
EPIC is a Wonderful Fantasy Family Film
Time to Vote:
Let's think about the animated films we have all seen during our lifetime. Which one rises to the top? The last decade has been a thrill ride for animated films. The lavish settings and characterizations make the early Disney films look pale in comparison. I viewed 'The Princess and the Frog” which was done in the older Disney style and I had to force myself to view it to the final scenes as the animation seemed weak when comparing it to the newer computer generated films.
I would not want to influence anyone in selecting a best ever, however I will explain why I picked “How to Train Your Dragon” by DreamWorks as my all-time favorite. I loved the lavish Viking settings, the great script, and the outstanding animation. The developing friendship between Hiccup and the dragon captured my heart and the big battle scene all worked for me. The epilogue (no spoiler here) was wonderful and it was then that I realized that I was better for the experience. Others, like “epic,”“Despicable Me.” and “Wreck it Ralph” all rise to the top as contenders for the same reasons. “Brave” competes for a top spot for the memorable authentic Irish voices and beautiful settings.
Here is a list to help you decide, however vote for anything that comes to your mind by making a comment:
Arthur Christmas
Beauty and the Beast
Brave
Despicable Me
Disney films from the past
epic
Escape from Planet Earth
Finding Nemo
Gulliver's Travels
How to Train Your Dragon
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Puss in Boots
Rise of the Guardians
Rio
Shrek ( series of four films)
Tangled
Tintin
UP
Wall-E
Wreck it Ralph
Frozen
* Source: Wikipedia
EPIC is a Fantasy World of its Own
What rating would you give "epic"
Help RJ Decide which is Best?
Is" EPIC" or "How to Train Your Dragon" the Better film?
RJ's pick for a Favorite Animated Film
Colorful Characters will amaze and keep you laughing too.
EPIC Takes You to a World like no Other
Comments
Hello Reynold Jay! The whole time I was reading this I was thinking William Joyce that sounds familiar, I must have read something else he has written. Then it dawned- Lord Haw-Haw and no relation to this William Joyce, I'm sure.
I haven't seen Epic and most of the movies on the list. I did see Wall-E, How to Train Your Dragon and Up. All three were wonderful, but if I had to pick one I'd give it to Up. It made me weep profusely in the movie theater amusing my husband and mortifying my son, about 9 then. I love movies, animated or not, that can make me feel so deeply. Fun hub! I will definitely check out Epic and let you know what I think!
I have not seen "Epic" yet but have seen "How to Train Your Dragon" and enjoyed it. "Despicable Me" is a wonderful tale, and I also enjoyed "Up". However the most recent animate movies I have seen were "The Adventures of Tin Tin" and "The Croods". I loved both, but on a fun point of view I would vote for "The Croods" as my favourite.
I`m voting on "Epic." I`m interested in these types of movies. I find them very interesting and motivational. I enjoy listening at epic music.
I haven't seen Brave yet, but I am looking forward to it. I am also a big fan of Celtic Music. When I said my family roots go back to Scotland and Germany, I meant it. On my fathers side His father was born in Germany, while his mother was born in Scotland. On my mother's side her maternal grand parents were both from Germany, and her fraternal grandparents were from Scotland, so I am an interesting mixture Germanic and Gaelic Celts.
Thank you for your offer about my book, I will take you up on that, I have a pretty good collection of people who keep my feet on the ground as I write, but there is always room for one more. If I can be of service to you, please let me know.
I have a copy of the first Jonas Watcher available on Noise Trade if you are interested.
Gene Poschman
I haven't seen all of the films on your list, but I have liked all the ones I have seen. I voted for How to Train Your Dragon, but I haven't seen EPIC, so ...
How to Train Your Dragon has some meaning for me, my family background is entirely Celtic made up of German and Scots, and I have always been a sucker for dragons. I look forward to seeing Epic.
Gene Poschman
humm !
well, for me i prefer - "How to Train Your Dragon" It is an amazing 3D video.
The animation of today is great and there are many to choose from but I was a 70's child and when I saw a cartoon it was a big event for the evening. My all time favorite is and always will be "Charlotte's Web". I loved Wilbur and how Charlotte saved him but I teared up when Charlotte was gone. They say there is no greater gift, then to lay down your life, for another.
I don't get to see so many animated films since my children grew up, but some of my recent favourites are "Wall-E" and "Up", both by Pixar I think. I liked them because they are both great stories with a good message, and have endearing characters.
I am also becoming increasingly fond of the Japanese anime films by Studio Ghibli, which are traditional hand drawn animation, and are so beautifully done.
From your list, I haven't seen too many, but Shrek is a definite winner there. Thanks for an interesting discussion. :)
Haven't seen Epic yet, but I agree with Reynold Jay. How to Train Your Dragon is an amazing 3D experience.
Don't know any of these movies, but I think it's great to have people think about why they like what they like. Helps develop discernment and appreciation. Good job!
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