In the 3D animated fantasy Epic, teenager MK (voiced by Amanda Seyfried) sets off to visit her eccentric father (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) at his home in the woods. Dad comes across as a bit daft when he says he's spent years looking for elaborate kingdoms hidden deep in the forest, but one day MK shrinks down to the size of the forest creatures. She discovers that there really is a magnificent forest world, with an ongoing battle between good and evil, growth and decay. Two armies prepare to wage war against each other in an almost medieval setting.
Epic works because of a dozen small touches and a wide variety of interesting characters. Sharing plot specifics would give too much away, but I can say that great voice work, stunning visuals and a witty script make the movie entertaining for kids and adults alike. The forest world is complex enough to keep you guessing, and the two contrasting societies that live there present compelling lessons about the nature of conflict.
