"Epic," a fairy tale about a tiny universe of creatures who protect the forest, has many virtues.
The animation is lush and imaginative. The 3-D effects are stunning, among the best we've seen. The coming-of-age ideas are framed in eco-friendly ways. And the voice talent — an eclectic mix that includes Amanda Seyfried, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Christoph Waltz, Josh Hutcherson, Chris O'Dowd, Aziz Ansari, Pitbull and Beyoncé — is excellent.
The story is a classic one of good versus evil. The problem is in the telling.
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When the movie should touch the heart, it just misses. When moments should produce gales of laughter, it struggles for a smile. When panic and fear should set the heart racing, it doesn't. And when, in the midst of all the talking and fighting to save the forest, a caterpillar in a satin jacket breaks out in a bluesy song, you may wonder if Steven Tyler, yes that Steven Tyler, has jumped and jived...