Epic (2013 film)

Epic (2013 film) is a computer-animated fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Wedge and produced by Lori Forte and Jerry Davis. The film features the voices of Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Christoph Waltz, Beyoncé Knowles, Pitbull, Jason Schwartzman, Judah Friedlander, Steven Tyler, and Aziz Ansari. The movie is based on the children's book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce, who also co-wrote the screenplay with James V. Hart, Daniel Shere, Tom J. Astle, and Matt Ember. The film's music was composed by Danny Elfman, known for his work on The Simpsons, Batman (1989 film), and Spider-Man (2002 film).

Plot

The film takes place in a forest filled with talking animals and tiny humans known as the Leafmen, who are tasked with protecting the forest and its inhabitants from evil forces. The story follows Mary Katherine, a teenage girl who is transported to the forest and joins forces with the Leafmen, led by Nod and Ronin, to save the forest from the evil Mandrake and his Boggan army. Along the way, she meets Mub, a slug and Grub, a caterpillar, who become her allies in the battle against the forces of evil. The film features a range of characters inspired by mythology and folklore, including the Guardian of the forest, Queen Tara, who is voiced by Beyoncé Knowles.

Production

The film was produced by Blue Sky Studios, the same studio behind Ice Age and Rio, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film's production team included Chris Wedge, who directed the film, and Lori Forte and Jerry Davis, who produced the film. The screenplay was written by William Joyce, James V. Hart, Daniel Shere, Tom J. Astle, and Matt Ember, who drew inspiration from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The film's animation was created using a combination of computer-generated imagery and traditional animation techniques, similar to those used in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Tangled and Pixar Animation Studios' Up.

Characters

The film features a range of characters, including Mary Katherine, a teenage girl who is transported to the forest, and Nod, a young Leafman who becomes her ally. The film also features Ronin, the leader of the Leafmen, who is voiced by Colin Farrell, and Mandrake, the evil leader of the Boggan army, who is voiced by Christoph Waltz. The film's characters were inspired by a range of sources, including Greek mythology and Norse mythology, as well as the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The characters were designed by William Joyce, who is known for his work on Rise of the Guardians and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

Release

The film was released on May 24, 2013, in the United States and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film was released in 3D and IMAX formats, and was accompanied by a range of merchandise, including toys and video games. The film's release was preceded by a range of promotional activities, including the release of a trailer and a range of television advertisements. The film's release coincided with the release of other summer blockbusters, including Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from film critics, with many praising its visual effects and voice acting. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%, based on reviews from Roger Ebert, Peter Travers, and other critics. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $268 million at the box office worldwide. The film's success was seen as a major achievement for Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox, and helped to establish the studio as a major player in the computer-animated film market, alongside Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film's success also led to the development of a range of merchandise, including toys and video games, and helped to establish the film's characters as a part of popular culture, alongside characters from other films, such as Shrek and Frozen.