I said this once and I’ll say it again: I don’t ask a lot from animated features. As long as they’re entertaining, colorful and funny, I’m hooked. Chris Wedge, the director who brought us “Ice Age” and “Robots” has done it again with “Epic”. Here is an enjoyable, good-looking, funny animated feature destined to capture the hearts of young fans and movie aficionados alike. All the right ingredients are here: a likable heroine we can root for, an unlikely hero who has to prove himself, an oily villain, a colorful array of supporting characters and sweet production design. Not to mention solid voice work by  Amanda Seyfried, Beyonce Knowles (yes she’s in it!) Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Christoph Waltz (as the baddie) and Jason Sudeikis. The story focuses on a young teenage girl who visits her father, Professor Bomba, in a remote forest after the death of her mother. We learn that the father is obsessed with his work and that he is convinced that “the forest is inhabited by miniature beings”.Soon enough the girl encounters these tiny creatures when they take her on an unexpected adventure. That’s how and where the plot thickens. The title of the movie suggests that this is going to be an “epic” adventure. While it’s not entirely true, the movie still provides solid entertainment for kids and adults alike (there’s no use in denying it). Does it break any new ground? Not really. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

Rating: 3/4