Critic Reviews

• Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

  Director Chris Wedge falls into the common animator's trap of making the "human" characters a lot duller than the nonhuman creepy-crawlies.

• Zachary Wigon, Village Voice

  With its array of goofy sidekicks (Aziz Ansari as a slug almost runs away with the whole picture) and carefully crafted relationships, Epic certainly manages to tell a compelling tale.

• Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies

  A 3D eco-fantasy whose mantra-like insistence that we're all connected by nature is one of the main things that underscores the abject insincerity of the sentiment as the movie articulates it, "Epic" is very nearly epic in its stifling mediocrity.

• Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

  Anyone over the age of 7 or so - not to mention their accompanying adults - isn't going to find too much here to truly engage them, let alone linger past the final fade out.

• Dave McGinn, Globe and Mail

  Children may enjoy it, but even they will be able to see all the boxes it systematically ticks.

• Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

  It may not be epic, but it's eye-popping entertainment.

• JimmyO, JoBlo's Movie Emporium

  This woodland fairy tale is not nearly as Epic as the title would suggest.

• Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate

  Sweet, eye-popping, eco-friendly adventure, suitable for children of all ages.

• Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique

  ...the most beautiful boring movie ever made.

• Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

  Animated adventure amuses but doesn't live up to its title.

• Sandy Schaefer, ScreenRant

  By-the-numbers kid's movie elements prevent Epic from completely living up to its name; nonetheless, it's still a solid film for the whole family.

• Graham Young, Birmingham Mail

  The story has periods of great invention, too, offering both an ingenious combination of time and space as well as the sublime use of different speeds of sound.

• Rob Vaux, Mania.com

  It doesn't do anything groundbreaking, but its attention to detail produces a reliably entertaining family adventure.

• Nina Garin, San Diego Union-Tribune

  It's never a good sign when there are five screenwriters on a single project; maybe that's why the story feels clunky and overcomplicated.

• Rebecca Cusey, Patheos

  Good despite the poster-blurb title. I hear the sequels are "Best Family Movie Yet" and "Amazing Thrill Ride!"

• Kristian Harloff, Schmoes Know

  Some jokes that should have worked fell flat and the movie never sucked me in on a level like a "Toy Story" or "Finding Nemo" would. But if you have kids and are looking for a safe journey to take them on at the movies, "Epic" will punch your ticket.

• Mark Ellis, Schmoes Know

  here's humor, intense action and even some family friendly young lust...and it all adds up to a 3D animated feast that can play with the big boys of May.

• Katherine Monk, Canada.com

  Thanks to some sweet vocal contributions from Seyfried and Farrell, as well as Chris O'Dowd, who alongside Pitbull brings magic to his slimy-but-noble character, the movie finds great comic touches that will keep the grown-ups amused and the kids rapt.

• Mark Zhuravsky, The Playlist

  ...despite several moments of thoughtful, quiet near-bliss and well-crafted action beats, the overall product is underwhelming. Visuals aside, the film's title belies a story that's anything but.

• Louis Black, Austin Chronicle

  Fast-moving, involving, and entertaining, the tale sweeps you deep into its current and carries you swiftly along.

Read all 23 critic reviews