‘Epic Tails’ VOD Review
Stars: Sonja Ball, Josh Widdicombe, Rob Beckett, Mark Camacho, Giovanna Fletcher | Written by David Alaux, Eric Tosti, Jean-François Tosti | Directed by David Alaux
In the peaceful Greek city of Yolcos, Pattie (Sonja Ball) is a mouse who dreams of becoming a hero like Jason (of And The Argonauts fame). Her opportunity comes when a statue is unveiled of Zeus (Josh Widdicombe), leaving Poseidon (Rob Beckett) in a jealous rage. He gives the citizens of Yolcos seven days to build a statue in his honour that is as beautiful as Zeus’ statue, or their home will be destroyed.
While she is inspired by the fantastical tales she read, Pattie is disheartened at how nobody believes in her dreams of heroism. This includes Sam (Mark Camacho), her adopted father that is a vegetarian cat who resorts to backstabbing duplicity to prevent Pattie from leaving. Intent on proving her naysayers wrong, the mouse tags along a quest undertaken by Jason, who journeys to the faraway island of Trinactos to save their home.
Based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Eric Tosti and Jean-François Tosti, director David Alaux brings alive a decently animated feature about following one’s dreams. Housing that familiar message is a muddled plot where disconnected ideas struggle to unite, unfolding in a perfunctory manner which lacks laughs as it hammers home clearly made points in dull ways. Instead, the focus appears to be on referencing films the target audience will not have seen, from the opening line referencing Goodfellas, to a key character evidently inspired by The Godfather.
The rare songs that appear are as hollow as an Easter egg, attempting to move audiences in ways that the half-hearted emotional beats cannot do. Not helping matters are the voice cast who fail to sell these moments, which the particular casting of British comedians who delivered such laughs on Mock The Week and Taskmaster sadly feeling ill-fitting here. What remains is animated fare which may engage toddlers, even though they deserve better than this bottom-of-the-barrel work.
* 1/5
Epic Tails is available on DVD and digital platforms now.
