Argonautas

Epic Tails is a little silly in its execution and some things fall flat almost from the beginning. Despite that the film is watchable, though I doubt my kids will be requesting it all that often.

I've spent a rather large portion of my life studying classics so I'm always happy to see a new movie about the ancient Mediterranean. Sadly, I don't think Epic Tails is the film to really ignite a passion for the period in children.

The thing that holds it back from being a great movie is the lack of humour, I think. I've just returned from the cinema and there was only one moment when all the kids were laughing out loud. An animated feature like this just needs to be funnier.

The adventure in the story is perfectly adequate and, like I said, the movie is totally watchable. I guess I just wanted it to be something special and it isn't.

At the beginning, the movie seems a bit slow and nothing truly eventful happens. However, the second part is full of surprises, funny and adventurous. The acting, the voice over actors to be precised, did a very good job in impersonating the characters and expressing their emotions. The animation is flawless and carefully executed, some of the characters are truly funny and lovable while the poor cat is pathetic. I guess the cat is meant to be that way but after a while it disturbs the rest of the characters who are perfect in their imperfections. To sum up, it's a cute movie, rather enjoyable in the second half while the first part can be a drag, it's been overstretched.

The over dub into English seemed laboured. It might be a direct translation from French or a poor English writer but the script felt flat and awkward. I suspect in its original language it might have had more zing.

While the story is well told, ever so often things just didn't make sense because of the translation and that impacted on the enjoyment of the film.

The animation was good but the voice actors, some not actors but comedians, couldn't lift the dull script. Perhaps with a more experienced cast there might have been a little more energy.

It was an ok watch but i wouldn't want to sit through it again.

This is a cute animation from France, nice characters and sweet story about friendship and working together.

It's a Greek mythology , Jason and the Argonauts adventure but the heroes are animals, (mostly) in particular a Cat and a Mouse.

When the Gods have a disagreement up in Olympus they play havoc down on earth, Poseidon threatens the seaside town of Yolcos with a tsunami if they don't build a statue honouring him.

Jason is now a bit ancient and the Argonauts are dead but clever little mouse Patti is determined to do her bit to save the town, she is well read on all things Greek mythology and starts the adventure going with a map leading to an island that has a magnificent trident, just what they need for the statue. With the help of some magic and best friend Sam they wake up the Argonauts and set sail on their quest in the refurbished Argo.

There are lots of wonderful animal characters including Ninja Rats and new age giant Scorpions, the baddies are represented by a hoard of Cyclops and their robot, Ray Harryhausen would probably turn in his grave here !?.

The animation quality is superb high resolution detailed CGi for the animals and settings , the human characters are a bit waxy though.

There are lots of nods , homages and music references to other movies , most of which the younger children wouldn't recognise but it was fun for me.

I am not sure if I liked all the voices in this English dubbed version, maybe they could have used actors that could at least do European accents , rather than the British stand up comedians ?

It's mostly aimed at the younger audience who I think would enjoy it.

It might not have have helped that the volume was way too loud which spoilt the enjoyment

Greek myth in itself is interesting but it becomes less so when it's twisted even further that goes for the marvel or D. C. versions and the same with Norse myth but it also is less interesting in animation be it Disney or in this case an astrerix type French offering

The best part of the film was the credits as you then knew it was over !

It wasn't all bad the cat and mouse charade was fun and there were some interesting characters particularly the cyclops characters and that whole scene was probably the most interesting

It's ok but far from great

Pad. A 3/10.