79. Epic Tails (Pattie); movie review

 

EPIC TAILS

Cert U

95 mins

BBFC advice: Contains very mild fantasy violence, threat, rude humour

One of my favourite films as a child was Jason And The Argonauts.

It was a regular on TV during the school holidays and I loved the combination of exciting adventures with those incredible creatures from Greek mythology. 

Sixty years after its cinema release, an animation has emerged with its story as its foundation.

Epic Tails is set in Iolcos, the home city of Jason who is now a much older man but still commands respect for his successful capture of the legendary Golden Fleece.

Thus, he is about to reveal a statue in homage to Zeus who was his guiding light on his famous journey.

However, while Zeus bathes in delight in the heavens about this recognition, his brother, Poseidon, is furious, and threatens to wipe out the city with a tsunami if they don't produce a statue of him within a week.

This provides the platform for a rescue act by a brave mouse called Pattie who is desperate to break out of her boring life in an attic with her best friend, a scaredy cat, called Sam.

Sam wants to keep Pattie safe but she wants to save her city and team up for one last adventure for Jason and his Argonauts.

This David Alaux movie has all of the ingredients of a pleasing animated movie - heroes fending off not-too-aggressive monsters alongside key themes of friendship and just doing the right thing.

And, of course, there are some gross moments which certainly prompted a reaction from the kids in the Sunday morning audience at Derby Odeon.

In addition, it had an appeal to oldies like me because it evoked memories of our childhood and that wonderful movie.

Reasons to watch: Takes us back to Jason and the Argonauts

Reasons to avoid: Script is a little bit obvious

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? Along with the Theban Wars, and the hunting of the Calendonian boar, the story of Jason is one of the three great pre-Trojan war adventures in Greek history.

The final word. David Alaux: "Above all, I wanted to set the scene for the adventure in the mythological universe of Ancient Greece while remaining free to create a whole new story. I chose Jason's city, Iolcos, but placing our adventure 80 years after his famous quest, which allowed me to imagine new original adventures while remaining attached to an epic known from mythology." Arrete Ton Char

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