Today, Blue Sky Studios’ EPIC lands in theatres across Canada and the United States, inviting families and film lovers to settle in for a big-screen experience that begs to be shared aloud. The movie centers on MK, an ordinary girl whose restless curiosity pulls her away from the usual routine and toward a forest that few people ever notice. What seems like a quiet, sun-dappled clearing hides a whole civilization—an intricate world where tiny beings carry the weight of a vast, ancient forest. MK’s journey begins with a sense of wonder and quickly becomes something else entirely as she crosses from the familiar into a realm where scale is reversed and the impossible starts to feel possible. The film uses this premise to set the stage for a grand adventure that feels both intimate and colossal at once.
MK is portrayed with warmth and spontaneity by Amanda Seyfried, who brings a blend of courage and curiosity to the role. As her path intersects with Ronin, the resolute leader of the Leafmen, audiences meet guardians sworn to protect the forest’s delicate balance. Ronin is a capable commander who learns to loosen up and trust the younger energy around him. Nod, a boy roughly MK’s age, is the counterbalance to Ronin’s seriousness; he embodies youthful enthusiasm and a growing sense of responsibility. Completing the core alliance are Grub and Mub, a snail and slug duo with outsized ambitions and an ability to find humor in the darkest moments. Together, this unlikely team pivots from misfit to a cohesive force, united by a mission that tests their courage and loyalty as the forest faces a dire threat from Mandrake, a villain whose plans seek to destroy the woods.
After a few early missteps and a few lighthearted mishaps, EPIC settles into a rhythm that makes heroism feel shared rather than solitary. The script leans into an ensemble approach: there are strong female characters who lead moments of action, sturdy grownups who advise and back the team, and kids who prove they can hold their own in crunch time. The film eliminates a simple damsel in distress dynamic and instead offers a chorus of characters who rally together to save the day. The emphasis on cooperative effort gives the story a warm, inclusive energy that resonates with families and viewers seeking teamwork on screen. It is refreshing to watch a story that treats bravery as a team sport, with equal respect paid to every member of the group, regardless of size or age.
Visually, EPIC is where the film truly earns its applause. The animation team, drawing on the legacy of Ice Age, crafts a world that feels both magical and tactile. Audiences are treated to a forest so micro that leaves become towering landscapes and everyday insects are reimagined as essential modes of transport. A dragonfly might transform into a nimble airship; blades of grass tower above the characters as if they were giant trees. The textures, lighting, and color palette work in concert to make the tiny realm feel expansive, as if visitors are stepping into a new country or even a distant planet. The result is a sense of immersion that makes the forest feel alive, almost like a place that could exist right outside the cinema doors.
Beyond the eye-popping design, the film carries a message that resonates with Canadian and American audiences alike. It invites viewers to rethink the ordinary world by highlighting the value of cooperation, empathy, and resilience. The team’s victories are earned through trust and communication and not through force alone, a theme that feels timely and encouraging. The humor lands in the right moments, lightening tension while keeping emotional stakes clear. For families, the blend of action, heart, and wit makes EPIC a movie that can be revisited with pleasure, as new details reveal themselves with each viewing.
EPIC is currently playing in theatres, inviting audiences to step into its forest world and experience the wonder for themselves. The film earns a solid four out of five stars for its remarkable visuals, well-balanced ensemble, and uplifting message about teamwork and courage. In regions across Canada and the United States, EPIC offers a memorable escape that invites discussion about nature, friendship, and the power of working together.