The First Epic Movie is a 2017 American computer-animated superhero comedy film following two overly imaginative pranksters as they hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic superhero named Captain Underpants.
A great pastime that offers a kind of fun similar to the cartoons that we used to watch in the mornings at the time that the animated cinema of Hollywood seemed forgotten. [Full review in Spanish]
The film doesn't stop bringing together huge amounts of naive eschatological gags with brilliant and extemporaneous critical references about government neglecting education and the unjustly paid teachers. [Full review in Spanish]
They've preserved Pilkey's exuberant drawing style as well as his understanding of what sort of humor is guaranteed to make young kids laugh until their sides hurt.
The level of this film is more of an eschatological joke that is, of course, childish but lacks of the slightest grace, despite its naivety. The gags are shameful even for children. [Full review in Spanish]
The film also inventively incorporates CG animation, live-action sock puppets and a flipbook to bring to life the pages of Pilkey's sentimental ode to boyhood.
While the movie is solidly and unapologetically pitched towards kids, it has a subversive streak that is as genuine and sharp as anything whipped up by Roald Dahl.
It defends the therapeutic power of the most primitive laugh and that's ok, but it would've been better if, instead of devoting itmself to shooting so many fireworks, it would've been concerned to be funnier. [Full review in Spanish]
While I can't foresee [Captain Underpants] spawning any additional cinematic chapters in George and Harold's heroic tale, if it sends viewers to the library and the bookstore to discover what happens next that's perfectly fine by me.
In the end, it's impossible to ignore the fact that this feature is devoid of even the simplest positive morals or takeaways. And it's not quite funny or wry enough to forgive its weaknesses.
