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Epic Is One Fantastic Family Adventure!

MOONHAVEN FOREST (WWJ) - Whatever your plans are for this weekend, if you're in the mood for a good flick, "epic" is the one film you'll want to include in your itinerary. Oh, and when you go, take the kids along. They'll enjoy it too, so it'll make for a fun family outing. That's because "Epic" is an excellent movie; one I enjoyed so much that I'm confident you and everyone who goes along with you will feel the same way.

To demonstrate my point, not long after the film started (during just the second scene), my sister, Sylvia (among those I took to the screening with me) leaned over and whispered, "This movie is good!" I simply nodded my head in agreement so as not to take a chance on missing anything by engaging in a conversation (but don't tell her I said that!). The movie also kept the attention of my two nieces (Criss and Braylon); one a 2-year-old, and everyone knows how hard doing that can be. Not sure if it's because she recognized Beyonce's voice or whether she was enthralled by the action unfolding onscreen. But, I'm willing to bet it was a little bit of both.

"Epic" is a 3D adventure comedy from the creators of "Ice Age" and "Rio." It focuses on an ongoing battle between good and evil that takes place deep in the forest. The battle is being waged between the Leafmen, who protect the forest, and the Boggans who want to destroy it. The leader of the Leafmen is Ronin (Colin Farrell), while the Boggans are led by the evil Mandrake (Christoph Waltz), who believes he should rule the forest. While Mandrake has his son Dagda (Blake Anderson) at his side, Ronin and the rest of the Leafmen have Queen Tara (Beyonce), who presides over the forest Moonhaven, at theirs.

Also central to the story is Mary Katherine (but call her M.K.) and her father, Professor Bomba. Professor Bomba (Jason Sudeikis) has spent his entire career searching for the tiny creatures who he's convinced inhabit the forest. It's because of his obsession that he lives alone on the edge of the forest, and even M.K. (Amanda Seyfried) thinks her dad is a bit off his rocker.

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Left to right: Sylvia, Criss, Braylon and Terri following the screening of "Epic"

With a storyline that'll keep your attention, spectacular 3D visuals and a star-studded cast, there are more than enough reasons to make "epic" the movie for families to see this weekend. Who knows? Even though I've seen it already, you still might run into me at the theater catching an encore. As my niece, Criss, told me after we saw it, she's ready to add it to her DVD collection! Yes, it's that good.

"Epic" is directed by Chris Wedge, co-founder of Blue Sky Studios.

See you at the movies!

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

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