The film-makers behind this chirpy family animation have clearly decided that what have been lacking in the hero department of Greek mythology are cute furry creatures. The star of their ancient Greece-set adventure is a brave little mouse called Pattie, who happens to live in the same seaside town as Jason, that mighty human of Argonauts fame. These days, Jason is a doddery old duffer so, when Poseidon, god of the sea, steals the golden fleece and threatens mayhem and destruction, it’s plucky pipsqueak Pattie to the rescue.
There is nothing to complain about in the animation here from French studio TAT Productions: the cobbled streets and crystal-clear waves of the Aegean sea are gorgeous, like Mamma Mia! for kids. And there is a cracking action sequence near the start involving an elite squad of highly trained ninja rats pulling off a raid on a fruit and veg market. But the plot – like so many movies aimed at young kids – is unnecessarily fiddly, with details that will sail over the heads of most five-year-olds.
Still, the pacing is speedy enough, zipping along as Pattie and her gang take on assorted villains from Greek mythology – though it might be too scary for very young ones. Their final destination is an island inhabited by one-eyed monsters. The film’s best characters are the gods, portrayed as vapid celebrities, Botoxed and gym-buffed, goggling down at Earth from the clouds. But they are restricted to supporting roles, and mostly what we are left with are generic four-legged cuddly heroes – and the drearily predictable message that bravery can come in pint-sized packages, too.
Nearly everything about Epic Tails feels a bit underwhelming, and limited imagination-wise. The cinema I was in was almost full with under-sevens and their grownups; it was was silent but for munching, not one scene had them giggling in their booster seats.
• Epic Tails is released on 10 February in UK cinemas.
