Sophie's Film Choice #20: CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE

It is indeed, epic.

Having heard only great things about this film, I headed to the Hatfield Galleria (of 'Hey Galleria'-sang-to-the-tune-of-Macarena fame) bright and early last Saturday to go and see what all the fuss was about. Fans of the 'graphic novel' series had congregated from far and wide to witness a cinematic event that we were told would make 'LOL' history. At 10AM, all seven audience members sat down to await the greatest super hero movie of the year so far.

What you need to know: Harold and George are best friends and committed to saving the students from a life of drudgery caused by their tyrannous headmaster, Mr. Krupp, by pulling as many pranks as possible on the teachers (an early montage conveniently shows them all). Added to this quest, the two besties spend hours up in George's treehouse, creating their very own comic book series - Captain Underpants. The angle: instead of most super heroes who merely look like they are wearing underwear on top of their clothes, Captain Underpants wears only underwear! And a cape, of course.

When Harold and George are caught red handed on a particularly naughty prank by Mr. Krupps one day, they are told they will have to be put into separate classes. It's basically the end of the world. In a desperate attempt to change their fates, they manage to hypnotise him into becoming their exceedingly silly and enthusiastic fantasy super hero - Captain Underpants - at their will. Hilarity ensues.

HOPE DIES HERE. 

From the very opening sequence of the film, where Harold and George's voices sing along badly to the Dreamworks introduction (boy fishing on a moon), the giggles begin. What follows is a 90 minute treat of silly songs, smart one liners, parodies and pranks galore which seem to have captured audiences of all ages.

Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch do an amazing job at voicing George and Harold: even though they clearly aren't children, they inject the perfect amount of drama and cheekiness into the characters to make the pair endearing and genuinely funny. In fact, the two leads have the edge over the laughs throughout. Highlights include: the Saturday song (where you can wear your PJs ALL DAY), the jubilant walking sequences and 'quiet fives' (a wiggly fingers high five for when you have to be extra secret).

The rest of the film, including the refreshingly simple plot, the evil Professor Poopypants (enough said) and the school swot who is scientifically proven to have NO sense of humour, all really act as vehicles for Harold and George to continually delight us with their adorably comic friendship.

Calvin and Kanye: the early years

By keeping the plot line and characters relatively simple and bold, the film is able to explore a whole load of other techniques to make it infectiously chaotic and quirky. The 'home made' feel of some of the sequences replicates the resourceful and unbridled imagination of childhood: at points, the 3D animation is replaced with other medias, like a cute sock puppet sequence and a 'flip-o-rama' which takes us through the climax of the film (apparently too 'gory and expensive' to show in the proper form).

The songs that sound like they are being made up as they go along, the witty asides, and references to other film genres through slo mo and inspired music choices (significantly, without explicitly copying any other films) all add to the offbeat charm of Captain Underpants. It takes me back to the early days of Dreamworks, when Shrek was first released in theatres: well paced, energetic and referential, with a universal wit and just the right amount of silliness.

TRA - LA - LAAA-ving this film. Will appeal to fans of The Muppets, more recent Disney (Moana, Frozen) and, of course, loyal Captain Underpants fans.

Who doesn't love a high waisted brief?