We’re having a fabulous time reviewing TalkTalk’s television, phone and broadband services so far. I’d go so far as to say they are many features on our Youview box that I simply could not live without now I’ve experienced them. The record function is an absolute necessity, especially in the case of your weekly favourites (X Factor, Downton Abbey, Homelands etc) where you can ask TalkTalk to record entire series’ in one click. There’s also the ability to scroll back through the previous week’s television and watch selected programmes On Demand. Never again will I ever moan to Craig that “There’s nothing to watch”.
You might recall that a month ago I reviewed TalkTalk’s Kids Boost and was impressed by the wealth of choice available, well this month it’s all about a TalkTalk Box Office review. To do this, we reviewed the family friendly film Epic (from the makers of Ice Age) featuring the voices of Colin Farrell, Beyonce, Amanda Seyfried, and wait for it… Steven Tyler!
The Ordering Process
Ordering the film was simple. You simply press the TalkTalk button on your remote, scroll to Film, then select the film you’d like to order. Whilst you’re selecting your movie, the mainframe of the screen will show you trailers of what is on offer to help you choose. Once selected, you’re taken to a Box Office screen which gives you more information about the title including cast, director, duration, year of release, certification and a short description of the movie. The price is also clearly listed and most offerings are available in HD or standard format. The only thing I’d point out is a minor spelling mistake in the description (there’s probably hundreds in this post alone so I won’t be too judgmental!).
The standard version of Epic was available to download for £3.50, with HD priced at £4.50. Considering it now costs upwards of £10 per person to go to the cinema, this is very reasonable indeed. There’ll be no more smuggling in Diet Coke’s and popcorn from Tescos as you can watch from the comfort of your sofa and pause for loo breaks - perfect!
Once you’ve selected your format, you’re taken to the payment screen. I was pleased to discover this is incredibly secure as you use your 4 digit pin to confirm the purchase. This is excellent if you have tech savvy little ones who are handy with a remote control. I know Dexter (at just 17 months) has already sent indecipherable tweets from my mobile, who knows what damage he could do with a tv remote! The movie downloaded in seconds which was really impressive. Once you made your purchase, you can watch the film as many times as you like for the next 48 hours.
So was Epic Epic? (boom boom)
I can’t believe I just typed that…
Well to be honest animated films aren’t really my sort of thing. In fact, you’re asking someone who (not-too-secretly) harbors visions of assassinating Disney executives worldwide and wears ear plugs when her son watches Peppa Pig. However, I’m sure, before long, Dexter will be taking over the telly and I’ll have no choice but to watch cartoons. Films like Epic are therefore a great toe-in-the-water for cartoon-phobic killjoys like myself.
The film is a classic good vs evil tale. It focuses on the secret life of the forest where mythical creatures called Leafmen (the goodies) are locked in a constant battle with The Boggans (the personification of decay and rot) over control of the forest. The Leafmen (led by Farrell’s character, Ronin) are charged with protecting nature and preserving the light within the forest, whereas The Boggans only seek to destroy everything that lives within it.
Meanwhile likeable teenager Mary Katerine aka M.K (Amanda Seyfried) returns to her childhood home where she is reunited with her eccentric father (looks a little like an emaciated David Tennant). Dad is exactly as you might imagine David Attenborough would be if he took hallucinogenics. Having lost his wife, he’s become obsessed with the forest and kitted it out with CCTV in order to prove the existence of the ‘Little People’. All being clearly not well in the house M.K decides to pack her bags and runaway.
As M.K. leaves the house she’s distracted by her father’s three-legged Pug Ozzy who bolts out the front door and heads off into the nearby forest. Without giving too much away, M.K chases him into the forest where upon she witnesses something truly miraculous that proves the existence of father’s beloved ‘Little People’. She is unwittingly shrunk to their size and is swept into an adventure where only she can save the forest. Joining forces with the Leafmen, and Mub and Grub (a snail and a slug) there follows an epic journey to defeat The Boggans!
The recommended age for the film is a fair 7+. As someone who took 4 pages of notes throughout Pirates of the Caribbean to remind herself what was going on, I’d definitely agree - at times even I was asking Craig! But there’s no denying that the animation was first-rate. In fact, as I watched it with Craig, Dexter and his Uncle Dan, they were raving about it a good 45 minutes after it had finished. Dexter might not have understood what was going on, but he definitely loved the colours and particularly liked Steven Tyler’s character Nim (a glowworm).
Here are some quotes from the lads…
“The sort of movie you’d imagine your child begging you to take them to McDonalds for (to collect the Happy Meal toy characters)” - Uncle Dan
“An impressive child’s fantasy film where good conquers evil. With good fun characters that children of all ages will enjoy (and some discreet adult humour for mum and dad) - it does exactly what it says on the tin” - Craig (my other half)
(No talking, but some impressive smiling and dancing) - Dexter (17 months)
Sounds like it got a big thumbs up from all the men in my life!
Disclaimer: We downloaded the movie for free as per our ongoing review work with TalkTalk. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
