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06/22/2017 12:01 AMRated PG
Summertime is a great time to be a kid. School is out, schedules are relaxed, and there is always a plethora of new family films to enjoy. This summer is no different. Upcoming anticipated summer family film releases include Cars 3, Despicable Me 3, The Emoji Movie, and The Nut Job 2, among others. Starting this summer’s family film release streak is Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, an enjoyable, but silly animated story about two elementary school-aged best friends who together create an epic character.
Captain Underpants has long entertained young readers, but now he is entertaining young moviegoers, as well. Currently in theaters, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is a film starring the voice talents of Kevin Hart (Ride Along and The Wedding Ringer) as George and Thomas Middleditch (The Wolf of Wall Street and The Campaign) as Harold. George and Harold are best friends who love to spend their free time hanging out together. Their absolute favorite activity is writing their own comic books based on a character they created whom they call Captain Underpants.
While the comic book writing flies just fine at home when the boys are spending their free time in the tree house that is centered between their families’ properties, it is a big no-no at school, where their principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helms of The Hangover and Vacation), regularly confiscates their comics in order to try to squash the boys’ general unruliness at school. There is near constant tension between the two boys (who tend to be somewhat mischievous in order to liven up their time at school) and the hard-nosed principal (who sets out each day to maintain order in his school).
One day, the unthinkable happens. After getting caught tampering with another student’s science fair project, George and Harold are sent to the principal’s office. As punishment for their misdemeanor, which is caught on camera, Mr. Krupp threatens to separate George and Harold by moving one of them to a different class. The boys feverishly try to stop him and, on a whim, George manages to hypnotize Mr. Krupp and turns him into Captain Underpants. The boys attempt to manage Captain Underpants and his dimwitted ideas to save the world, all while trying not to let anyone else realize what they have done to Mr. Krupp.
While under the magical spell of being hypnotized, Captain Underpants hires an evil new science teacher (Nick Kroll of I Love You, Man and TV’s The League). The new professor acts like a typical teacher in order to gain entrance to the school, but has evil plans to control the minds of the school’s children and take away their ability to laugh. It isn’t long before an epic showdown between Captain Underpants and the professor is underway with George and Harold caught in the middle of it.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is, not surprisingly, mighty silly, but it is harmless fun with a lot of laughs for kids of any age. Be sure to enjoy this family film that will very likely have all viewers smiling and laughing.
Affordable Family Fun
In addition to the new releases this summer, Regal runs a noteworthy series of slightly older films. Each year beginning in June and running through August, the Regal Entertainment Group hosts an event that they call Summer Movie Express at certain Regal cinemas, including their Branford location. They play somewhat recent family movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and the price of admission is $1. As if $1 fun, cool entertainment for kids isn’t great enough, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. This summer The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and Storks are just a few of the 18 different films that are featured in this series. Check it out to enjoy some very affordable family fun!
Wanted: Your Opinion (In 10 Words or Fewer)
We’re always looking for the community’s input—and now we’re offering you a chance to share your opinion of the latest blockbusters, foreign films, indies, and romantic comedies to hit the big screen with your neighbors! Each week, we’ll print the best reader-submitted reviews in the Living section and online at www.zip06.com. Send your 10-word movie review to Living Editor Pem McNerney at p.mcnerney@shorepublishing.com along with your name and hometown and join the conversation!