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Epic - 2013

Epic - 2013
Movie Info

Rating: PG


Age-appropriateness: mild action scenes, multiple characters die on screen


Overview: A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group of characters in order to save their world -- and ours.


Themes: good vs. evil, father/daughter, death/grieving, parenting, family, environmentalism, faith, sacrifice, bravery

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Environmentalism. Why do you think it's important to protect the forest? Why do you think some people don't care about ruining the environment?

  • Mandrake and the Boggans tried to rot the forest, but Queen Tara continually re-grows the plants. They were focused on decimating the kingdom, bringing ruin to all of the forest. They wanted to destroy the plant life throughout their world.

  • Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Child About Environmentalism.


2. Sacrifice. Why do you think Queen Tara was willing to sacrifice herself? Why do you think Jesus sacrificed Himself for you?

  • Queen Tara sacrificed herself in order to save the Pod and the rest of her people. She gave up her life so that the rest of her friends would be protected from the Boggans. John 10:18 explains, "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” Jesus gave Himself up so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be with God in heaven, forever!


3. Faith. What are some things that you have faith in? What is something you cannot see, but you still believe that it's true?

  • M.K. asks her dad about his belief in an advanced society of little people, flying on birds and battling in the forest. He doesn't have any proof that they exist, but he has faith that it's real. He says, "Just because you haven't seen something doesn't mean it's not there." Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of faith: "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see."

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Parent self-evaluation: M.K.'s dad was so caught up in his passion that he neglected his relationship with his daughter. He spent his time so focused on finding the small people fighting in the forest that he actually missed what was most important. Is there anything that gets your time and attention more than your kids? How can you ensure that your kids get the best of you?


2. M.K. learns how to grieve the passing of her mother. She's trying to express her emotions about losing her mother - and she wants to do it in a healthy way. Have you ever had to grieve the loss of someone you love? What's the healthiest way to acknowledge your big feelings?


3. M.K. really wanted a relationship with her father. He was so preoccupied with his scientific studies that he missed opportunities to connect with her. He lost sight of what was most important in his life: namely, his relationship with his daughter. When he ran out to check his cameras, he thought, "this could be my big chance". M.K. replied, "You're missing a chance right now! Are you even listening?" Do you ever notice your parents are distracted by other things? When do you wish you were able to spend more time with your parents?


4. Mandrake and the Boggans tried to rot the forest, but Queen Tara continually re-grows the plants. They were focused on decimating the kingdom, bringing ruin to all of the forest. They wanted to destroy the plant life throughout their world. Why do you think it's important to protect the forest? Why do you think some people don't care about ruining the environment?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:09 M.K. re-convenes with her dad after a long time away from him. She is grieving her mother's passing, and she's trying to reconcile her relationship with her father. She wanted to make her mom proud. What do you do to try to make your parents proud? What do you think M.K. is feeling at this time?


:13 Queen Tara had the responsibility of choosing an heir. She had to choose who would be the person to eventually replace her as the queen. The Bible gives us great news that we are heirs of the great gifts of God! Romans 8:16-17 says, "For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." Did you ever consider yourself an heir of God? What are some of the great gifts that God gives to his heirs?


:19 M.K. asks her dad about his belief in an advanced society of little people, flying on birds and battling in the forest. He doesn't have any proof that they exist, but he has faith that it's real. He says, "Just because you haven't seen something doesn't mean it's not there." Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of faith: "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." What are some things that you have faith in? What is something you cannot see, but you still believe that it's true?


:30 Queen Tara sacrificed herself in order to save the Pod and the rest of her people. She gave up her life so that the rest of her friends would be protected from the Boggans. John 10:18 explains, "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” Jesus gave Himself up so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be with God in heaven, forever! Why do you think Queen Tara was willing to sacrifice herself? Why do you think Jesus sacrificed Himself for you?


:41 When M.K. was in danger, Nod jumped in to protect her. She was trying to escape the mouse, and she needed some help to get out to safety. How often do you jump in to help someone who needs help? What can you do to help someone in your life who needs help right now?


:47 Nim Galuu brings wisdom and knowledge to the Queen's people. He has the entire history of his people written on the scrolls. The history of God's people, the Israelites, is written in the Old Testament of the Bible. We can learn a lot by reading about the people that lived before us. We can learn from their mistakes, and from their achievements. Understanding history helps us create a better future. Nim says that "the scrolls guide us with the knowledge of the past." How much history do you know and read about? How do you think learning history can help you make decisions today?


1:02 When Ronin and Nod start making fun of "stompers" (humans), M.K. defends her father. She won't stand by as people say mean things about him. When you hear people making fun of someone, what can you do to defend that person? How can you stand up to bullies and do the right thing?


1:15 Ronin took on the Boggans by himself so that Nod and M.K. could secure the Pod. Ronin was willing to give his life for a cause bigger than himself. Is there anything that you're committed to that is a really big and important mission? How can you commit to something that can make a difference in the world?


1:28 Mandrake and the Boggans are defeated and new life sweeps throughout the forest. God always brings new life and light into dark places. John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." God always brings hope and life into people's lives. Have you ever seen God bring hope and light into a dark situation?

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