Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Review

Reviewed by Lynn Barker on Jun 02, 2017

Rating:

Kidzworld saw Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. Is it truly funny? Can you relate to the two comic book nerd heroes? Check out our movie review.

By: Lynn Barker

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie asks the question ever have a true bestie you just can’t live without? It’s like that for elementary school pals George Beard (voice of Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins (Thomas MIddleditch). They pull pranks together to liven up their school and get back at mean principal Krupp (Ed Helms) who is against all things fun, including the school Arts program. The boys write and draw comics; especially a fave superhero “Captain Underpants”. Can they use their hero to shape up Krupp?

Harold and George in their treehouse retreatCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Pranksters Supreme

In smalltown Ohio, George Beard and Harold Hutchins are two fourth-grade friends and next-door neighbors who delight their classmates at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School, by constantly pranking the cruel teachers, especially the mean Principal Benjamin Krupp who hates them. The besties also create and sell their comic books through their company Treehouse Comix Inc, housed, of course, in their treehouse. After the boys tamper with and sabotage a toilet invention created by no-sense-of-humor class snitch Melvin (Jordan Peele) for the Invention Convention, Krupp, who has gotten their exploits on video, decides to put the BFFs in separate classes thinking this will end their disruptive friendship.

Is Krupp so mad he may actually blow up?Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Hilarious Hypnosis

Not being able to stand the idea of being separated from his best pal, George uses a plastic Hypno Ring from a cereal box to actually hypnotize Krupp. First George and Harold suggest to him that he is a chicken or a monkey and it works! They then settle on making him their Captain Underpants! Of course, Krupp/Underpants then strips down and runs around town in his tighty-whities and a red curtain cape creating chaos and nearly getting himself killed.

George hyponotizes KruppCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Krupp Control?

Later the guys discover that Captain Underpants will pop back into Krupp if water is splashed on him. A snap of their fingers brings their superhero back. They convince Krupp, when he is Captain Underpants, to wear his clothes at school as a “secret Identity”. This new Krupp has a much more friendly personality that attracts shy lunch lady Edith (Kristen Schaal) who had a crush on him already.

Edith makes a caserole for KruppCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Enter Prof. Poopypants

Evil scientist/inventor determined to dominate the world Prof. Poopypants (Nick Kroll) becomes the new school science teacher and the guys learn that his aim is to get rid of all laughter. Nobody will have a sense of humor so that they can’t laugh at his “unique” last name. He’s tired of being made fun of. Since Marvin already has no sense of humor, Prof. P. taps into his brain, creates a giant attacking toilet monster with a humor-robbing ray and plans to start his project by turning everyone at school into sad, no fun zombie types.

Prof. Poopypants plans his evil schemeCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Improved Krupp

But the “new” kinder Krupp (Captain Underpants undercover) has locked up bad teachers, restored the school Arts programs and brought a fun carnival to the school grounds. Seeing that Krupp lives a lonely life, the boys actually feel a bit sorry for him. Prof. Poopypants’ timing sucks. Can the boys and Captain Underpants ruin Poopy’s plans? Will Principal Krupp and Edith get together? Will Krupp ever be truly nice?

Tra La Laaaa yells UnderpantsCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Wrapping Up

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie celebrates creative cooperation and true friendship.. kind of like the old ‘80’s live action movie Stand By Me did. You get the idea that these two lead kids will be friends for a very long time. The film also stands up for Arts programs in schools which are sadly disappearing by the hundreds. A big plus in my book.

The guys laugh at their creationCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

Everyone would love a cool treehouse like the two boys have and we can relate to the fun had there. The voice actors are overall excellent. I could do without the over-the-top, constant literal toilet humor… jokes about Uranus, a giant attacking toilet etc. I guess it’s a little boy thing. Would adding a gal pal for the guys or someone they have a crush on have been impossible? None-the-less, at the heart of the movie is not only the message of true friendship but the hope that a bit of love and companionship might just warm the coldest heart.

Another trip to Krupp's officeCourtesy of 20th Century Fox

The crude and cute cartoons the kids draw are animated at times and charming as is a sock puppet sequence depicting the possible break up of the two BFF’s friendship. I couldn’t help it. I loved a “whoopee/fart cushion symphony scene. We were charmed enough to give the film a resounding Tra-la-laaaaaa and 3 stars.