Legend Of The Guardians The Owls Of Gahoole

Posted In: Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga'Hoole

Nikole Hartney says...

Talking owls?I wasn't initially convinced, but I was quickly won over and found a simple and compelling story, well told with good characterization and dialogue.The press critics seem to have been beguiled by its dark tone and amazing graphics (it's difficult to detect that this is an animated feature) into assuming it should therefore have some of the same complexity as an adult movie.But it isn't an adult movie.It's a movie that appears to have been made to satisfy imaginative 10-15 year olds (for younger children it might well be too scary, especially at the cinema).It's true that it's cliched and lacks explanatory depth - both things I'd normally mark a review down for -but that's broadly true of most "young adult" storytelling.Within the limitations of the market niche that the film's makers are aiming at, it works well.The animations are absolutely outstanding, and the animators must have minutely studied owl behaviour for years.The few glaring flaws I spotted were: 1) some dreadfully naff pop music in the middle (presumably there to aid the soundtrack sales) which is thankfully quite short, and 2) one ugly Americanism in the dialogue - "let's check it out..." used when something more suitable to a fantasy tale (like "take a look") would have been more suitable.

Posted on January 18, 2011

Joaquin Lappe says...

The movie is visually stunning. The 3D Imax version left such an impression on my 10 yr. son that he is now "plowing" through the 15 books in this series. I couldn't be happier! Both my boys 8 and 10 felt that seeing this movie and its classic story was a special memory. I know they'll look back and remember this - like I did when I saw Star Wars! Enjoy!

Posted on January 18, 2011

Clement Plumley says...

When I saw the trailer for Legend of the Guardians , I was so excited to see it. One of the main reasons was because it was directed by Zack Snyder and because the animation looked unlike anything I have ever seen in CGI. I finally got to the theaters to see it and I have to say that was let down.



First off, the animation was the best part of the whole film. I could not get over how breathtaking the landscapes were and even the way the characters were brought to life. These owls looked so lifelike and while they did talk and fight (yes they actually fought with blades), the way they walked and the way their feathers and wings went against the wind was astounding. The acting was very well done, getting a slew of well known names such as Jim Sturgess, Sam Neil, Hugo Weaving and Abigail Cornish. The only weakness this film had was the plot. I understand that the film was in fact the first 3 novels of this massive story.The reason it failed was because the film was way too short. The movie started off really, really light and then went really, really dark. There was very little time for character development as well as plot explanation and that would have really helped this film. I have read the premise of these novels and it is an incredible fantasy story. Being able to make this film with the use of CGI gave it tremendous potential to be a great film. Still, when it comes to family oriented films you always have to remember a good portion of your viewers has an attention span of a common field mouse. Because of that major flaw, I would be quite surprised if a sequel is ever made, they have a lot to work on especially if they plan to put another 3 novels into one film. I would love to see possibly a directors cut or an extended version of this film so they can thicken up the story as it should be told.



Still, Legend of the Guardians is something worth seeing if not only once. Just the spectacle of it is quite amazing and just seeing how far we have come to making CGI films as real as live action. This film couldn't set a better example.

Posted on January 19, 2011

Season Goyne says...

One of the best movies I have seen lately. The animation is amazing- it couldn't be better it was real! The movement of the owls is perfect. The aerial battles are awesome.The use of "slow motion" creates some very dramatic moments.The facial expressions of the owls are great, not realistic of course, owls don't smile. but they are done in such a way that really fits with owl faces. The story is also inspiring if you like to see the triumph of good over evil. I saw it at the IMAX 3D which is definitely the way to go if you can. It is definitely appropriate for adults who like animation.

Posted on January 19, 2011

Porsha Burczyk says...

The Owls of Ga'hoole was definitely the most beautiful movie I've ever seen. And it's use of 3D was amazing. I liked the use of 3D in this even better than the 3D in Avatar. It was that good.



When I first saw it on the theater screen I was blown away, even from the first credits. This movie has a depth and "realism" that truly shows what 3D is capable of, without getting at all gimmicky.



The story is a general coming of age story, of myths and legends and people who still believe. It's about family, and dreams, and all the things that touch us most. The design of the owls was outstanding, giving a natural expressiveness and uniqueness to each owl was a big feat considering how expressionless and similar looking owls actually are. But the subtleties in the expressions in this movie were simply amazing to see, and each owl had it's own distinct character, look, and voice.



The backgrounds were beautifully rendered, but also very real looking. It was that golden mix of a fantasy world that looks real, without losing any of the power and message of the fantasy.



This is a good vs evil story, and the scenery reflects that, from the comfortable, normal, forest home in the beginning, to the dark and sinister mines of the "Pure Ones," to the busy and optimistic bustle of the great Tree of Ga'Hoole.



Even the water scenes in this movie were outstanding, and water can be a nightmare to animate, much less when animating feathers, and wet feathers at that.



I agree with the other reviewer who said they need an art book for this movie. Truly, if you see no other movie this year, go see Legend of the Guardians in 3D. This is one of those memories that stays with you forever. One of the GOOD ones.

Posted on January 19, 2011

Carmon Richer says...

I am an avid fan of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole book series and have read all 17 books about these owls. This movie is something I'd imagine for a long time and when I saw previews I immedietly beganing binge reading to complete the series in a little under two weeks.

The movie was amazing! I went in 3-D and feel that it was well worth it. It was one of the fullest 3-D films I'd ever seen with things not only popping out but sinking away. The lanscapes were totally gorgeous and the owls simply marvelous. (Even if I think Twilight looks silly that is pretty much what a Great Gray Owl looks like.)





POSSIBLE SPOILERS

How does the movie compare the books? Well, for one thing it covers 'three' books. Mostly book 1 and an adapted version of book 3. Book 2, The Journey, is covered very quickly.

The villians of the novels were treated interestingly, combining groups of villians and splitting individual villians into two characters. However, this is handled so deftly as to be completely natural and it really works for this film.

The settings. Nailed it. That's really all that needs to be said.

The 'Band'. Awesome, I mentioned earlier Twilight looks silly, that is really the only thing working against the Band, you get a sense of the comraderie that builds in the books.

Other Ga'Hoolian Owls. This is where the movie falls short. Otulissa has no real part in the movie, this is sad because she really does have a wonderful personality once it gets fully developed. Ezylryb, one of my favorites in the book, I don't know what happened here. It should work, I think once again he suffers from too little screen time. You never gets to see the quirks of his personality. While Barran and Boron were handled well this can't be said for many of the other Ga'Hoolians. Pity.

Last but not least, the un-owly stuff. The owls are violent having large scale wars. Anyone who complains that the movie is violent probably would hate the books. The books have a heavy bit of fighting. Blacksmithing, who cares that owls can't really smith? It is important to realize that this is set in a post human world and owls can write too. While it is true that an owl isn't really built to forge steel one should never lose sight of the fact that this is fiction. Aand possibly my favorite part of the books, colliering. The idea of an owl flying through a forest fire is simply breathtaking and the movie delivered. Sequences where Soren was flying through fire were among some of the most beautiful I'd ever seen in a movie.

Posted on January 20, 2011

Lecia Kiko says...

I absolutely loved this movie!! I can't wait until December 17th when I can purchase it. I took my 9 year old daughter to see it and I think I liked it more than she did. The visual effects were fabulous. We watched it in 3D which we will not be able to do at home but I look forward to watching it again anyway. This is not a feel good movie though and I don't recommend it for the very young.

Posted on January 20, 2011

Kennith Kenkel says...

Good vs. Evil is the way to look at this movie. If you have a problem with the existence of "evil" you will most likely not enjoy this movie.



The story is filled with themes such as standing up for the weak, facing your fears and enemies- even if it's your own brother. At one point the brother of the main character joins the "Pure Ones" because they are strong. Why hobble yourself with the weak? He wanted to be the best, and staying with the weak doesn't work with that goal real well.



It's a story that shows that being good is more than being the best or strongest, though those traits may still also be necessary.



The main character of this film, a young male owl who has grown up hearing war stories of the past, eventually meets the author of those stories. He's old and scarred, and he finds the real stories aren't so glorious- they are "Hell". But then the old scarred owl says, that's the necessary point. To do good, you still stand up and do what's right, again and again, even if you end up looking like him in the end. Even the "weak" owls are given tasks in his camp, and their specific worth is pointed out.



The Owls shows your greatest challenges are usually yourselves. A harsh theme many adults rebel against in all their complexity, searching for reasons to justify bad behavior. Many adults prefer villains like Darth Vader who is wronged, is tricked, and then he goes bad because of it (outside evil or others made him do it). The owl's bad guys go bad all on their own, simply because they want to be better than the rest. The willingness to do "anything" to be the best and the strongest is their downfall. The outside influences are just the opportunity, nothing more.



This isn't the "if you kill the bad guy, you'll be just like him" philosophy that's so prevalent in most animated films and TV shows either. The Legend of the Guardians is in fact the exact opposite; To stop, and if necessary, kill the killer and end his reign, is the right thing to do. It's the land of the free, because of the brave themes. One of the hardest lessons of all is you might even have to stand up against someone you love.



It's a story that will appeal to kids (especially boys who crave good male role models), but the darkness of the fight scenes could scare very young children. 8 years and up is what I would give as a general rule.



The animation is an A+ --especially in 3D. The owls look extremely lifelike, and the story is original enough that it's an easy film to watch. As other reviewers have pointed out, it is basically bloodless. Real young kids probably won't catch exactly why a helmet goes flying off for instance...helping to give the stories mature message an easy way to get across.



I really enjoyed the movie, specifically because I found the themes to be so much more than in most movies- though this IS a KIDS movie. But even if you put all that aside, it's a good action flick too!

Posted on January 21, 2011

Wm Schadt says...

Based on Kathryn Lasky's children's series (Guardians of Ga'hoole Complete Set, Books 1-15), The Legend of the Guardians: the Owls of Ga'hoole is an epic story of good and evil, bravery, betrayal and of doing what's right.



Briefly, the story centers around Soren, a young barn owl living in the forest of Tyto, who is enraptured with the tales his father tells of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, the great warriors and protectors of the owl world who have passed into legend. When Soren and his brother Kludd are kidnapped and taken to a deep canyon where young owls are being "moon-blinked" into mindless slavery by the evil "Pure Ones", Soren escapes with another young owl and sets out to find the Guardians and plead for their help. Once they find the Guardians, a rescue is planned and the film climaxes with a soaring aerial battle between the Guardians and the "Pure Ones".



The plot is not new. Fans of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, among others, will recognize many of the story elements and several of the characters common to films and books based on the classic "Hero's Journey". So, the question becomes - have the filmmakers made this hero's journey one worth seeing?



For me, the answer is "Yes". And that "yes" comes, in no small part, from how the film looks.



Legend of the Guardians is so completely spectacular to look at that I found myself able to ignore some of the issues with the plotting and the script and just sit back and drown in the visual feast. (Note: I saw it in IMAX 3D and again in 2D the weekend it opened.) The "scenery" throughout the entire film is jaw-droppingly gorgeous and the animation superb. The flying sequences - and there are many - soar and sweep and managed to take my breath away over and over. I wish all animated films could be this beautiful and exciting to look at.



Parents should be aware, though, that "animated" in this case does not translate into "kiddie-show". While there are moments of warmth and companionship and a few humorous bits, the film has a number of violent scenes and an overall intensity that might frighten or lessen the enjoyment of the under 8 crowd. I do believe that some of that intensity may well be lessened when LOTG is viewed on home screens and I'll also volunteer that my just under 8 year old granddaughter LOVED this film and didn't seem to find it too intense at all. So my age guesstimate might be a bit off. Since parents always know their own children and what they can handle far better than any reviewers do anyway, I offer the "8 and over" as a sort of jumping off point. :)



For my granddaughter and me, this film was a winner and I'm looking forward to seeing it again when the DVD is released. While the plot may be rather familiar, IMO it avoided coming across as tired or trite. That, along with the stunning look of the film, makes it easy for me to recommend it. And I do, happily.



A few notes:

* There are a lot of characters with unusual names. Unless viewers (kids OR adults) have read the books, they're probably not going to catch or remember them all in a first viewing.

* There are a few instances where the dialogue is difficult to understand.

* Even after seeing the film twice, I wasn't quite certain exactly what the bits of metal and the arcing light rays were doing. I settled for "something bad".

* The score suits the film. In parts it incorporates the human voice, as Lord of the Rings did, to effectively evoke an emotional response in the viewer.

* On the other hand, the song "To the Sky" (credited to "Owl City" on the soundtrack CD) was, IMO, the film's most glaring misstep. The chipper tune felt so out of place it actually made me cringe.

Posted on January 22, 2011

Annalee Sephton says...

My nine-year-old son and I read all fifteen books in this series together, and we're huge fans.My son's friend, also nine, hasn't read the books, but likes action - adventure.Both boys loved the movie.My son likes the books better but was happy with the adaptation and thought it preserved most of his favorite elements of the first books.His friend thought the story was very exciting and is talking now about reading the books.Both of them loved the animation, which is absolutely gorgeous.The rendering of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, the home of the Guardians, was beautifully detailed and very much as my son had imagined the tree.



Briefly, without spoiling the plot, Soren, a young barn owl finds himself in the clutches of a group of owls who are planning to defeat the forces of good in the owl kingdom and enslave everyone else.Soren and his friend Gylfie escape and seek help stopping the evil owls.The movie addresses issues of what is real, what is right, and who is family.



There is significant owl-to-owl violence, but the gore is kept to a minimum, and the difficult themes are much softened from the way they are portrayed in the books.If you are a fan of the books, I think you will enjoy this adaptation, which is both very faithful to the spirit of the books and fresh enough not to be merely a visual recap of the stories you have already read.There are new takes on a couple of the main characters and some comforting surprises.



The door is left open to a sequel, but the movie stands very well on its own.

Posted on January 28, 2011