Brad Reviews “Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole”

Does it soar?

Last weekend I took my 6 year old daughter and her friend to see Legends of the Guardians the new animated movie. Directed by Zack Snyder who has brought us great visual movies such as; “300”, and “WatchMen” Legends is based off the first three books written by Kathryn Lasky. I have not read this books and to tell you the truth I don’t know if I will after seeing the film.

First before I tackle the story let me tell you about the CGI. The work is done by Animal Logic,the company that made penguins dance in “Happy Feet”. With Legends they go way beyond a few wise old owls dancing or cocking their heads back and forth to music. The Owls Animal Logic brings to us in 3D move with all the details of nature, I felt as if I was watch “Planet Earth” in 3D. They have also brought human emotions across the faces of owls a Bird in the wild who would never really have an emotion on their face.

Now to the bad news. The plot (not to give much away) centers on Soren (Jim Sturgess) and Kludd (Ryan Kwanten), two barn owls who grew up with tales of the Guardians of Ga’hoole, a mythical band of Arthurian owls who waged winged battle against a dark empire known as the Pure Ones. But then when the brothers near maturity, they are kidnapped from their parents by the Pure Ones. Soren is pressed into slavery while Kludd becomes one of the Pure Ones’ most promising fighters under Nyra (Helen Mirren). Once Soren and elf owl Gylfie (Emily Barclay) stage an escape, they must find their way to Ga’hoole, where they can join the Guardians in an epic battle against the Pure Ones. The Pure Ones remind me of an Owl Nazi state.I won’t go into great detail, but the main problem with the plot is you couldn’t tell which owl was which when they were ready for battle. All the owls are wearing helmets. I only really enjoyed one character in the movie was Digger(David Wenham) .

How does the Battle end? Do the Brothers Fight Each other? Wait for DVD to find out.

This is the first time my daughter has ever wanted to leave a Movie early. Her and her friend from 15 minutes in asked me when it was over repeatedly. My wife even left with them before the movie was over. The CGI is some of the best I have ever seen, but Zack Snyder never gets his Talons into the story or plot. I don’t blame Snyder for this, I blame who ever thought these books would make a good animated film.

Buckeye Brad gives this movie a D if it weren’t for the great animation It would be an F. Not a great movie for kids either, maybe kids over the age of 10 would enjoy it, but they would even see how lame the plot is.

As I do with all kids movies I review I give you a kids perspective. Addy(my daughter) told me she never wants to see it again. She also doesn’t like owls because they kidnap other Owls. She also asked me what was lower than a F. Does not look good for kids movies in theaters this week. If you have Daughters go rent the New TinkerBell Movie Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue.