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Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of the Ga'Hoole (2010)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

3 reviews

Synopsis

Zack Snyder follows up his take on Alan Moore's 'Watchmen' with a 3D animated adaptation of Kathryn Lasky's owl-based fantasy novel, 'Guardians of the Ga'Hoole'

Movie review

From Time Out London

To call this clunkily titled adventure movie Zack Snyder’s first foray into animation is misleading: after all, what was ‘300’ but a CG cartoon with some humans slotted in? Based on novels by Kathryn Lasky, ‘Legend of the Guardians’ adopts a standard fantasy-quest structure – bookish kid leaves home, battles baddies, learns lessons – the only difference being that, in this case, everyone is an owl.

Jim Sturgess is the voice of Soren, the heroic young barn owl kidnapped by evil queen Helen Mirren and her marauding band of pseudo-Nazi night-hunters, the Pure Ones. But it’s not long before Soren flies the coop, assembling a motley band of helpers and heading across the ocean in search of Ga’Hoole, home of the mythical Guardians. There’s too much story for 97 minutes, leaving much of the film feeling rushed and confusing. The script is overfamiliar and predictable, stuffed with daftly named supporting characters (the villain is called Metalbeak). And it doesn’t help that some aspects of this owl-oriented world feel slightly ridiculous. How do they make armour with those talons, let alone put it on?

But ‘Legend of the Guardians’ has its moments: thanks to the PG rating, the film provides little opportunity for Snyder to indulge his tiresome liking for bonecrunching violence while allowing him room to exercise his knack for action: there are a handful of soaring, immersive and at times beautiful fight-and-flight sequences which utilise 3D in the best imaginable way.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2096: October 21 – 27m 2010

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User reviews of this film

Brian said...

Posted on Nov 06 2010 10:50 was a bit of a waste of money and too much random wing flapping for 3D effect that at sometimes was good and other times just poor

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Ian said...

Posted on Oct 23 2010 18:03 OH dear oh dear. Lots of uneccesaary flying into the foregound to try to justify the extra for a 3d ticket.
Whilst at times stunning to look at this can't make up for a lame plot and a film full of every film cliche there is.
Look out for the numerous copies from Star Wars so many that I am amazed that George Lucs hasn't sued.
Visually a 3 star plot wise a no star. If you must go to see it go at a cut price bargain matinee ideally with small children who may love the view and not worry about the plot.
If you are stuck for a 3d film for half term to entertain kids choose Despicable Me. Much funnier and it also appeals to adults.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Oct 22 2010 23:29 A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. 6/10

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