IHC Movie Reviews: Legend of the Guardians The Owls of Ga’Hoole

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is a family action/adventure animation directed by Zack Snyder.  I’d been waiting to see this movie since I first saw the trailer in theatres.  Cute owls in 3D wearing armor and helmets based on a novel series; it’s my kind of thing. However, the story is not the strong point of this film. The visuals are astounding, the 3D effects mesmerizing and the voice acting superb but the development in plot is lacking. 

The story follows Soren (Jim Sturgess) and his brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten) as they get taken away from their family to a slave camp run by the Pure Ones led by the main antagonist Metalbeak (Joel Edgerton) and his mate Nyra (Helen Mirren). Metalbeak has been stealing owls and brainwashing them to use them in his plan to take over the world. After Kludd joins the Pure Ones, Soren escapes to find the legendary Guardians of Ga’Hoole: a group of warrior owls who keep the peace and defeated Metalbeak in the past.  On his journey, he meets other owls who help him find his way and become his surrogate family until he can stop Metalbeak. 

Fig. 1. An owl

The story is loosely based on the first three books from the series Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky. Lasky was contracted to write the adapted screenplay but was eventually dropped and this may have affected the overall feel of the film.  

It feels slightly disjointed, probably due to the fact that it’s three books jammed into one plot.  It seems like a movie about the journey, but as soon as Soren and the gang head off, a new conflict arises. There’s never any downtime before something else happens and the transitions are just too quick.  There’s little exposition about how this world works and since we’re not shown in any way, it leads to the conflicts feeling empty.  The experience is more about the action scenes and less about how and why the characters do what they’re doing. The characters are still enjoyable and play their parts well such as comedic relief from the crazy Digger (David Wenham) and the legendary hero type Ezylryb (Geoffry Rush), there just isn’t much depth past that. Of course the voice acting helps with character development. 

Fig. 2. More owls.

The voice acting is exactly that: acting. Never once did I see Helen Mirren or Hugo Weaving in the characters and I’m glad of it. The only complaint I’d have with sound is a horrible montage which used an Owl City song. It did not fit with the tone of the movie and took me out of the world for those few minutes. Luckily, the animation made up for it. 

Each owl is exquisitely modeled after their real life counterparts. There isn’t an over use of visual anthropomorphism which lends to the serious tone of the film and only made me appreciate the work that went into it.  The beauty is in the little things like the movement of their tongues, or the reflections in their eyes when speaking to one another.  The 3D aspect only enhances the film.  It isn’t used as a gimmick, but adds physical depth and realism to the scenes. 

Of course the fight scenes are in Zack Snyder’s signature slow motion style, but due to the owls looking similar, it’s quite helpful in identifying which one you’re rooting for.  There’s more slow motion with the opening shot following a beautifully 3D rendered feather and some cheesier moments with enya-esque music in the background while Soren is learning how to fly, but it all plays nicely with the majestic nature of flying and owls.

Fig. 3. A very cold owl.

If you love owls, 3D or slow motion this is the movie for you.  The dark tone and animation make it a visual treat for adults, but the overly crowded yet somehow empty storyline will leave you feeling slightly wanting.  I was entertained but it could have been a really good film in the right hands. I give it a 2.5/5 for just missing the mark on a few too many cues. A 3/5 if you really love owls.