Zack Snyder, director of Watchmen and 300, turns his highly-stylised attention to an adptation of a series of children's novels about a group of heroic owls, Guardians of Ga'Hoole.
Soren (voiced by Jim Sturgess), a young barn owl, is kidnapped and taken to St. Aggie's, an orphanage where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers for the Pure Ones – a gang of evil birds led by Nyra (Helen Mirren). He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga'Hoole, to assist its noble, wise owls who fight the good fight against his captors.
The largely antipodean cast includes two Kiwis – Sam Neill and Emily Barclay.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
Lemony Snicket, The Vampire's Assistant, The Golden Compass. Hollywood has been searching for a franchise to replace a certain Mr Potter for a few years now and while all of the above were perfectly serviceable films, they didn't generate sufficient momentum at the box office to warrant further investment. With the most fully immersive 3D world since Avatar and an impressive vocal cast that boasts two Oscar winners, Guardians certainly looks and sounds the part.
But the fear generated by mixing cuddly animal leads and the director of 300 has come to pass. Although pitched as a family film, the story is more Dawn of the Dead than Happy Feet. Unrelentingly dark (it boasts a range of scary beasties to rival the Outback, while regurgitated mice are seen as comic relief), the plot mixes The Dark Crystal, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with disappointingly predictable results.
While the tale tells us that war is hell, director Snyder seems to revel in the battle scenes, overcooking the slo-mo choral-cry combo. It also could be the first salvo in this summer's Ashes battle or the Republican debate – Ocker-sounding owls are kidnapped by Brit-toned baddies and one of them pointedly says to Helen Mirren's character, “You're not my queen”.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
u sucks lollipops
This movie is the most awesome movie I've ever seen in 3D and the next movie i wanna see in 3D is Harry Potter and the dethly hollows part 1 and 2 yeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaar can't wait till the next time i come to reading cinemas the palms it's 1 of the best and worst cinema in the world Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
u should see it 3D this is the best movie ever u should all see it
LOVED THIS MOVIE SOOOO MUCH MUST SEE IN 3D
This picture sometimes rivals "Avatar" in its spectacular landscapes and thrilling flying sequences, but of course it won't come anywhere near those megagrosses, and it's too scary to be wholeheartedly embraced by children.
There's a confusion that you can sense as well, with the film pulled between its light and dark sides just as the owls struggle with forces of good and evil. That hesitation keeps "Guardians" from reaching the deep, emotionally rich center that confers greatness in the animation world.
The script is merely serviceable and too reminiscent of similar fantasy tales. But kids will instantly relate to the gentle Soren, while watching wide-eyed as he faces each challenge.
Legend of the Guardians may be a hoot, but for all its pyrotechnics, it fails to soar.
Though visually stunning and blessed with immaculate 3D work, film is fatally bogged down by tackling an essentially ridiculous premise (gladiator-attired owls fight genocide) with stony solemnity, and by subsisting on a note of sustained menace and terror in what is ostensibly a children's film.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Monday, 4th Oct 2010.
Release date: October 4th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
