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And the winner of the longest film title in current animation goes to Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole; the new fantasy adventure from 300 director Zack Snyder. This is a film that I am calling Lord of the Wings simply because it has much the same feel as the Tolkien stories. Based on the string of kid’s books this flick is more geared for them than the adults but the older viewers will take something from the visual beauty. We have come a long way in the 3D animation world and this one is stunningly artistic.   
 
When a young Owl and his siblings are kidnapped and enslaved by an evil owl that is creating a group of brainwashed soldiers he must find a way to escape, locate the fabled Guardians and convince them to come to the rescue. Along the way he meets new friends that join him in his quest. They must all rally together to do battle against the evil army and free the young imprisoned owls. 
 
The flight sequences are really breathtaking. The swooping and soaring are beautifully shot and developed. At times they will use slow motion and wide angles to give you a perfect look into the owl’s journey. Even the feathers look real and plush. It is as if you could reach out and touch their downy softness. The plot though is a little thin and takes a while to move into the meat of the story. Once it does it keeps a fast pace. The story line has a decent message of good versus evil and the importance of friendship, family and allegiance. Kids who have read the books will find it true to character. I in fact know one ten year old young lady who found it well worth the time 
 
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole is rated PG for some sequences of scary action. Some of the fight scenes are a little intense and the action might be a bit much for your first time movie goers. Also the close ups of the mean owls with their sharp beaks and talons are a far cry from Woodsy the Owl. I think your 10 and up family members will enjoy the film and the fact that it is only 90 minutes in length will get you out before the fidgeting starts. It gets a solid 3.5 out of 5 bedtime stories. The animation and artistic beauty deserve that at least. Sadly it could have used a bit more in the character and story realm. The slow moving moments early on and the need to rush through the plot later on keep it from being top notch. 
 
Matt Mungle
 
 

 
 
Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.