LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS - OWLS OF GA'HOOLE (REVIEW)
Rated
P.G 90 mins
VOICE CAST. David Wenham, Hugo Weaving, Emilie DeRavin, Helen
Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Ryan Kwanten, Abbie Cornish
Just in
time for the school holidays, this family friendly adventure is sure to keep all
ages amused. Although ear plugs may be necessary as the sound throughout booms
overhead.
Based on a series of books from author Kathryn Lasky,
it's a tale involving Owls, a unique asymmetrical eyed bird we just don't see
enough of on the big screen anymore. Soren and his brother owl, Kludd, live relatively
peaceful lives in their homely wooden glen. They are raised by their wise old
father who often tells stories of the legendary warrior owls of Ga'Hoole. One
fateful evening, the pair are kidnapped by evil disfigured birds to incarcerate
them within an orphanage with plans to brainwash and make them slaves. The evil
birds have plans in harvesting a rare metal and intent of destroying anyone or
anything in their path.
Soren is not happy, Kludd also takes
a stand, so the duo who seem destined for greatness round up some help to fight
against the growing threat from the bad birds. The rag-tag team that Soren assembles
is like Sylvester Stallone's recent Expendable's, only an owl version. Sounds
different, it is. An array of odd personalities join the fray including an elf
owl and a double crossing librarian who may be well read, is in equal measure
aloof.
Although this film is a technical masterpiece using
visual composition better than I have seen for some time, it's unfortunately all
style over substance. The story gets more confusing as it goes, most of the characters
feel hollow, and by the time of the impending Braveheart style face off finale,
toddlers may have tuned out.
A confounding montage set to a
tween-friendly tune that seems slotted into the film hinders proceedings, slowing
momentum in the final stanza. Director Zack Snyder is no stranger to optical wonders
- he was behind groundbreaking effects epics '300' and 'Watchmen'. The latter
deemed un-filmable by multiple filmmakers before Snyder successfully took it on.
With a voice cast way too big to name that's full of mainly Australian and English
actors, mostly recognisable, they contribute a splendid effort to many of the
characters.
There's funny owls, quiet owls, tormented owls,
hero owls and of course wise old owls - an owl for everyone. The massive computer
effects without doubt dazzle, but something for this reviewer was lost in translation.
If not as memorable as it should be, it's at least highly entertaining.
Shane
A. Bassett
