Director Zack Snyder has taken us to 480 B.C. Sparta and an alternate 1985 New York City, and now he’s taking us … to a sky full of talking owls? In a departure from the violent and gritty “300” and “Watchmen,” Snyder’s next movie is a journey through a mystical, animated land.
In “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole,” based on the novels by Kathryn Lasky, a young owl named Soren (Jim Sturgess) is transported the the sinister facility of St. Aggie’s. Essentially an orphange, St. Aggie’s is a place where young owls are brainwashed into becoming fighters.
Being forcibly bred as soldiers doesn’t sit well with Soren, who escapes with this friends to the island of Ga’Hoole. The island is supposedly home to a group of noble owls called the Guardians, who are entrusted with fighting the army forming at St. Aggie’s and restoring order to the kingdom. Even though they don’t have proof the Guardians are real, Soren and his friends make the harrowing journey to Ga’Hoole in hopes of saving the home they love.
This film is certainly a change of pace for Snyder, but it looks like a moving, enchanting story and the animation is simply stunning. Even if the story were to end up falling flat, I’d gladly see the movie just to watch the gorgeous imagery. The star-studded cast also includes Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Sam Neil, Anthony LaPaglia, Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish and Ryan Kwanten.
“Legend of the Guardians” soars into theaters Sept. 24.
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I am really excited for this one, you take Snyder’s visual style for action and combined it with Grade A visual effects and this is his first movie for families! From what Ive seen so far I really think this could be the next “How to Train Your Dragon”, Im soo happy that i get to screen it tomorrow!
I’m going to see this tonight. Can’t wait!