Parents' Guide to

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Sweeping owl fantasy adventure is impressive but intense.

Movie PG 2010 91 minutes
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 9+

Based on 51 parent reviews

age 10+

Shockingly heartless

Shows parents joyful after the death of their son. Says words about the horror of war, but shows it only as noble and exciting.

This title has:

Too much violence
age 9+

Why this movie is trash.

I think this movie is terrible. Well, it's a great movie by itself, but if you have ever read the books like me, you think otherwise. The movie goes up to book three when there are thirty-one books. It leaves out most of characters from the books and most of the story line. But, that is all my opinion, I just thought some people might want to know this.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (51):
Kids say (62):

The collaboration between director Zack Snyder and Animal Logic, the Australian effects and animation company responsible for Happy Feet, has yielded a visually stunning animated film. Despite featuring animal characters, LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS will appeal to tweens and teens. With many 3-D movies, the glasses feel like an unnecessary accessory, but here the technology is used artistically and imaginatively. The extreme close-ups and slow-motion shots are impressive, as are the intense moments that focus on a single feather, an eye, a claw. It's stylized action reminiscent of Snyder's 300 -- without all the blood and gore.

Soren's story is compelling and original -- even as it will remind you of many other heroes' journeys. There are so many layers to the plot -- from sibling rivalry (Kladd stays behind) to hero worship (Geoffrey Rush plays the wise legendary warrior that Soren idolizes) to family loyalty to political intrigue. It's obvious from the movie's ending that the filmmakers would love to make more films in the series, which is always a gamble -- but this story is in-depth enough and the visuals so captivating that it wouldn't be unwelcome.

Movie Details

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