OK for kids 8+
Sweeping owl fantasy adventure is impressive but intense.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this 3-D adaptation of Kathryn Lasky's best-selling Legend of the Guardians books is more intense and violent than most animated adventures -- even though the characters are all owls. The movie focuses on the conflict between a group of owls that considers themselves a master race entitled to enslave "lower species" of owls and the Guardians, a hidden group of warriors that fights to defend all owls from evil. With such a heavy plot and many action-packed battle sequences, this isn't age-appropriate for all young children. But kids old enough to read the books and mature enough to handle the themes will benefit from the movie's message that all owls (and therefore people) are worthy, not just those whom one group thinks are better than the rest. Note: The 3-D factor makes many of the movie's battle/fight scenes much more intense.
- Families can talk about the movie's overall message about owl equality. How does that translate into human culture? Is it ever right for a group to decide that they should be served by others?
- How does the movie's violence compare to that in other animated movies you've seen? Is it more or less scary because the characters are animals? Why?
- For kids who've read the books, how does the movie compare? Were the changes understandable, or did they impact how much you enjoyed the movie?
- How does Soren's journey remind you of other cinematic heroes, like Frodo, the Pevensie children, or even Harry Potter?
The good stuff
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Educational value: Kids will learn the importance of listening to historical stories and legends, as well as treating others like you'd want to be treated, regardless of their background. Obedience is called into question if it's to a suspect authority, so children may realize that it's sometimes the right thing to act against the rules. Kids interested in nature and animals will learn about a few different species of owls, particularly the Tyto and elf owl -- that they're nocturnal, live in different habitats, and expel pellets of their undigested food.
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Messages: The movie's overall messages are positive, with the primary take-away being that believing in your dreams is what makes you strong and focused. Another positive message includes the idea that family and friends are more important than the promise of power and strength. The movie also demonstrates the power of myths, defending others, and and standing up to evil. The evil owls are very "species-ist" and think that other owl species are sub-par and meant to be enslaved -- but the Guardians see the worth and contribution of all owls.
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Role models: Soren is a strong positive role model: He's kind, selfless, and brave. He cares for his friends and family and believes the best of everyone. Gylfie is small but willing to fly away with Soren and later acts bravely despite her diminutive size. Ezylryb sagely explains that war isn't pretty and glorious -- that it's ugly and horrible and should be avoided if possible.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Lots of animated violence, confrontations, and battles. The scenes with owl-to-owl combat are dark and often feature extreme slow-motion close-ups. Several owls die -- one falls into fire, and others are killed during combat. It's obvious that the owls are dead or injured, even if there's no blood. The 3-D makes the violence much more intense.
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Sexy stuff: A young male owl flirts with a female owl, and married owls embrace a couple of times.
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Language: "Hell," plus some insulting, demeaning language about other owls, like "you're weak," "soft," "old," "what a waste," etc.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
2
DON'T BE FOOLED BY OUTSTANDING GRAPHICS: TOO INTENSE FOR CHILDREN by snorkydoodle61
ATTENTION: If you plan on taking the little ones to see this "Owl Cartoon", DON'T. Yes it is from the makers of "Happy Feet", however, it is definitely NOT like Happy Feet. It is sinister, dreary, and downright scary...From mean spirited owls to baby owls coughing up dead mice pellets. This is NOT a family movie to bring children under 12 to! My 3 yr old granddaughter kept asking why the owls were so "mean" and "when are they going to sing and dance?". Because the movie promoted itself as a production from the makers of "Happy Feet", we expected a joyous adventure. What we got was a wonderful artistry of blow-yer-mind graphics involving the kidnapping of young owlets thrown into a concentration camp to pick at dead mice pellets amid dark and dreary scenery. It was more like Lord of the Ring meets artists of Happy Feet. After the scene where the helpless bluebird is captured by the throat, we exited the theater and I demanded a refund. A film much too intense for little ones.
4
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole by incineraptor
The CGI renderings are phenomenal: you can see every nuance of feathers, every vein in the leaves of the trees. Go see the movie for a beautiful visual experience.
I had 2 problems with the movie: 1) I couldn't understand moments of dialogue, due to the British (or maybe Aussie) accents of the actors.
2) The movie had pacing problems: for instance, the owlets' capture was a scene that lost my interest early in the movie, because the scene dragged on too long to make its point: yeah, these are cute owlets. Yeah, they're in big danger. . .
Several scenes involving Twilight's singing were also slow.
I never understood the purpose of the Snake (Mrs. P). After the owlets were captured, Mrs. P didn't contribute plot-wise to the movie, and yet she was hauled around by the owls as they flew over the ocean. Whatever for? 'Course, the "Mrs. P problem" may have been a plot failing in the book, and the movie was just trying to stay "true" to the author's original story.
3
not for smaller kids by cbrvfr
Honestly, are we so desensitized to violence that it's ok to put metal claws on birds and hack their enemies, impale them on sticks, burn them etc.? Overall, a visually stunning move and enjoyable. But NOT for little kids!
5
Five Word Review by craZcatladi
owls that cant act cats
5
Great Movie for the whole family! by LadyJedi78
I loved this movie, I haven't read the books, so I'm unsure whether the movie is an accurate portrayal of characters and events but I thought the story was compelling. They managed to get some great actors to do voice work for the Owls. Hugo Weaving was a favorite I loved him as Da and Grimble. Now I must talk about the CG work, by far I haven't seen better, the feathers and eyes, very detailed and impressive, I'm no expert but I've watched enough behind the scenes documentaries to understand how much time and effort goes into the whole CG process, and this movie was so well done I forgot I was watching a movie, i felt like I was a part of the story. (No i didn't see it in 3D either)
I really enjoyed this movie, I'm an adult and I think it would be enjoyable for the whole family, though the very young (about 3 and under) may get startled with the mid-flight battle, and the evil owl.
Lady Jedi
3
Owls by hiltongrl05
Great graphics but i personally don't think this movie is right for kids under 8.
3
The Owls of Ga'Hoole by Giakat
a little slow start, but the story of good vs evil, played well to a younger audience.. A battle of heart and right versus anger and wrong choices.. How believeing you are second best can allow the darkness to consume to where you turn on family and friends..
5
A critic from the viewer. by WTF13
I am probably the age this is set for (11-13)and I thought it was absolutley amazing! I mean I have never been an effects person but the plot was cute and well thought out. That's the way ti always is with movies that were first books. The Christian element was settle but strong which I liked. It's one of those movies where the adults get it and the kids think the owls are cool. I am still shocked about how the critics poo pooed on it I was for sure this would be the next Lion King but you never know what goes on in other people minds.
4
Great teacher about human nature. by Heropwr123
It was a serious subject wrapped up in beautiful animation. It reminded me of Hitler and the 3 Reich without really pointing out any particular time in history. A great movie for learning and education children about those who seek to control. I would not show it to a child under 8 years old, could be scary, but the animation is beautiful.
5
Beautiful Movie by pchoench
My husband and I were attracted to the Owls of Ga'Hoole when we saw the preview. We both love great art and rich color, and this movie has lots of both, all the way through the end credits. It also has a very interesting story line, which can keep your attention throughout the movie. I recommend this movie for families as well as for people who appreciate really good animation. The bottom line of this story: You can do anything if you only believe.