Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

2010

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Critics Consensus

Legend of the Guardians' dark tone and dazzling visuals are to be admired, even if they're ultimately let down by a story that never lives up to its full potential.

51%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 130

63%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 70,748
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Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Photos

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Movie Info

Acclaimed filmmaker Zack Snyder makes his animation debut with the fantasy family adventure "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" based on the beloved Guardians of Ga'Hoole books by Kathryn Lasky. The film follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga' Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, scoffs at the notion, and yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father's favor from his younger sibling. But Kludd's jealousy has terrible consequences--causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls. Together they soar across the sea and through the mist to find the Great Tree, home of the legendary Guardians--Soren's only hope of defeating the Pure Ones and saving the owl kingdoms. -- (C) Warner Bros

Cast

Abbie Cornish
as Otulissa
Miriam Margolyes
as Mrs. Plithiver
Helen Mirren
as Nyra
Sam Neill
as Allomere
Geoffrey Rush
as Ezylryb
Jim Sturgess
as Soren
Hugo Weaving
as Noctus/Grimble
Ryan Kwanten
as Kludd
Sacha Horler
as Strix Struma
Richard Roxburgh
as Boron
Deborra-Lee Furness
as Barran
Jay Laga'aia
Adrienne DeFaria
as Eglantine
David Wenham
as Digger
Emily Barclay
as Gylfie
Joel Edgerton
as Metal Beak
Essie Davis
as Marella
Angus Sampson
as Jutt
Leigh Whannell
as Jatt
Kathryn Lasky
Gareth Young
as Pete
Barry Otto
as Echidna
Emilie De Ravin
Bill Hunter
as Bubo
Anthony LaPaglia
as Twilight
James Evans
as Additional Voices
Amanda Bishop
as Additional Voices
Lelda Kapsis
as Additional Voices
John Xintavelonis
as Additional Voices
Trent Dalzell
as Additional Voices
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News & Interviews for Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

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Critic Reviews for Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

All Critics (130) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (64)

  • Ignore the overly wordy yet forgettable title and somewhat clunky plot, and get lost in the jaw-droppingly gorgeous scenery.

    July 24, 2019 | Full Review…

    Leslie Combemale

    Cinema Siren
    Top Critic

  • Undeniably beautiful, but when the story is this uninteresting and uninspired, no amount of spectacular visuals can make an audience, let alone one filled with restless youngsters, care.

    June 7, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Matthew Lucas

    The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
    Top Critic

  • With jeopardy at almost every turn, this is certainly no movie for toddlers.

    August 24, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Anna Smith

    Metro (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Of course, the three dimensional scenes are a real delight, and the film's cinematography is a thing of beauty. [Full review in Spanish]

    March 22, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Laura Hiros

    Rincón de cine
    Top Critic

  • First of all, the animation is nuts. The owls look like actual owls, only with emotions and jokes and magical warrior helmets. Secondly, all the cutest types of owl are included.

    August 29, 2017 | Full Review…

    Lindy West

    The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
    Top Critic

  • . . .the film employs a staggering array of British and Australian character actors. . .who bluster on about nobility and the savagery of war in plummy accents, then take to the skies, with razored claws to tear each other to shreds.

    August 22, 2017 | Full Review…

    Dorothy Woodend

    The Tyee (British Columbia)
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

  • Dec 18, 2017
    For a animation film about owls it was pretty good, Mostly down to Zack Snyders directing style, The voice cast wasn't nothing great and the story was very predictable but it had some fun action scenes done in classic Snyder slow motion style, I can't comment on the 3D as I watched the 2D version, The animation was amazing and really is the main reason to watch the film, The dark tone works well as there's very little humour which I found worked well, If you know Zack Snyder films you know what to expect so don't go into this expecting some shitty Disney song along because you will be disappointed.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 28, 2016
    While the film may lose much of it's story in translation, Legend of the Guardians is still a beautifully animated and surprisingly darker animated tale that isn't afraid to take risks - even if some of them don't work.
    Matthew M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 31, 2014
    If they put as much thought into the script as they did into the animation, this would be amazing.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • May 06, 2012
    Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole is a truly epic adventure and one of the most imaginative fantasy tales in recent years. After being kidnapped and imprisoned at a forced labor camp by an evil cabal of Owls, Soren escapes and seeks out the legendary Guardians in order to save the owl kingdom. The film has some impressive voice talents, including Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving, and Helen Mirren. Additionally, the animation is amazing; with a level of detail that is unparalleled by most animated films. And, the designs are exceptionally creative, making for a visually stunning aesthetic. With a brilliant artistic style and an epic story, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole is a compelling and thrilling adventure.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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