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: 70,711
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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

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Cast

Jim Sturgess
as Soren
Ryan Kwanten
as Kludd
Richard Roxburgh
as Boron
Deborra-Lee Furness
as Barran
Adrienne DeFaria
as Eglantine
Geoffrey Rush
as Ezylryb
Sam Neill
as Allomere
Hugo Weaving
as Noctus/Grimble
Sacha Horler
as Strix Struma
David Wenham
as Digger
Emily Barclay
as Gylfie
Jay Laga'aia
Abbie Cornish
as Otulissa
Miriam Margolyes
as Mrs. Plithiver
Helen Mirren
as Nyra
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
Bill Hunter
as Bubo
Emilie De Ravin
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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Critic Reviews for Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

All Critics (130) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (64)

  • It's all very weird sometimes, but engaging: a nice half-term treat for younger children.

    Oct 21, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • There are a handful of soaring, immersive and at times beautiful fight-and-flight sequences which utilise 3D in the best imaginable way.

    Oct 20, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Tom Huddleston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • What might have come alive on the page feels oddly sterile on the screen, as everything is put right there before us in microscopically hypervivid detail and our imaginations are denied the power to soar to their own heights.

    Oct 20, 2010

    Anton Bitel

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • It takes a certain knack to make a film which has a sinister feel to it without being the least bit exciting but Snyder has done it with this one.

    Sep 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Sandra Hall

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • It might represent a new high-water mark in the gleaming precision digital technology can deliver, but the spectacle has a hard time not looking like a bad day in a chicken coop.

    Sep 28, 2010 | Rating: 2/5

    Jim Schembri

    The Age (Australia)
    Top Critic

  • A splendid adventure sure to thrill children and fantasy buffs, while leaving everyone else passably entertained.

    Sep 24, 2010 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Stephen Cole

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (130)

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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