With each film director Zack Snyder makes, he improves on his style and structure, and he dives deeper into the emotional core that drives his stories. And Legend of the Guardians is easily his sharpest film yet.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack)
Directors: Zack Snyder
Producers: Various
Writers: John Orloff (screenplay) and Emil Stern (screenplay) Kathryn Lasky (novels "Guardians of Ga'Hoole")
Features: VIDEO: 2.40:1 widescreen AVC codec. BD50 disc. *** AUDIO: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 *** SPECIAL FEATURES: Maximum Kids Mode, Music Video, Interactive Games, True Guardians Featurette, Looney Tunes short, Artwork Galleries, Rise of the Guardians Featurette, DVD/Digital Copy
Characters:
Emily Barclay ... Gylfie (voice)
Abbie Cornish ... Otulissa (voice)
Essie Davis ... Marella (voice)
Adrienne DeFaria ... Eglantine (voice)
Joel Edgerton ... Metalbeak (voice)
Deborra-Lee Furness ... Barran (voice)
Sacha Horler ... Strix Struma (voice)
Bill Hunter ... Bubo (voice)
Ryan Kwanten ... Kludd (voice)
Anthony LaPaglia ... Twilight (voice)
Miriam Margolyes ... Mrs. Plithiver (voice)
Helen Mirren ... Nyra (voice)
Genre: Animation
Review:
Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 12/17! http://bit.ly/LOTGfb
THE FILM:
Zack Snyder's "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" is a flawed, but entertaining little film. On one hand, the film is a bit tiresome, with an somewhat lax episodic pace and soothing voice work that almost makes you feel as though you're listening to an audiobook.
At other times, though, the film is an exciting, dark, breath of fresh air -- an adventure/fantasy story geared for the kids. The film doesn't treat it's audience like their kids though. "Guardians" is a rough and tumble adventure, and there's real consequences to the battles and arguments that happen within it's walls.
For those unaware, the film details a young owl who quests to find the "Owls of Ga'Hoole," a mysterious race of owl tasked with defending their culture. Sure, the film is following a well-worn template, but what isn't these days. Director Zack Snyder ("Watchmen") crafts a dazzling adventure rich with some of the finest 3D CG animation I've ever seen. And Snyder makes great use of his usual cinematic trappings/flaws as a filmmaker. Slow mo shots are used during dramatic scenes. Debris flies around during appropriate moments. And the film's bleak tone is offset by the film's bumbling humor.
Yes, "Legend of the Guardians" isn't the great animated film. And yes, it's a bit contextually dark at times. But the film is also emotionally rewarding and entertaining through-and-through. If you love the rough-and-the-edges, darker aspirations of classic '80s adventure/fantasy films like "The Dark Crystal," "The Neverending Story" or "The Secret of NIMH," you'll get a serious kick out of this movie.
Film Report Card:
Entertainment Value: B+
Film Value: B+
FINAL Grade:
B+
THE BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE:
Here's a clip from the film:
Warner brings "Legends" to Blu-ray using the AVC codec for video and DTS-HD 5.1 MA for the audio. The results are positively spectacular. There's not a single moment in either the audio or video presentation that falters. This, folks, is a reference presentation worthy of demoing to friends and family.
Extras include a few fun interactive games, a delightful Maximum Kids Mode child-orientated making-of PiP track, a few fun featurettes about owls, a music video, four artwork galleries and a Looney Tunes short.
Disc two is a combo disc featuring a DVD copy of the film as well as a Digital Copy. Both, naturally, are presented in standard definition.
Final Thoughts:
A dazzling action/adventure in the spirit of classic '80s efforts like "The Dark Crystal," "The Neverending Story" or "The Secret of NIMH." The Blu-ray is just beautiful, too. Give this disc a spin!
BD Report Card:
Video: A+
Audio: A+
Extras: D
HD Content: B
Packaging: A
Recommendation: Buy the Blu-ray!
***
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----R. L. Shaffer