Timblelog

Sep 02

I saw an advanced screening of Legend of the Guardians today. It opens Sept. 24.

It’s one hot, muddled mess. Visually, it’s pretty impressive. There are lots of “aw, purdy” landscape shots and a multitude of distracting, throw-stuff-at-you 3D moments.

I realize the film was adapted from a popular book series but the screenplay is all over the place and predictable. New characters arrive, do something for two seconds and are then forgotten about.

It’s your trademark “hero’s journey” tale. The kid owl is the chosen one who must fulfill his destiny to beat the evil, dark owl with metal prostheses.

Oh yeah, these characters are all owls. Granted there are various owl species but they are freaking hard to keep separate. Is that owl in a metal mask good or bad? The answer: both.

Distilling it down to its essence, this film is Star Wars but with owls and boring.