The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga' Hoole

When computer animation first started, the movie we had that was fully computerized was Toy Story. Pixar is the company that started it all. Since then they have made box office smash hit after another, they have broken records and won awards. It was because the advancement that other companies started this trend of making computerized movies rather then drawn cartoons.
Lately, though, there have been so many animated movies it is hard to keep count of them.
It used to be that when you made am animated movie, it was sure to make number at box office. That case has been not true these past few years. You have crappy movies that they make because companies make thinking that it will be make bank. So you have movies like the recently released Alpha and Omega and the soon to be released sequel to the ever dreadful Hoodwinked.
But , you still get great animated movies every once in awhile. One that was just released on Friday, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga' Hoole. This movie, based on books by Kathryn Lasky, was directed by Zack Snyder, who made famous by movies such as 300 and Watchmen, is one movie definitely stands to be a classic up there with Lion King and Toy Story.
When I first saw previews for this movie, I was hesitant to see it. I didn't really know anything about it, who was making it, nothing. Once I found out who was directing it, I became a little more interested. After seeing another preview, this time in theaters rather then online, I was way more intrigued.
So when it came out on Friday, I decided to go see it, but of course I had to see it in Imax 3D.
Let me just say that WOW! It is fantastic. Breathtaking. Jaw dropping. The cinematography is phenomenal and the details of the owls is phenomenal.
As I have earlier posted about 3D movies, to make a good 3D movie isn't what you can make seem pop out at you, but rather to give more depth to the movie that you are watching. When you throw 'tricks like that into a movie, you take away the magic of it, or when you film in 2D but transfer it to 3D just to cash in on the extra money, you also are taking the magic away. This is a animated movie that has a lot of depth to it. From the owls in flight, to the forest they live in, to the fighting, it is detailed in every way to perfection.
Not just the 3D and the detail of the animation is what makes the movie great, it is the story. I have never read the books, but I now have an interest to now. The thought of a movie or a book about owls that fight may seem absurd at first, but read into the story a little more than that, you will be impressed.
Overall, this movie is one that I highly recommend to see in theaters, especially in 3D, more so though in Imax; but if you don't feel like spending the money to see it in Imax, then you just stick to regular. As for the kids, remember, the guy behind 300 directed it, while there isn't any blood, there are some scary parts and owls fighting with metallic claws, so these scenes may get intense for smaller children or ones who can't handle some violence.