Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Helen Mirren, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Geoffery Rush, Sam Neil



IMDB LINK

He said:

If I am completely honest I have very little to say about this film. It wasn't a terrible film, and the animation was absolutely stunning. I honestly think if the concept had been so far fetched, I might have almost convinced myself that this was a live action film instead of a computer generated one.

This film is a bit more violent than I thought was appropriate for a film aimed at an audience of pre adolescent children. This is a Zack Snyder film, and it has his signature on nearly every battle scene, of which there are many.

The real issue I have with this film is that though it had a fair amount of action, the pace never seemed to pick up. I don't think this is a bad film, it just really wasn't one that I enjoyed. I give this film {{{2 out of 5}}}

She said:

My views on this film are pretty similar to what James has already said. I felt myself a little disappointed at the end of the film that it didn't quite live up to expectations. I can't really place my finger on what the problem was but the makers just didn't quite pull it off. The story wasn't bad and gives scope for sequels but I think they tried to complicate something that should have been simple.

The animation was the film's saving grace. If you are a fan of the art behind computer animation then you will really appreciated this film. The owls were fantastic and, as James said, they were so lifelike they could have been the real thing. It is a marvel how animation has developed over the last 15 years - if you said to the creators of Toy Story back in 1995 to create a programme for owl feathers in torrential rain they would probably run away screaming.

I have to admit that I fell asleep during this film, which I don't often do. I am taking that as a sign it is a tad on the lengthy side. I wouldn't mind watching it again on DVD but I won't be rushing out to the shops to pre-order just yet. I give this film {{{2.5 out of 5}}}

They said:
We both agree that despite the fantastic artwork this film left us rather disinterested by the final frame. Probably worth a watch but not to be raved over, we give this film {{{4.5 out of 10}}}


Question time: Have you seen a film that left you feeling lukewarm recently? Tell us about it in the comments!

Daybreakers (director: Michael and Peter Spierig)

Watched: Jan 17th

Starring: Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman.

Internet Movie Database

She said:

I read somewhere that nearly half of the fiction sold last year was vampire related. That quote may or may not be true but we can all see that vampires are most definately 'in'. But this has a twist. I love the fact that vampires are the dominant species and that humans are the hunted. It makes a nice contrast to the usual 'vampires forced into hiding' plot.

However I have to say that despite a promosing premise the novelty of day being night and vice versa and everyone being a vampire from newsreaders to politicians wears off after a while. The lore, which is the best part about vampire stories, was intriguing but explained too fast. They hinted at a vampire outbreak caused by vampire bats but it is never explored fully... and not in the 'we like to keep you gussing way'.

Overall this film was enjoyable for the basic premise and the gore factor. Vampires like blood and apparently the film makers really do too! If you like to jump and have a laugh at some really graphic vampire action then go see it. I give this film <<<3 out of 5>>>

He said:

One of the most striking things about this film is the setting and set design, at one point I actually leaned over to Helen and remarked on the contrast of human refugee camp versus vampire establishments. Everything in the vampire enviroment was cold, metalic and generally unwelcoming and unforgiving, while being very modern and even practical.
Where as in the human stronghold there are dark earth tones and warm lighting and a general feeling of being protected if not safe. The majority of the human surroundings were furnished in wood and Iron. While the Vampires had the higher end technologies the humans had very solid and practical armament.
I am really not fond of a lot of the overly popular (read trendy) recent vampire inspirations (who in their right minds puts sparkling in the sun and vampires in the same concept?) At the same time I don't think that slapping sharp teeth on the 90210 (Vampire Diaries)demographic qualifies as authentic or viable either. I do however enjoy the Sookie Stackhouse True Blood series and still to this day love Whedon's brilliant Buffy and Angel series. I think this film falls somewhere deep in the middle of the two extremes.
If you are looking for a different approach at what is fast becoming a tired genre and don't mind a ridiculous amount of gore, you should see this film. I give it {{{{3.5 out of 5}}}}

They said:

If you are a fan of vampiric tales - and really who isn't - then give it a go. Despite not raving about the execution of the plot the twist really is clever with some interesting character conflicts. We give this film a combined rating of 6.5 out of a possible 10.