""Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole" is a film that takes full advantage of its medium. The microscopic attention to detail is also as evident in this film as it was in Avatar. Owls fly in thunder and lightning, so close and full of life that you can see the trail a single raindrop leaves in their feathers. The visuals play such a key role in the film that it wouldn’t be half as entertaining if someone other than Zack Snyder ("300 and "Watchmen") directed it in 3D.

"As for the plot? Imagine Harry Potter, but with owls.

"The story begins with Soren (Jim Sturgess, "21") a young owl, narrating a fairy tale about The Guardians battling the evil Metalbeak, an owl who wishes to rule the owl kingdoms with an army of "pure owls" at his side. The Guardians defeated Metalbeak in a great battle, but now that time has passed, only stories remain to tell of the battle.

"Soren is kidnapped by Metalbeak’s henchmen and finds an ally in the small but brave Gylfie (Emily Barclay).With the help of Grimble (Hugo Weaving, "The Matrix") (whose backstory foreshadows the darker elements of this PG-rated children’s tale) they learn to fly and with his sacrifice, they escape.

"Between the storyline and the action scenes (no blood, but plenty of shiny talon-friendly weapons) the final battle relieves the tension that’s been building throughout this story. However, the conclusion of the final battle doesn’t mean that the end you see is really the end of the "Legends" franchise. The movie hints at a sequel in the closing scenes.

"Rating: 4 out of 5