Incredible.

A few weeks ago, after a great week of school, I took the kids to see a movie at the "cheap" theatre.  They had wanted to see the "Owl Movie" (Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole) ever since they'd seen the previews this summer, and I didn't give it a second look.  But, on this day, it was at the $3 theatre, and a quick online review check didn't reveal anything that would keep us from going, so, we went for it.  My kids were thrilled.

I admit.  I had very low expectations.  Children's movies almost always disappoint.  They scrape up weak stories with cliche "messages" thrown in at the end, they toss around gross humor and ridiculous catch phrases, and in general, they're just not typically well-done. 

This movie was incredible.  Not only was it visually gorgeous, but the story arc was so strong, I left the dark theatre completely impressed.  Absolutely no corners were cut in the making of this film.  It's an adaptation from the books by Kathryn Lasky, and, no doubt the movie can contain only a fraction of the details of the series- but it does well to maintain the core themes, from what I've read.  It is a bit intense for very young children- Hudson is 3 and did OK, but some kids won't.  It's not an easy movie- it's full-bodied and quite mature.  It's a bit like Narnia meets Lord of the Rings, meets Slumdog Millionaire, meets... Owls.

Like I said, I was amazed by this movie.  My kids loved it.  As we loaded into the van, Grace looked thoughtful.  I asked her what she was thinking, and she just shrugged me off a bit.  Then 30 seconds later, from the back seat she said, "Mom.... I feel kind of ...strong from that movie."  And we had an incredible discussion all the way home. 

Why did it get to her heart?  The oath of the Guardians- and the heart of this film- is so incredible.
Mend the broken.  Make strong the weak.  Vanquish evil.