First Look: LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS

Jim here. Got a first look at LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIANS for you from Warner Bros courtesy of USA Today and the trailer from Yahoo.

I haven't gotten a good read on this movie yet. We know director Zack Snyder can make very decent movies (300, WATCHMEN, DAWN OF THE DEAD) but what can he do with a children's property? I think visually, the movie will be stunning (and the photos and trailer underscore this for me).

From USA TODAY: The film, based on the first three books of Kathryn Lasky's series, follows Soren (voiced by Jim Sturgess), a young barn owl who is kidnapped by the owls of the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls, or St. Aggie's. The academy is supposed to be an orphanage, but instead it brainwashes its pupils into becoming soldiers who will ultimately clash with the wise, peaceful owls of Ga'Hoole.

Though the series was aimed at young adults, adult and historical themes run throughout the books. In one book, a speech is based on a World War II speech by Winston Churchill. In two others, battles are based on the Normandy Invasion and the ancient Battle of Thermopylae (which happens to be the subject of GUARDIANS' director Snyder's 2007 smash 300.)

I like what I see so far but I am wondering how the 3D will look. I hope it is subtle. Could be magical to watch - especially for kids.

GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE Renamed *AND* New Titling For TANGLED

Jim here. Warner Bros has recently renamed GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE to LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS in what I think was an expected move. Let's face it, Ga'hoole is a strange word. I suppose Na'vi is too, but somehow I don't think GUARDIANS is going to impact our society quite like AVATAR has.

September 24 is still the release date however. The voice cast includes Hugo Weaving, Helen Mirren, Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Barclay, Abbie Cornish, Emilie de Ravin, Ryan Kwanten, Jay Laga'aia, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Roxburgh, Jim Sturgess and David Wenham.

*AND*

Here is the new titling for Disney's TANGLED which was formally known as RAPUNZEL.

The teaser trailer looks enticing and in S3D I think the whole thing will come alive and vibrant. Looking forward to it - although I liked the original name much better. I'm afraid the branding will suffer because of it.