The Owl Guard

The Owl Guard is a 2014 computer animated CGI fantasy epic adventure comedy film directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Zack Snyder and George Miller, produced by Noam Murro and Christopher Nolan.

The film features Jim Sturgess, Jack Black, Patton Oswalt, Saoirse Ronan, Abbie Cornish, Richard E. Grant, Joel Edgerton, Elijah Wood, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, John Leguizamo, Peter Dinklage, J.K Simmons, Gary Oldman, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Kwanten, Anthony LaPaglia, Josh Gad and David Wenham voicing the characters in the movie while this set in Pre-Aboriginal Australia near America and Africa.

The movie was composed by Hans Zimmer, John Powell, James Newton Howard, Ilan Eshkeri and David Hirschfelder and Adam Young from Owl City.

Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. distributed the film with Australian companies Village Roadshow Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Animal Logic, the latter having produced visual effects for Happy Feet. Production took place in America, Australia, Antarctica, South Africa and Canada near London, and the film was released in 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D on October 25, 2013 in South Africa, November 15, 2013 in United Kingdom, January 17, 2014 in Australia and June 13, 2014 in United States.

The film grossed $140.1 million on a $80 million budget along with $259.5 million worldwide on a €38.5 million budget and received a review from film critics.

A sequel was announced in 2013, before the release of film.

Plot
A turtle named Oogway, is fighting with his former friend, Kuzimu, his enemy and the owl. The match needed with Oogway give him a second chance.

Soren, an owl who is a Tyto with his family. When Noctus, tells the story of Oogway's memory, Soren was amazed and excited of becoming an Owl Guard. The Owl Guard was a story of group of heroes.

One Day, Soren sees Oogway's imagery and despite Kludd's warnings, Soren went out to find heroes that become a group of warriors, leaving Kludd confused.

Soren find Oogway's voices rang in his head and find his spirit. Oogway told Soren that leader of The Owl Guardians was chosen and that leader was him. Soren saw something strange, it was a big fat panda named Po who makes friends with him.

The two group saw other friends and introduces to them, there leader is Soren and he was chosen by Oogway and The Soothsayer. The other gang were Talia, a human girl, Mumble, a penguin, Remy, a little rat, Bradley, a flamboyant ostrich and Artie, a human boy who makes friends with Talia.

Soren suggested that the six group will join on Soren's side. And the leader was corrected, they go on the journey. As they crossed the lands, they met Bryan the beach master and Soren introduces to him and the gang.

As the seven friends join the gang, the Warriors find a perfect spot, Mighty Eagle. Talia and Artie go look for a dragon, while Remy, Po, Bradley and Soren have fun in the lake. The Mighty Eagle pee on the lake, leaving the four disgusted and embrassed. The Mighty Eagle introduced to them and lead them to Oogway's past.

The gang arrived here,

Characters

 * Jim Sturgess as Soren, an Owl who found the Great Tree of Ga'Hoole and the leader of the Owl Guard.
 * Jack Black as Po, a panda who is the member of the Owl Guard. He's from the Kung Fu Panda movies.
 * Saoirse Ronan as Talia, a human girl who is the member of the Owl Guard. She's from Justin and the Knights of Valour. Sturgess and Ronan previously starred in The Way Back (2010).
 * Patton Oswalt as Remy, a rat who is a member of The Owl Guard. He's from Ratatouille.
 * Richard E. Grant as Bradley, a British flamboyant ostrich who is a member of The Owl Guard. He's from Khumba.
 * Justin Timberlake as Artie, a kid who is part of The Owl Guard. He is from Shrek the Third.
 * Ryan Kwanten as Kludd, Soren's brother.
 * Anthony LaPaglia as Twlight, a Great Gray Owl who is a friend of Digger and Gylfie.
 * David Wenham as Digger, a burrowing owl who is Soren's friends.
 * Elijah Wood as Mumble, a penguin who is the member of The Owl Guard. He's from Happy Feet.
 * Gary Oldman as Lord Shen, a peacock. He's the main villain of Kung Fu Panda 2.
 * Abbie Cornish as Otulissa, a short eared owl who is Soren's love interest.
 * Joel Edgeton as Scar Eyed Eagle, a main villain of The Owl Guard.
 * Hugo Weaving as Noctus, Soren, Kludd and Eglantine's father.
 * Hugo Weaving also voiced Grimble, a boreal owl.
 * Essie Davis as Marella, Soren, Kludd and Eglantine's mother.
 * Emma Thompson as Hedwig, an owl who is the member of the Ga'Hoole tree. She's from the Harry Potter films.
 * Miriam Margoyles as Mrs P also known as Mrs Plithiver, a blind snake and Soren's nursemaid.
 * Magda Suzbanski as Miss Viola, a penguin who is a beautiful teacher.
 * Josh Gad as Chuck, a bird who is a member of The Owl Guard. He's from The Angry Birds Movie.
 * Tom Hardy as Kuzimu, a bad tempered abusive long eared owl who betrayed the Guardians and The Owl Guard.
 * Richard Roxburgh as Boron, King of Ga'Hoole tree.
 * Deborra-Lee Furness as Barran, Queen of Ga'Hoole tree.
 * John Leguizamo as Alex, an alextornis who is a member of The Owl Guard.
 * Peter Dinklage as The Mighty Eagle, He's from The Angry Birds Movie.
 * Claudia Christian as Strix Struma, a short eared owl who is Boron's master and the member of guardians. Christian replaces Sacha Horler in the film.
 * Barry Humphries as Bubo, a great horned owl who serves as a blacksmith. Humphries replaced the late Bill Hunter in the film.
 * Cree Summer as Primrose, a Elf Owl who serves as Gylfie's friend.
 * Willem Dafoe as James, a long eared owl who is Boron's old friend.
 * Cate Blanchett as Madame Plonk, a Snow Owl who serves as choir.
 * Rodrigo Santoro as Dewalp, a burrowing owl.
 * Barry Otto as The Echidna, a mystic.
 * Randall Duk Kim as Grand Master Oogway, a turtle who appears in Soren's dream sequence in The Spirit Realm.
 * Danny McBride as Bomb, a bird who is the member of The Owl Guard, he's from The Angry Birds Movie.
 * Danny McBride also voiced Wolf Boss, Shen's wolf minion. He's from Kung Fu Panda 2.
 * Michael Fassbender as Vaygar, a minor member of The Ga'Hoole Tree.
 * Malin Åkerman as Azola, a female Spix macaw.
 * Rebel Wilson as Mei Mei, a panda who is a ribbon dancer. She is from Kung Fu Panda 3.
 * Richard Carter as Sir Roland, a old owl who is part of Ga'Hoole.
 * Leigh Whannell as Jatt, member of Ga'Hoole tree.
 * Angus Sampson as Jutt, member of Ga'Hoole tree.
 * Michelle Yeoh as Soothsayer, a fortune telling goat who tells the story of The Owl Guard.
 * Dan Fogler as Zeng, a palace goose from Jade Palace and Boron's current messenger.
 * Jennifer Aniston as Miss Milly, a snow white owl who is served Ga'Hoole as a teacher.
 * Charles Dennis as El Rico, a vulture.
 * Dennis Haysbert as Master Storming Ox, member of Gongmen City.
 * Jean-Claude Van Damme as Master Ferocious Croc, member of Gongmen City.
 * Geoffrey Rush as Ezylryb, a whiskered wise old screech owl who is Soren's mentor.
 * Geoffrey Rush also voices Nigel, a brown pelican who is a member of The Owl Guard and the Narrator, who tells the story of The Owl Guard.
 * Beyoncé Knowles as Queen Tara, a queen of Moonheaven in The Spirit Realm. She's from Epic.
 * Eric Bana as Zan, a bald eagle.
 * Eric Bana also voices Scratch, a vulture.
 * Ellen DeGeneres as Streak, a bald eagle and Zan's mate. She previously voiced Dory in Finding Nemo (2003).
 * Bruce Spence as Scarface, a vulture.
 * Jacqueline Obradors as Ellie, an Elf Owl who serves as a member of Ga'Hoole tree and Strix Struma's friend.
 * Stephen McHattie as Old Hawk, Soren's advisor.
 * Mona Marshall as Mrs. Hogensworth, waiter of the Ga'Hoole tree.

Production
In March 27, 2010, before the release of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole in September, the animators were announced to make The Owl Guard. In September 2011, the film was made in production and it was premiered on TIFF on January 2012.

Music
On December 2011, after working on Dr Seuss The Lorax and Ice Age: Continental Drift, John Powell provided the films score and Hans Zimmer also provided the films score in July 2011 after working on Kung Fu Panda 2. James Newton Howard, who offered not to return in The Dark Knight Rises, went to score the film as a composer in November 2011 when he previously collaborated with Zimmer in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Ilan Eshkeri and David Hirschfelder went to scored the project. Junkie XL composed as an additional composer when Zimmer, Powell, Newton Howard, Eshkeri and Hirschfelder all collaborated in the film.

Three tracks of a portion of the score including "Oogway Ascends", "Romantic Flight" and "The Boy Was Right" were all added in Soren's dream sequence were added in "The Dream of Sprits".

Chinese pop singer LuHan also recorded and promoted the song "Deep" for the movie and soundtrack.

Score

 * 1.Opening Credits Theme.
 * 2.Legend of The Owl Guard.
 * 3.Soren's story of The Owl Guard.
 * 4.Mysterious Stories.
 * 5.Epic Dreams and Warriors.
 * 6.Mystery Solved.
 * 7.The Legend of The Secret Spirit.
 * 8.Land of Mists/The Cycle of Life.
 * 9.Evil Plans.
 * 10.Wonderer Hero/The Chosen One.
 * 11.Shen Returns.
 * 12.The Mystery.
 * 13.Oogway's Memory.
 * 14.The Past.
 * 15.The Campfire/The Story/The Journey/The Cave.
 * 16.The Storm.
 * 17.The Secret Seas.
 * 18.The Ga'Hoole Tree/New Members.
 * 19.Glaux Needs You.
 * 20.The Dream Of Spirits.
 * 21.The General/Otulissa.
 * 22.Boron The King.
 * 23.Bravest Hero.
 * 24.Zan and Streak
 * 25.The Soothsayer.
 * 26.The Masters of Gongmen.
 * 27.Frozen Lands.
 * 28.Eagle's revenge with Vultures.
 * 29.El Rico.
 * 30.Team Of Bands.
 * 31.The Moonsoon.
 * 32.The story of The Owl Guard.
 * 33.The Battle Of The Ice Claws.
 * 34.The Legacy of Great Spirits.
 * 35.Remy's Idea.
 * 36.Soren Meets The General.
 * 37.In The Heavens.
 * 38.The Mystical Cavern.
 * 39.The Wonders Of Owls.
 * 40.Twilight and Digger's Idea.
 * 41.Ambush.
 * 42.The Raid In The Caverns.
 * 43.Soren's Stories/The Mysterious Island/The Sacred Pool Of Tears/The Trap.
 * 44.The Vultures Raid The Forest.
 * 45.Shen's Plan.
 * 46.Fly Inside.
 * 47.General Fights With Bats And Vultures/Oogway's Story.
 * 48.The Warning.
 * 49.Soren The Protector.
 * 50.Soren Meets The Echidna/Destiny Awaits/Courage For Birds/Oogway's Wisdom.
 * 51.Soren's Dream/The Spirit World/The Wonder Of Magic/The Mortal Heroes.
 * 52.Boron's Scouts.
 * 53.The Highest Ground/The Threat.
 * 54.Sharpen The Swords.
 * 55.There's An Ambush/The Vicious Trap/Soren's Destiny/Fly Into Disaster/Trust Your Gizzard/The Raid/Only The Strongest/The Battle/The Vicious Fight/Owl Guard Defended.
 * 56.Soren vs Kuzimu/You Did What Was Right.
 * 57.The Guardian Hero/The Celebration At The Tree.
 * 58.Soren's Dreams Come True.
 * 59.Closing Credits.

Notes The score was mixed by drums and other instruments inculding guitar and flute in the film.

DVD Release

 * The Owl Guard was released on Digital HD on April 4, 2014 before the films release and July 11, 2014 on DVD, Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D and Combo Pack, two and a half months after the film's release.

An Extended cut of the movie will released in September 2014 and it was rated PG as a mistake. It was also released on DVD and Blu-Ray in the UK, March 31, 2014, four months after the films release.

Sequels

 * A sequel of the film is called and announced The Owl Guard 2, The Owl Guard 3, The Owl Guard 4 and The Owl Guard 5.  The four sequels was released, one in 2015 and three of them in 2016, a Sixth sequel were released in 2017. The film franchise will be now called an "epic trilogy", like the Harry Potter franchise.

Trivia

 * At about 169 minutes, it is the first and longest animated full length feature film to date, the second is drama film Interstellar.
 * Sacha Horler was originally reprise her role as Strix Struma, but her role was dropped due to scheduling conflicts when she was working on The Dressmaker. So that Claudia Christian replaced her, who voiced Helga in Disney's animated feature film Atlantis: The Lost Empire in 2001.
 * This was the first speaking role of Primrose, Vaygar, Dewalp and Madame Plonk. They were all voiced by Cree Summer, who voiced Kida in Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Michael Fassbender, Rodrigo Santoro and Cate Blanchett. Santoro, Fassbender, McHattie and Wenham previously starred in Snyder's action film 300.
 * Junkie XL, who was additional composer, was going to score the rest of the soundtrack, but Hans Zimmer, John Powell and James Newton Howard compose the rest of the soundtrack while Ilan Eshkeri, David Hirschfelder and Junkie XL composed some of the score.
 * The blossoms that were in Soren's dream sequence were visual effects were created by Animal Logic.
 * Warner Bros. had released a special teaser trailer on January 25, 2013, before Beautiful Creatures was released.
 * When the film was released in China, Jackie Chan voiced Remy and Digger while Jaycee Chan, his son, voiced Kludd in the Chinese versions.
 * Because this film was rated PG, the word "damn" and "hell" was used 10 times.
 * Oogway's song is a portion of the score includes a melody from a song "Radioactive" by the rock band Imagine Dragons.
 * Most actors including, Jim Sturgess and Saoirse Ronan, Ryan Kwanten and Anthony LaPaglia and Jack Black and Richard E. Grant all recorded their lines together.
 * This was the first film to be shot in 3D and presented in digital widescreen footage.
 * In the UK, the film opened 568 screenings in cinemas and theaters along with USA and Australia. It also opened in theaters in London, Britain when the screenings were showings of the film.