From the outset, “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole” didn't look promising. The superficial Warner Bros. trailer failed to convey any story but that the movie included a few owls, followed by a large “In 3D” sign at the end.

Thus with Warner Bros. instilling these low expectations in potential moviegoers, those that braved to watch the movie took a large gamble, especially with inflated 3D ticket prices.

The adventure movie didn't do justice to the first book of American author Kathryn Lasky's fifteen-strong “Guardians of Ga'Hoole” book series.

Condensed to 90 minutes, the movie aimed for the family audience, and relied heavily on its terrific special effects to entertain these target viewers.

The story follows a young Soren (Jim Sturgess) in a classic good vs. evil battle with his brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten). When Soren and Kludd defy their parents and venture out of their nest, they are captured by the owls of the Pure Ones, lead by the evil Metalbeak (Joel Edgerton), long defeated by the good owls of the Guardians in the great war.

Soren takes the path of righteousness but his jealous brother betrays him and chooses to side with Metalbeak's mate Nyra (Helen Mirren), even though it nearly kills Soren and their younger sister Eglantine (Adrienne deFaria).

Metalbeak and Nyra are planning to conquer and enslave the west, by building an army from young Barn Owls, which they believe to be the Pure Ones, and superior to all. The Guardians, led by the wise Whiskered Screech owl Ezylryb (Geoffrey Rush), are unaware of the resurrection of the Pure Ones and Metalbeak, and decide to launch an attack.

“Legend of the Guardians” missed its mark. 90 minutes didn’t give adequate time for the movie to establish the characters or the movie’s plot, but “Guardians” should be given credit for its terrific 3D special effects.

“Guardians” suffers from a hard post-summer release date, when fall prime-time shows are premiering.

The movie lacks serious depth and has major plot flaws; its low production budget of $20 million suggests Warner Bros. didn't care too much about this picture.

Owl lovers (ardent ones), 3D zealots, and young kids will find the movie a “hoot” (couldn't resist), but all others are best-advised to stay clear.

Initial estimates puts the “Guardians” box office gross at $16 million this weekend, well behind the estimated $20 million for the Shia LaBeouf and Michael Douglas movie, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.”

To reach reporter Ken Van der Meeren, click here.