At first, director Zack Snyder, know for his R-rated features “Dawn of the Dead,” “300” and “Watchmen,” seems to be an odd choice for an animated children’s tale.

But after the film’s opening moments, with owls flying gracefully as the speed ramps up and slows down, perfectly in sync with the music and 3-D accompaniment, one can see the appeal the project had.

At its base, “Legend of the Guardians” is “Star Wars” distilled to 90 minutes and stuffed with high-fantasy pitting good vs. evil on both epic and intimate scales. Based on a popular book series, the film focuses on two brother owls: the wide-eyed Soren and the impressionable Kludd. After some establishing moments where we learn about the brothers’ dynamic, the pair become wrapped up in a conflict between the evil “Pure Ones” and the mythic “Guardians” in a struggle for control of the owl-world.

As “Guardians” rushes through the usual hero’s journey, there are no calm moments between the storm that are used to great effect in “Lord of the Rings” or “Bravehart.”  Each beat leads immediately to the next.

While this does make for a brisk narrative going a mile a minute, at times one wishes for a calm moment so we older viewers can catch our breath. Children, with their wandering attention spans and innate familiarity with the story, will be satisfied. Adults will have a harder time bridging the gap. Because of this, the film is never able to completely engage the adult mind, keeping it at the level of serviceable entertainment, but nothing to write home about.

What is incredible, though, are the visuals. The pleasure Snyder takes in the freedom animation lends him is palatable from the movie’s many action sequences and flight scenes. The camera zooms through action in complex ways with constant, perfectly timed speed ramps.

Kid’s film or not, Snyder injects the owl combat with edge and severity not usually seen in children’s film. The animation lends itself to the stylized violence Snyder enjoys, making it oddly thrilling entertainment. The animation is breathtaking, and between the gorgeous virtual photography and the rather sophisticated use of camera technique, this is one of the best-looking films of the year.

The 3-D techniques employed here are well worth the surcharge on the ticket price, matching the heights of “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Avatar.” There’s something inherently appealing about 3-D flight. It is simply exhilarating. While the flight in “Dragon” was more emotionally charged, the kinetic energy in “Guardians” is well worth seeing.

At best, “Legend of the Guardians” is going to be a gateway drug of sorts for small children that leads to fantasy epics like “Star Wars,” “Last Airbender” and “Lord of the Rings.” I can imagine a decade from now when young geeks and nerds cite “Guardians” as their first nerdy, earth-shattering experience. You can’t help but love it for that.

Grade: B