I loved this movie. It was inventive and the perfect amount of fantasy and reality with a wonderful message. It's a modern day fairytale without a "happily ever after" ending but instead a "happily ever after if choose to be grateful" ending.
I thought the intent and the story told was wonderful...some shots a work of art. But overall it was a very slow and boring movie to me that didn't have to be as long as it was. In other words, with about 45 minutes left in the movie I felt like 'Ok, I get the point.' I might recommend this to a friend - just depends on the friend and how high or low their ADD is.
I found this movie extremely slow paced and gross in its allegories - it was like Christian propaganda. If you are going to make a movie geared for children, with no blood on the swords and no visual points of entry of any weapon during battle, etc., then quit trying to go for 'Lord of the Rings'-like tone, feeling and length. Seriously, I don't know how you're going to get any kid to sit long enough to watch this. I couldn't do it and I'm 37.