Review of Rise of the Guardians (2012) by Christian S — 24 Sep 2013

No it's not a plot we haven't heard before... no that DOESN'T BLEEPIN MATTER!! I fricken loved this film... I heard the announcement I was rolling my eyes because I honestly don't feel all that comfy with the idea of Santa being an action hero.

Then when I saw the trailer I was flabbergasted. DREAMWORKS REEEEEALLY brought their A-Game here. The animation makes me tingle I mean lord look at just look at it!! There is not a single unlikeable character here and I love Jack Frost, best animated hero I've seen in a while, you could watch it any holiday.

Oh FYI... this is technically an Easter movie. Oh well.... I also find this interesting in how it was made. See this film is based on a series of books by William Joyce titled Guardians of Childhood; Joyce is the author of books A Day with Wilbur Robinson which was adapted into Disney's Meet the Robinsons, The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs which is being adapted into Blue Sky's upcoming Epic.

He also created Rolie Polie Olie and helped made Robots and won the 2012 academy award for his animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mister Morris Lessmore Apparently this guy tends to have some part in - if not complete creative control - in his works when adapted.

The thing that makes this interesting though is that this isn't a direct adaptation but a sequel to the books. My limited research shows that there are some broad strokes as the cast has gone through some design and characterization changes but it's mostly intact.

Also in a bit of a more somber note Joyce apparently had more of a role in the films preproduction but stepped down after his daughter (who the books were made for) passed away. My deepest respects. Anyway, this is very fascinating way to adapt something and I'm interested in reading this man's works.

I'm just going to close now by saying this, as the credits rolled my first thought was and I quote "Never has a movie done such a good job at both treating me like an adult and making me feel like a kid again.

I love this feeling. I want to feel it again.".