Review of Rise of the Guardians (2012) by Jonathan L — 26 Jun 2014

Significantly better than I expected.

Let me start off by saying that I don't go into movies with a preconceived notion that it is going to be less than extraordinary. This is an issue that is becoming more and more predominant among non experienced movie reviewers who plague websites such as this. However, I didn't initially expect much from Rise of the Guardians. The trailers weren't entirely selling the movie in the way that the posters were. The idea of the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, the sandman, and the tooth fairy teaming up to fight a force of evil sounds more like an Avengers ripoff for kids. But it's surprisingly better than that.

Rise of the Guardians has a story to tell. At times it may feel too child like but there's plenty of surprising depth and even some satisfyingly chilling dark moments.

The story is as simple as this; Jack Frost (Chris Pine) is a troublemaking ice fairy who longs to have children believe in him. But when he is called to action by the guardians, Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), The Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and the Sandman, he is thrust into an age old battle against the evil boogeyman (Jude Law), who calls himself Pitch Black. Pitch and Jack have something in common though, he wants to be believed in too. So much so that he is willing to engulf the entire world in his own cloud of fear until every last child on earth feels his presence. It is now up to the guardians to stop Pitch from going forward with his evil plans.

It's a good story that doesn't try to over do itself with pop culture references or an over crowded script (looking at you Shrek 3). And the animation is spectacular! The best since How To Tain Your Dragon. The characters look and feel like they could exist in real life, particularly Jack Frost. The way he summons ice crystals is mesmerizing and his solo battles with Pitch are the highlights of the movie.

Rise of the Guardians will certainly entertain children and even adults will find something to enjoy here. Plenty to love for the child in all of us. I hope Dreamworks considers a sequel.

Check it out!