When you were a child and you believed in that magic and fairyfolk, you probably wondered if Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny knew each other. Was there a clubhouse full of folklore, myth and fantasy characters hanging out together? In the animated feature Rise of the Guardians we finally get the answer to that childlike question. Based on the novel series by William Joyce, Rise of the Guardians is where we take our most beloved childhood characters and put them in a fight for our children’s safety against the dark forces that would do them harm. This is the newest release from DreamWorks Animation for the holiday season, and it’s nothing short of sheer wonder, magic and great family enjoyment for all.
The story follows our protagonist Jack Frost as he has been invited to become a Guardian to help protect the world’s children from evil. Jack, not really sure why he’s been asked to join, suddenly finds himself at the center of a great adventure. With the help of North (Santa Claus), Bunnymund (Easter Bunny), Tooth (Tooth Fairy), and Sandy (The Sandman), they come together to fight Pitch (The Boogyman), who is plaguing our children’s nightmares as darkness takes over the world.
The movie is a striking and beautifully animated motion picture that is so unique in both tone and content. The characters are larger than life and wonderful. You can see why children believe in them here. Each Guardian brings his or her own humor, style, and sense of honor to the movie. From North’s wide-eyed amusement at everything he sees and touches to Bunny’s love of the rebirth every year at spring, each character is fully three-dimensional, never questioning why they make the choices they make. Plenty of time was spent making sure these characters were done right, and it shows in the final piece.
The look and feel of a character is just one thing, but making them come to life requires the addition of a great actor to play the voice. Each and every actor and actress that voiced in this film really out did themselves. Jude Law as Pitch oozes evil with every line and insult. Alec Baldwin (North) and Bunny (Hugh Jackman) both bring such command to their voice you feel as if you’d join the army to help them fight. Just as Isla Fisher (Tooth) and Chris Pine (Jack Frost) bring humor with a sympathetic tone that makes each child they help feel safe.
DreamWorks Animation has done an outstanding job of crafting compelling and engaging characters that live in amazing locations that are lush with colors, textures, lighting, designs and effects to make this fantasy come to animated life. This is a beautiful movie. The 3D effects help you feel as if you have been immersed into a winter wonderland or on an egg filled fantasy island. Basically the kids are gonna lose their little minds.
Rise of the Guardians is fantastic. It’s a heart-warming yet clever tale about the importance of belief and the banishment of fear. Not only is the movie funny, thrilling, and beautifully rendered, but it also tells a touching story that anyone of any age can relate to.