Rise of the Guardians

             

         Growing up everyone believed in Santa Claus, or at least wanted to. Our parents did the best they could to keep that belief strong, doing whatever it took sometimes to make the stories true. There is a magic to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and all of the other figures that added to our childhood. Though, what if they all knew each other and their job was to protect children from the darkness that is out there.

         Everything in the world seems great, except Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin ) sees trouble in the form of a black cloud.  It is a figure from the past, long thought to have been contained.  Santa decides he must let the others know what he has seen, and sends out a single call to get everyone together. The group he calls on is called The Guardians; they consist of, Santa, The Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), and the silent Sandman. Together they protect the children, and they are needed as the Boogeyman is back and wants to fill the children’s world with darkness. His name is Pitch (Jude Law) and he is tired of not being believed in anymore, and is going to give the world proof he exists. The Guardians must add a new member to their group in order to defeat Pitch again, and that new member is Jack Frost (Chris Pine). The Guardians power comes from children believing in them and Pitch’s plan is to end that belief. Jack is not like the other Guardians, he too like Pitch is not believed in, and so kids do not see him. Jack doesn’t want to join The Guardians, he has always been a loner, but they cannot defeat Pitch without him. It is up to Jack to put aside his differences, so that children everywhere have something good to believe in.

        The idea that these mythical creatures exist has always been magic. The thought of them knowing each other and form a super group that protects children, now that is just plain cool. This idea was thought of by a simple question many parents have been asked by their children, “do they know each other?” Now if the movie could only be as good as the original idea. First time director Peter Ramsey does a good job, the problem seems to be in the writing. David Lindsay-Abaire just doesn’t add too much excitement to the story. Adapted from the novels by William Joyce, it just seems that the cinematic version just doesn’t deliver. I love the idea, but sometimes great ideas do not translate in the end. While the film’s story is lacking, the visuals are a treat, with some of the best 3D to date. Is that enough to make “Rise of the Guardians” watchable?  I wish I could say this movie was amazing as its original idea, but I can’t. What I can say is that your children will enjoy it, and if it keeps their beliefs in these characters with them for a little bit longer, then just for that, it is worth it.

Brian Taylor