Film Review: Banal Story, Unique Visuals Define ‘Rise of the Guardians’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2012 - 6:41pm

CHICAGO – Okay, we get it. The current crop of animators can create amazing worlds, full of sensory-expanding images and visions of magical awe (and in 3D). But, if there is a dull story interacting with the eye candy, it can feel like a fancy cake that tastes like sawdust. Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher Jude Law and Hugh Jackman lend their voices to “Rise of the Guardians.”

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Adapting a book series, which used public domain characters like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost, Sandman and the Tooth Fairy as an avenging force against childhood fears sounds doable on the surface, but the film interpretation given this storyline was odd and ineffectual. There is a mean and scary villain, and at first he seems to have the upper hand on our heroes, but guess what happens in the end? Yep, it’s been seen and done before, there simply needs to be more originality in storytelling if this redundant parable is rendered again. The wonder in this film lies in its unique visuals, and it multiplies that look over and over, but the uninspired tale doesn’t do the overall presentation any favors as a result.

Jack Frost (voice of Chris Pine) has an image problem. Not enough people believe in his wintry legacy. This makes him invisible to the mortal coil, despite his ability to create the snow and ice that makes winter so much fun(?). Cut to the North Pole, where Santa (nicknamed “North,” voiced by Alec Baldwin) has a problem of his own. A darkness has invaded the earth, personified by the evil Pitch (Jude Law). The situation is so serious, North must call on “The Guardians,” which consists of The “Sandman” (silent), The Easter “Bunny” (Hugh Jackman) and the “Tooth” Fairy (Isla Fisher).

The four have been defeating this evil for years, but they need some youth to add a weapon, and they call upon Jack Frost. Although Frost is reluctant to take on the mantle of the Guardians, his initial battles with Pitch proves he is necessary to the squad. The fight takes on a epic quality, and Pitch begins to win over the world’s children, mostly through fear and lack of belief in The Guardians. It will take one last monumental challenge to defeat the darkness, and Jack Frost is the key to the hopeful victory.

“Rise of the Guardians” opens everywhere on November 21st. Featuring the voices of Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Jude Law and Hugh Jackman. Screenplay by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on the book by William Joyce. Directed by Peter Ramswy. Rated “PG” (for the scary images generated by the dark and evil Pitch)