Well, after all my work on this
blog, I was finally going to be able to write a review for a film that I worked
on directly, and it looked like Rise of
the Guardians would help DreamWorks Animation dominate the Holiday Movie
Season. Reimagining beloved childhood
mythologies as action-packed superheroes seemed to guarantee future success,
especially when critics started labeling the film as “Avengers for kids.” Based on
what I had seen of Guardians during
its development, I knew that audiences would be thrilled, but I was a little
concerned over the perceived lack of marketing efforts, especially in relation
to the identification of the all-star cast.
However, most of my doubts were put to rest in the short weeks leading
up to the Thanksgiving weekend, as the level of previews, promotions, and
posters went through the roof; but, would that be enough to stand-up against
juggernauts like Breaking Dawn, Part 2? Prepared for an early viewing, I knew I
would not be disappointed; I was just looking for confirmation of a profitable
box office run, one in which I now shared a far more personal stake than ever
before.
Wonderfully imaginative,
beautifully rendered, and reintroducing a sense of wonder that most audiences lost
long ago, Rise of the Guardians is
the perfect kind of movie to thrill children, charm adults, and put absolutely
everyone in the holiday spirit. As far
as animated characters go, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost,
and Sandman, are all engaging and offer truly creative modifications of
legendary folklore, but the true standouts are Santa’s yetis and elves, both of
whom are utterly hysterical and help balance the surprising levels of emotion
with considerable humor. And, if you are
looking for utterly gorgeous animation, you don’t have to look much farther
than the wonderfully detailed environments that play home to our heroes, not to
mention the fast-paced action sequences that make capable use of 3D
technology. Unfortunately, a few
warnings have to be levied, as the pacing of the story does lull at a few
points, and the villainous Boogeyman can be terrifying for small children. In the end though, if you can look past those
small missteps, Rise of the Guardians
still remains entertaining and rewarding for both children and anyone who once
believed in the fables of our childhood.
Overall Recommendation: High
