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Rise of the Guardians
 
Starring Chis Pine, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Hugh Jackman
Directed by Peter Ramsey
 


When we were children, we were young and innocent, and ready to believe in anything.  "Rise of the Guardians" tells the story of our childhood, the innocence that we once had, and shows us what it means to believe in the impossible.

Jack Frost (Chris Pine) is on a road to self-discovery.  He's frustrated that no one believes in him, and therefore no one can see him.  For three hundred years he's roamed the earth, causing mischief and bringing fun to the children, while he himself feels totally alone.

Meanwhile, the Guardians - consisting of North (Alec Baldwin), Tooth (Isla Fisher), Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and Sandy (the Sand Man, who doesn't have a voice) - are facing their greatest foe: Pitch (Jude Law), also known as the Boogeyman.  He too is tired of being ignored and not believed by the children, so he sets out to make himself known by bringing doom and gloom to the world, and by erasing the memories of the Guardians.

The Man in the Moon chooses a new Guardian - Jack Frost - to assist the Guardians, and no one really understands why, especially Jack himself.  He's still trying to figure out who he was before, and what type of purpose he serves.  As Pitch sets out to destroy the childhood memories of the tooth fairy, Easter bunny, Sandman and Santa, Jack begins to realize his importance, and learns what he's really meant for.

There were a lot of critics out there who shunned the film and gave it negative reviews, and I believe those people are the ones who gave up on their childhood dreams long ago.  Personally, I felt this was an amazing film filled with whimsical wonder and dazzling animation.  The characters were extremely well-developed, and the storyline moved at a pace that wasn't too slow or too fast.  Plus it personally brought back childhood memories of innocence and wonder, something people seem to lose as the years go by.  "Rise of the Guardians" is a great film for families, kids, and kids at heart.  

Rating: A

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