The Rise of the Guardians

UK Cinema Release Date :  TODAY - Friday 30th November 2012
3D computer animated fantasy adventure film by Dreamworks, directed by Peter Ramsey

Ok, so, I didn't love this film, but, I enjoyed it.  It's no Monsters Inc, or Rango, or Toy Story.  But it is a good family Christmas film, sweet enough but not too sacharinne and great for little ones who will like the odd action sequence.  The animation is beautiful the details of background and characters fluid and gorgeously rendered.

Based on the idea that the man in the moon has chosen a group of Guardians to care for the children of the world.  When the evil Pitch Black (Jude Law) trys to expell hope and wonder and replace it with fear and disbelief the immortal Guardians spring into action.

There is a new Guardian in the team, Jack Frost, with the voice of (Chris Pine).  Jack has spent 300 years having fun, causing mischief and is not too keen on becoming a Guardian. The other Guardians are sure that he has been chosen for a reason and he needs to understand what is at his "centre".  

His new workmates include the half hummingbird Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the silent Sandman.  Their leader is Father Christmas (Alec Baldwin), a tattooed Russian sounding warrior.  The subversion of the usual characterisation of these childhood heros is one of the best parts of the film.  The easter bunny is a 6ft, boomerang welding Aussie.

I watched the film with my two little foxes, Una (6) and Louis (3).  Louis was a little scared in parts, although not so bad that he wouldn't watch it, just fingers over his eyes and then insisting he wanted to watch it to the end.   I would say the film is a little too old for his age.

Una, however, said it was "fantastic" her favourite characters were the; "Tooth Fairy because she's pretty" (and she has just had a recent visit from her!) and "Jack because he's funny, he landed and his cloak went over his head..."  She says she wasn't scared but I definitely remember holding her hand at one point.

They both jumped up this morning in excitement to check the windows for signs that Jack Frost had been and may have left some sign of his artistic talents on the window.  So, I guess they both enjoyed it really.

  

Based on William Joyce's The Guardians of Childhood book series and The Man in the Moon short film by Joyce and Reel FX. Peter Ramsey directed the film, while Joyce and Guillermo del Toro were executive producers. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures.