The children of the world are in trouble. The guardians of these children (Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and Easter Bunny) discover that the nightmare-creating Pitch Black is back at large, and they need a new guardian to help them: Jack Frost.
The film received mixed reviews and box office performance on its opening week. The movie's opening was DreamWorks Studios' worst box office performance since 2006. The film stars Chris Pine as Jack Frost, Alec Baldwin as Santa Claus (also known as North), and Jude Law as Pitch Black (the Boogeyman).
SUMMARY
Things are going great at the North Pole. Preparations are well on their way for Christmas, then something happens. Black sand covers Santa's giant globe and forms the menacing shape of a laughing figure. Santa calls a meeting of his fellow guardians Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Sandman (or "Sandy"). They are told by the Man in the Moon that Jack Frost is a new guardian who will help in the fight against the Boogeyman, Pitch Black.
Jack does not like the idea of becoming a guardian, but he is quickly thrust into the job when Pitch attacks the Tooth Palace and kidnaps not only the fairy population, but also the memories of children (held inside their lost teeth). Children wake up and, seeing no quarters under their pillow, begin to stop believing in the Tooth Fairy. The guardians begin travelling around the world collecting teeth.
They realize that there is still a chance to regain the "lost" children: Easter is around the corner. But Pitch also ruins Easter Egg Hunts. It looks very grim for the heroes.
The film eventually concludes with a climatic battle between the guardians versus Pitch and his legions of nightmares.
I think the violence was borderline for a PG-rating. It was right in the area where it possibly will frighten some children, but also not violent enough to be considered PG-13. There are several punches, kicks, etc. One character is shot in the back with an arrow and consumed by darkness. Also, Pitch and his nightmare minions could scare younger viewers.
There is one scene where several fairies faint at the sight of Jack Frost.
There is no offensive language in the film.
The Man in the Moon seems to be a god-like figure (though not specifically said) and a character says that when the moon calls, you answer it. There are several mentions of believing in yourself/your heart. However, one thing that was probably unwittingly put into the film is how trust in anything but God can be shaky. It takes one Easter egg hunt without eggs to cause the world's children to cease believing in the guardians. And in one scene, the main child character (after seeing the guardians) talks to his stuffed bunny. He says that it won't take much to make him believe; just a little sign (and also that they "owe" it to him).
Rise of the Guardians had great animated effects and wonderful voice acting (not to mention a great score by Alexandre Desplat). It has some drawbacks, but these can be used as teaching moments for parents to children. Rise of the Guardians did not have great returns at the box office or many good reviews, but I would say it is actually a good family film.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 97 minutes
Rating: PG (for thematic elements and some mildly scary action)
Director: Peter Ramsey
Producers: Christina Steinberg, Nancy Berstein
Music: Alexandre Desplat
Year of release: 2012
Primary audience: Kids, family
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