"Say WHAT? I'm a bunny!"
The children of the world are protected by the immortal Guardians, led by the Man in the Moon. The Guardians also bring joy to the children through their secondary jobs: North (Baldwin) is also known as Santa Clause and lives in the frozen tundra of the North Pole, Tooth (Fisher) is the Tooth Fairy and works with her "baby teeth" hummingbirds to collect teeth and memories from the children of the world, Bunnymund (Jackman) is the Easter Bunny who wields a boomerang , and Sandy the Sandman who gives children peaceful dreams. When they are confronted by Pitch (Law) the Boogeyman, who plans to dispose of the Guardians and keep children in fear.
As Pitch makes his presence known, the Man in the Moon appoints a new Guardian: Jack Frost (Pine). Jack is seen as a troublemaker and doesn't have any memories of his life before. Also unlike the other Guardians, he is invisible to children. Can Jack and the Guardians save the children, or will the world be lost to darkness.
In 2011, author William Joyce wrote a series of children's novels called "The Guardians of Childhood." The series was popular enough for Joyce to work with Dreamworks on a film based on the characters of his books. The events of the film take place 200 years after the books. The books setup the 4 Guardians, so the movie does not spend much time with the characters... Joyce wanted the film and books to be companions, but not carbon copies.
The story has an intriguing premise: re-imagining iconic childhood mythology. The characters are funny, without resorting to bathroom humor. North gets some of the best laughs, along with his team of Yetis and elves (even without saying a word or spewing non-sense sounds). Tooth's hummingbird baby teeth are cute, but Bunnymund's giant stone eggs and baby eggs with legs are disturbing. The voices fit the characters well. Jude Law is simultaneously as menacing and charming as Pitch. Alec Baldwin is endearing with a heavy Russian accent as North. Isla Fisher is quirky and multitasking as Tooth. Hugh Jackman gives Bunnymund an edge, but isn't too afraid to show a softer side. Chris Pine carries the film well.
There are some plot holes, but overall the story, while predictable, works. Young children probably won't enjoy the film, but everyone else should enjoy it. The animation is good, good enough to be nominated for a Golden Globe for animation (although it did not receive an Oscar nomination).
Rise of the Guardians (2012) 97 minutes
Director: Peter Ramsey
Starring: Chris Pine as Jack Frost
Alec Baldwin as North
Jude Law as Pitch
Isla Fisher as Tooth
Hugh Jackman as Bunnymund
Dakota Goya as Jamie Bennett
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