Arguably the best Jack Frost ever portrayed on film, but...

Rating: 6/10 (18 December 2012)

Perhaps my long-term interest in horror films involving Santa Claus that predicate off of the fear of the holiday season is my reason for not enjoying Rise of the Guardians as much as I believe I should've. It's a pretty movie, with lively colors, familiar characters, and beautifully created scenery, but pairing iconic figures such as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and, more or less, Jack Frost and the Sandman, together seemed to be a creative idea that didn't gel well on screen.
This is largely due to the direction of the film, which takes the story with a grain of salt, not providing enough true imagination into the settings and the characters in general, and making its leads, especially the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, into drab, cynical beings with very few characteristics that can be redeemed in a meaningful way.
The story concerns the spirit of winter himself, Jack Frost (voiced by Chris Pine), who recounts his eternal life that began centuries ago after being summoned by the Man in the Moon. It then goes into the details on how Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), leader of the Guardians along with the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and the Sandman, is at a loss to try and defeat Pitch the Bogeyman (Jude Law), and appoints Jack Frost as the new Guardian to help the four attempt to defeat the force of darkness/evil.
This storyline is a little less than compelling to say the least. Often times, the film is distracted by manic chase sequences that show off the colors of the film rather than its depth and characters. Rise of the Guardians is The Avengers for the little-ones, but the film seldom treats the material as anything more than a simple timewaster. Yet the film has some wonderfully animated sequences, such as the sequence where the Guardians are swerving on the sleigh, or even when they are all paired together in a little boy's room, hoping to make it out of their alive.
Certain little instances that punctuate the ninety-seven minute excursion are fun and lively, but the story as a whole is comprised of parts that don't fit so perfectly well. Kids may like it, although they may need to hit that five and up level before seeking this one out. It's mildly amusing and occasionally impressive visually, but it's unfortunate that the characters here are presented in such a gloomy, uninspired tone. Think about it; why must the Easter Bunny be portrayed as an Aussie warrior with a dreary outlook on life? Voiced by: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, and Jude Law. Directed by: Peter Ramsey.