Jack Frost melts hearts

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2012)

From its first moments The Rise of The Guardians is clearly something special. The birth of a super-hero is exquisitely rendered; Jack Frost's introduction is a truly poignant moment.
This animated feature begins brilliantly and then struggles a little in trying to keep the younger audience members hooked while establishing its characters and story. In the first half there are times when the pace is somewhat frenetic although it remains constantly enjoyable, but in the second half it pulls out all the stops to confirm itself as a heartbreakingly wonderful film about faith, hope and friendship.
What sets Guardians apart from other movies of its genre is the depth and originality present in the story-telling and characters. The emotions are tender and everything seems personal and real; close to the bone and human.
Watching Guardians you realize how even the best family entertainment relies on manipulative and predictable story-telling. Guardians is a breath of fresh air, you can watch with fresh eyes like a child unpolluted by expected dramatic cues sign-posted as they arrive. It is also often like going on a roller-coaster ride, visually the 3D is used to best effect without feeling like a gimmick. The shots supervised by the great Roger Deakins are out of this world. Music by Alexandre Desplat, brilliant as ever. The animation state-of-the-art, serving the story perfectly.
A great movie which pays off marvelously. (grown men will cry, I did!)