emann@pvdemocrat.com —
Being the ultimate party poopers we are, adults have done a more than satisfactory job of giving children things to believe in only to crush that imagination whenever it doesn’t suit our means. Much like a jealous sibling who doesn’t want the younger one to have a type of happiness they lost and refuse to try and retrieve, we all too often cause damage when we need to just follow that classic Pink Floyd lyric.
Cue today’s reviewed cinematic subject, one that may not quite be among the year’s most amazing, but still one of the most refreshingly creative. An enjoyable ride nonetheless, there’s something there for those still young enough to subscribe at least a little faith and the potential for us who thought we were too old to embrace forgotten fantasy. “Rise of the Guardians” is a holiday Avengers treat that may not be so much important because of the adventure or story told; instead providing a powerful hidden message that it’s never too late to let the child in us keep dreaming.
This particular tale all starts off with a vague beginning story for the winter spirit known as Jack Frost (Chris Pine). Unsure of where he truly came from and discovering quickly he is invisible to everyone around him, he pretty much settles into a life of frozen mischief and he occasional nose nipping.
Cue an idea that just looked fun in the trailers alone, a gathering of holiday super heroes we’ve all at least have heard of from the Sandman to North or Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), The Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), who are all on edge when an old nemesis, Pitch the Bogeyman (Jude Law) resurfaces to destroy children’s faith in them. What could be a complicated mish mash of stories gives us a chance to see a little of what makes each fantasy character tick and thrown in along with trying to figure out who Jack really is includes whether that idea includes him becoming one of the guardians. It’s a relatively balanced flick that includes plenty of spiffy special effects, especially the sand related battles, as well as decently clean humor and just heartwarming enough of a resolution to avoid being sappy.
It is without a doubt a morals tale, which means a constant lesson or two to be learned, which is fine unless you just can’t stand reinforcements of right versus wrong. The characters also have their own lovable quirks and personally I’d like to see some expansion of each if the studio scrooges feel enough money warrants sequels.
In any case, I reccomend this as something to consider for this time a year with content appropriate for any age, barring there’s time after the 4,000th rewatching of a “Charlie Brown Christmas.” It’s time well spent and worth the ticket price. Thus my final verdict for “Rise of the Guardians” is three and a half out of five elves.
Movie viewing experience courtesy of the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley.
Arts
Related Photos
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Poster for "Rise of the Guardians," showing this week at the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley. DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures.
Discussion
'Rise of the Guardians’ a touching tribute to childlike wonder
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