Review: Rise of the Guardians

Jack protests at being co-opted in this "workhorse" group with the task of keeping the world's children happy. He is more content having "fun", which basically involves snowball fighting with children.

A trip through Santa's wonderful toy factory goes a long way towards changing Jack's mind. What brings on the change faster is the arrival of Pitch Black (Law), the bearer of "fear" and "nightmare" who insists his time has come, takes on the "guardians" and goes about destroying the Tooth Fairy myth as his first mission.

The "guardians" are suitably horrified. This "end of the world" scenario comes with much hand-wringing, soul-searching and a lot of fighting as Pitch pits his Harry Potteresque dementors against the guardians' unquestioning goodness. The animation is excellent, especially how frost springs from the end of Jack's staff and forms the famed fern-like patterns on objects.

The film does broach on the loneliness of characters like Jack, who longs to be seen or touched by another being, but also Pitch, who has gone through life being feared and banished and has now decided to make it his life's ambition. But broach is all it does.

Eyeing the Christmas/New Year good cheer market, Rise of the Guardians is determined to not let a shadow of doubt rest on the brows of those watching. It's the greatest disservice perhaps to its intended market that it doesn't believe they are capable of making their own minds, or finding beliefs that would withstand the harsh light of growing up.

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