THE RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
US, 2012, 97 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Dakota Goyo.
Directed by Peter Ramsay.
The Guardians are a motley lot. They come from a series of children’s books by William Joyce. They are the traditional creatures that children have believed in and who see themselves as protectors of the children. They are North (a Russian-accented Santa Claus voiced by an unrecognisable Alec Baldwin), a rather Tinkerbell-looking Tooth Fairy (with her mini-entourage, voiced by Isla Fisher) and, of all things, The Easter Bunny, who looks like a larger Bugs Bunny with kangaroo overtones (voiced by a very strongly Australian-accented Hugh Jackman, along with some ‘mates’ and ‘crikeys’). There is also the Sandman who does not speak but lets his thoughts out in golden sand designs. So, there you are. Children who like this kind of thing will be delighted – and the parents can enjoy the accents.
But, this is also the story of Jack Frost (voiced by Chris Pine), who emerges from under the water under the guidance of the moon, forgetting his previous life. The Guardians are advised that Jack is to be added to their list. Jack is a nice kid and wary of the Guardians, but eventually he finds his mission and joins them.
The bonus of the film (to scare the littlies and entertain the adults) is the Boogyman, Pitch Black. Jude Law has quite a time voicing this villain who is trying to instill fear into every child (and almost succeeds, except for a genial boy who keeps the faith). It all builds up to a confrontation between the good guardians and the bad Pitch who has to confront his own fears and nightmares.
It’s a whole mythology, a deep down yearning for some kind of guardians who will guide and protect us all through life – but, once we stop believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny…?
1. The audience for this kind of film? Fairy tales and fantasy? Children, adults, family?
2. The animation, the style, the visuals, the voices, the music, the layouts?
3. Jack Frost and his story? As a young boy, falling through the ice, losing his memory, retaining it in his teeth? The final revival of his memories? Taking his place as a Guardian?
4. Jack going to the north pole? An initial wariness? The picture of the team: Santa, the Russian accent, tough, tattoos, his championing of the children? The Easter Bunny, beard, his Australian accent, Australian toughness? The Tooth Fairy, slight, feminine, flying like a hummingbird? The silent Sandman, appearance, no words, engaging, disappearing?
5. Pitch Black as the bogeyman? Sinister? Hating children? Infiltrating the dreams? His malevolent influence? Evil and nightmares? His name? The sinister voice?
6. The mission to combat Pitch Black? The team effort? Whether Jack should be in it or not? His being tested? Suspicions, especially by the Easter Bunny? The misinterpretation, Jack’s behavior, seen as a traitor? Jack having to prove himself again
7. Jack, his recovery, and his memories of his past? Family, situation, the accident?
8. Befriending Jamie? Jamie as a character, his helping?
9. The team, Sandman and his disappearance, later reappearance? The confrontation?
10. The tactic against Pitch, trapping him in his nightmares?
11. An entertaining fantasy, combining the disparate characters and bringing them together?
