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Rise to the Occasion

So Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman walk into a bar... oh wait, this isn't a joke. It's a movie: "Rise of the Guardians," from Dreamworks Animation. But it does feature the afore-mentioned mythical figures. And they're in a whole heap of trouble when Pitch Black (a.k.a. the Boogeyman) starts wreaking havoc on the world.

The insidious Mr. Black (voiced deliciously by Jude Law) interferes in the duties of these four figures, or Guardians as they are called in the film.  Black blocks the tooth fairy from making her rounds, stops the SandMan from delivering his pleasant dreams and frustrates the Easter Bunny's attempts to bring colored eggs (and joy) to all the world's children. As the children's belief in these colorful characters wanes, so do their powers, nay, their very existence! Who will come to their aid? A new Guardian: Jack Frost... Or will he?

Jack is content to travel the globe spreading his wintery mischief (and snow days) in blissful anonymity. He wants no part of the responsibility of saving the world. But the man in the moon has apparently chosen Jack to join the elite team of Guardians, to help safeguard the hopes and dreams of the world's children. So with the help of the other Guardians, Jack sets off on his own journey of exploration, seeking clues to his past in the hope that it holds the key to his true calling in life.

The film features superb animation, with the 3D effect used mostly to provide depth behind the screen, and the occasional snowflake or bit of sleep sand floating out into the audience. Dreamworks Animation has been doing 3D animation for years and their artists know how to use it effectively to draw audiences into the story.

The film also features solid dialog and excellent voice acting. Hugh Jackman's street smart Aussie Easter Bunny gives a new twist on the cute and cuddly archetype, and Alec Baldwin's powerful (and tattooed!) Russian Santa provides a solid foundation to the troupe. The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) adds some warm joviality while Captain Kirk himself (Chris Pine) imbues Jack Frost with a playful, yet pensive purpose.

Directed by Peter Ramsey (his first full length film), with a screenplay penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire (based on the book by William Joyce), the plot of "Guardians" holds together pretty well. It successfully walks the fine line between sappiness and heartfelt sincerity. The movie is sprinkled with guffaw-inducing comedic moments (Santa's Yeti and elves providing many of these), but also some scary scenes. The Boogeyman's Night Mares - menacing dark steeds that infect children's dreams - may cause the youngest viewers to avert their eyes, or latch upon the closest arm for comfort. But the frequent sight gags, heroic gestures and mirthful moments more than make up for any perceived peril.

The kids in the audience were cheering and laughing out loud, but I noticed quite a few giggles and smiles from the older viewers as well. More than just a pleasant holiday distraction for the kids, "Rise of the Guardians" is sure to warm the hearts - and tickle the funny bones - of audiences, young and old.

Note: "Rise of the Guardians" features an enhanced Dolby Atmos Surround soundtrack in select theaters.  Check the Dolby web site to see if it's playing near you in Dolby Atmos.