Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 144
Fresh: 107 | Rotten: 37
A sort of Avengers for the elementary school set, Rise of the Guardians is wonderfully animated and briskly paced, but it's only so-so in the storytelling department.
Average Rating: 6/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 12
A sort of Avengers for the elementary school set, Rise of the Guardians is wonderfully animated and briskly paced, but it's only so-so in the storytelling department.
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Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 87,871
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Movie Info
Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes - each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. -- (C) Official Site
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Cast
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Alec Baldwin
North, North aka Santa ... -
Hugh Jackman
Bunnymund, E. Aster Bun... -
Isla Fisher
Tooth, Tooth aka The To... -
Chris Pine
Jack Frost -
Jude Law
Pitch -
Dakota Goyo
Jamie Bennett
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Rise of the Guardians Trailer & Photos
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (109) | Rotten (37) | DVD (2)
Less-than-compelling storyline.
Top CriticRise of the Guardians is harmless enough, and the lack of easy pop-culture jokes represents the post-Shrek direction of DreamWorks well enough. But this is the studio's least entertaining film.
The conceit has its charms but too much of this movie, directed by Peter Ramsey, is more clamorous than inspired, and little kids might find parts of it too scarily intense.
'Rise of the Guardians' is an effervescent dose of fantasia that's pretty hard to dislike. Unless, of course, you're a cynical grump.
The script seems to have been written by committee, with members lobbying for each major character, and the action, set in vast environments all over the map, spreads itself so thin that a surfeit of motion vitiates emotion.
Too cluttered and manic to bring real pleasure.
There's plenty to enjoy here, with the witty back and forth between our heroes rarely lost amidst the CG-crafted spectacle that whizzes across rooftops and dives into burrows.
A beautiful fantasy adventure that might change a few minds about the power and importance of these childhood fantasy characters.
A weirdly dark but not-bad-for-a-kiddie-flick action romp.
DreamWorks' newest picture is definitely one for the kids, but director Peter Ramsey makes it fun enough to put a smile on parents' faces.
An entertaining experience, whether you see it in 3-D or 2-D, 'Rise of the Guardians' is an enjoyable adventure for all ages.
The animation's usually a visual delight. There's enough visual spark and inventiveness to make this animated adventure rise above the Christmas crowd of flicks.
Alas, a sweet heart and a tender message aren't enough to save Rise of the Guardians from its overly sugary ways.
Rise of the Guardians delivers a giddy, kinetic excitement as its heroes whoosh and swoop through the air, or glide and skitter on ice.
In one of the best, brightest, most beautifully realised and visually sumptuous tentpole animation films of the year...an absolute joy to behold, as lovingly made a piece of corporate entertainment as you're likely to find at the multiplex.
One of the best surprises of 2012.
Delivers an entertaining twist on the fabricated mascots that kids will enjoy.
From the wind rustling through Jack Frost's white hair to the panoramic vistas as they fly through the sky, it all looks amazing.
Whatever its agenda might (or might not) be, Rise of the Guardians is a surprisingly rousing tale with a story that resonates easily, if not deeply.
Rise of the Guardians is both reasonably quirky and mildly serious. It wants children to believe there's more to animation than fast food tie-ins.
This lovely fantasy has been brought to beautiful 3D life by Peter Ramsey, the visual effects are really something.
The villain begins by kidnapping Tooth's worker fairies: it's never clear how she's so human-sized and they're all fairy-sized and have no voices, or how they're the workers and she's management.
More exhausting than exciting, but there are enough amusing gags to prevent on-the-fence viewers -- and critics -- from going full Scrooge on the final product.
Youngsters will enjoy the diversion with the film's cute characters and creative visuals although there is a frenetic feel about the action that tends to overwhelm the story on an emotional level. As a result, there is little heart that resonates
While the concept is novel - and the animation often dazzling - the story and characterisations soon prove trite, condescending and dull.
An unusual 3D tale about a playful free spirit who is thrilled to become a Guardian who watches over children.
Audience Reviews for Rise of the Guardians
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Jack Frost: Don't look at me, I'm invisible.
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- North: We are too busy bringing joy to children! We do not have time for children.
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- Bunnymund: To Christmassey, mate. Paint them blue.
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- North aka Santa Claus: You cannot say no, it is destiny.
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- Pitch: You can't get rid of me! Not forever! There will always be fear.
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- Bunnymund: Alright, nobody panic.
- Jack Frost: But that's a, um, that's a greyhound. Do you know what greyhounds DO to rabbits?
- Bunnymund: I think it's a pretty safe bet he's never met a rabbit like me. 6 foot 1, nerves of steel, master of Tai Chi and the ancient art of [Jack sets off an alarm clock, making the dog start to chase him] CRIKEY!
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Has Anyone Else Noticed how TRULY AWFUL This is? | 1 day ago | 33 |
| Christmas and Easter wouldn't exist without Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny | 14 days ago | 20 |
| "Rise" is the worst movie to ever wear the Dreamworks logo.... | 18 days ago | 29 |
| For all the 'critics' who lost sight of what it is to be a kid. | 34 days ago | 14 |
| Words | 3 months ago | 2 |
Latest News on Rise of the Guardians
March 12, 2013:
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Life of Pi and Rise of the GuardiansThis week on home video, we've got four new releases that are Certified Fresh, including one...
March 1, 2013:
Digital Multiplex: The Master, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, and MoreThis weekend in streaming, we've got an Oscar-nominated drama (The Master) and the conclusion to a...
November 27, 2012:
DreamWorks: A Visual HistoryWith Rise of the Guardians opening in cinemas, we take a look back over DreamWorks Animation's first...
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Foreign Titles
- Die Hüter des Lichts (DE)
- Les Cinq légendes (FR)
Decent movie but not great! The plot is heavily about the idea of believing. We are told to believe in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, The Sandman and Jack Frost. Yet there's an underlying issue that goes unresolved. Two of the heroes - Santa and The Easter Bunny - are attached to holidays with religious themes, specifically the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Bunny comes close to explaining the meaning of his holiday by reminding Jack that "Easter is about new beginnings", but he stops short of getting deeper than that. It seems rather cheap to ask kids to hold on to their faith in Santa and The Tooth Fairy but makes no mention of God. What's the message there? Give us chases and fight scenes, but don't ask us for anything more. That seems rather false. Now the million dollar question: will kids enjoy it? Likely, but it will probably appeal more to the kids than to the parents. It is a fun movie with lots of bright colors and colorful characters and fun chase scenes. The villain meets an inevitable fate and the heroes are united as one. All your basic stuff. It's a good movie, an entertaining movie, but not one that is likely to be handed down through the generations. Although, be warned, The Easter Bunny sports a boomerang and your kids may want one for Christmas.
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imaginations of children all over the world.