Rise of the Guardians

After my recent move home to Northern California, I began watching a new movie every night. One of them was Rise of the Guardians. I didn't want to watch a Christmas movie, with the holiday approaching, so I found something more tame.

Facebook post:
Just finished watching Rise of the Guardians. I wanted to watch something kind of in the Christmas spirit that would give me a few laughs. This film was perfect. It was so touching it brought me to tears! It is cute and fun, an excuse to embrace the child within and remind us to believe. It's worth watching! I loved it! Hugh Jackman as the Bunny was hilarious! Very well done! Full Australian accent too! Chris Pine made a great Jack Frost, and I love the ethnic Santa. Don't forget to watch the credits!

A film like this can bring the whole family together around the television. There is something in it for everyone of every age. The famous holiday figures were given a human-like quality that makes them practical creatures. Everything we have known our whole lives is given a higher purpose and meaning that makes sense. Why does the tooth fairy keep our teeth? Watch the film! Santa Claus is not only jolly, but also a tough fighter! The Easter Bunny has a strong personality too, he has militant experience! The Sandman is soft spoken. Makes sense if he helps us sleep. 

The premise of the film is the presence of the Boogie Man named Pitch (as in black), played by Jude Law. Don't roll your eyes yet! He threatens to frighten the people on Earth into believing in him and not our beloved seasonal guardians. If the adults and children stop believing in the guardians and believe in The Boogie Man, Pitch gains strength that can overthrow the guardians and they begin to disappear. To save their lives, and the people, the Moon chooses a new guardian to lead. Jack Frost has no idea why he was chosen, but he must learn from the others in order to defeat Pitch.

This idea goes back to when we were kids. To believe in something and have faith is ingrained within us. We want purpose, answers, understanding. St. Nicolas is our giver of gifts on Christmas, The Easter Bunny involves young ones in a religious holiday, the Tooth Fairy awards our early maturation by swapping our teeth with money, Sandman helps us sleep so Santa, Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy may perform their good deeds for us. Jack Frost? Even he doesn't know what his purpose is. 

Watch this film. It will touch the child within all of us, and make us believe again.