'Rise of the Guardians' starring Chris Pine and Alec Baldwin - trailer review
Rise of the Guardians Directed by: Peter Ramsey Starring: (voices of) Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Jude Law Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: November 21, 2012
TRAILER SCORE: 9/10
Thoughts by TSR: This is a beautiful, awe-inspiring trailer. 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for animation, and I think Rise of the Guardians might be my most anticipated of them all. Seeing these characters brought to life like this would have blown my mind as a kid. I mean, warrior Santa, you guys! Even now that I’m older I still can’t wait to see what looks as though it could be a magical film.
The opening minute and 15 seconds, in which Baldwin’s voiceover sets up the concept, are divine. And the rest of the trailer is just as good. The way the characters are revealed is great, the animation is gorgeous, the action looks well done (as with How to Train Your Dragon, this seems like a film where 3D could be put to good use), and Baldwin’s voiceover is actually a bit moving. Another thing I love is that while there are funny things – Santa’s “naughty” and “nice” arm tattoos, for example – it isn’t rife with pop culture references. They are clearly letting the artistry do the work, and the film will be better for it.
Unfortunate title aside – one could be forgiven for mistaking this as a sequel to Zack Snyder’s Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole – there is little to dislike about this trailer. I’m already anticipating a number of films set for release at the end of the year, and with Rise of the Guardians on the slate there’s just one more reason to get excited for 2012’s holiday season.