“Rise of the Guardians”
Review By Eliann Griffin
Rise of the Guardians, an animated feature film, was brought to life based on William Joyce’s book series, The Guardians of Childhood. Directed by Peter Ramsey, the film follows Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Sandman, who serve as immortal guardians, protecting children across generations against darkness and despair. When the evil boogeyman Pitch Black (Jude Law) starts to attack children’s belief in the guardians, Jack Frost (Chris Pine) steps up as a new guardian to restore belief and overthrow Pitch Black. The story includes themes of self-discovery and hope, clearly marketed for children and families. The quick pacing at times makes the story feel rushed and difficult to follow, especially if you are not already familiar with the characters involved, as the story relies largely upon expanding pre-established lore. I cannot speak to the film being a book adaptation, as I have not read the series, but I imagine the books may fill in some of the gaps lost in the pacing and abridged storyline.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
“Alice in Wonderland” (2010)
Review By Rianna Romasoc
Alice in Wonderland (2010) is a film that makes Lewis Carroll’s Victorian imagination into a darker fantasy fever dream. Director Tim Burton reimagines Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as a young woman stepping uncertainly into adulthood, displaying themes of choice and identity through CGI marvels and psychological exploration. Falling into the surreal realm, Alice is to face the hot-tempered Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) becomes more of a chaotic guide and protector of Alice, though he is visibly “mad” and eccentric. The film transports the audience from reality to a world of wonder and disorientation; however, it gives the theme of self-discovery and empowerment a different perspective. This film is like a feminist fairy tale promoting confidence and independence through a grown-up, heroic Alice. Other figures like the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) support Alice choosing her destiny over traditional expectations. Compared to when I watched it as a young girl to now, I realized the film celebrates deviating from gender roles and seizing power.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
“Donnie Darko”
Review By Caleb Storey
Donnie Darko is a psychological film that includes a mix of mental health, time travel and mystery. This allows for a really unique, but, also, confusing story. This film follows Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a teenager who begins to see a creepy figure named Frank in a rabbit costume. As Donnie has to deal with school and his own personal problems, the visions begin to affect his decisions and get increasingly more intense as the movie goes on. Gyllenhaal does a great job showcasing Donnie’s confusion, which allows the character to feel more authentic. The vibe of this film is definitely unsettling, but that’s the part that keeps you hooked.You might not fully understand after the first watch, and the storyline can be very confusing. Still, Donnie Darko stands out because of its authenticity and unique plot. The movie will definitely leave you thinking. It might not be for everyone, but if you go into it with an open mind, it can be a very unique experience.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
“Space Jam: A New Legacy”
Review By Logan Murphy
Space Jam: A New Legacy is a movie that is supposed to tie into the universe of the original Space Jam, but does it so poorly, simply riding the wave of nostalgia that came from having “Space Jam” in the title. The story follows NBA legend, LeBron James, as he and his computer savvy son Dom (Cedric Joe) gets trapped in a computer program where an evil AI puts them against each other and exploits them for their skills. LeBron gets sent to the Looney Tunes world and teams up with notable figures like Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, and the rest of the classic group to save himself and his world by beating the AI’s team of unfairly modified basketball players. The story is way too similar to the original, but now, the Looney Tunes seemed like an afterthought, and not what made the story unique. The constant references to other Warner Bros-owned franchises make those parts seem more like blatant advertising rather than being used for narrative advancement.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
