The Odd Place of American Animation: A Review of "Rise of the Guardians"

American animation is often perceived as being solely for children, limiting its potential for exploring deeper themes and narratives. Even movies aimed at children, like "Rise of the Guardians," can struggle to find success despite their great premise and star-studded cast. This movie features popular holiday mascots like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy teaming up to fight evil and protect children's innocence.

However, the movie's depiction of Santa Claus, with his Russian accent and serious demeanor, may not align with popular imagination, and the overall lore of the story can be confusing. The mix of epic fantasy and childhood imagination can also create a tonal divide, making it difficult to appeal to both children and adults. Despite these challenges, "Rise of the Guardians" is a beautiful fairytale with emotional depth that deserves recognition beyond just being a children's movie.