“The boogeyman is gonna getcha if you don’t watch out!” Well, he may also win the day if you don’t believe in the warm happy mythologies of childhood, so you’d better get with the happy Easter, Christmas, dreamtime and tooth-under-pillowness of it all Right Now.

Rise of the Guardians isn’t exactly a fits-all kind of film; there’s no Hanukkah Harry , no Kwanzaa Pimp or any other religious stuff that doesn’t deal with the Big J-Dog.  Then again, with Santa large and in charge on the posters, there’s no doubt what you’ll be getting in the theater, so just roll with it.  And who doesn’t love a badass Santa that sports tats and a thumb ring?

There are three other Guardians who “bring wonder, hope and dreams” to the kids of the world; the Easter Bunny, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy.  They too get their own unique spin; EB is a boomerang-toting badass who just happens to paint eggs, the Tooth Fairy is a beautiful half-human/half-hummingbird with an ability to multitask, and Sandman is a rolly-polly ball of adorable that could be the most powerful of them all.  But when Pitch — otherwise known as The Boogeyman — threatens the world with his own brand of darkness, another Guardian is tapped to rise up and lend a hand.  And so it comes to be that the new Guardian is…Jack Frost?  He’s just as baffled as the other Guardians as to why he was chosen.  Don’t worry though, all will be revealed in good time.  And it’s definitely a good time.

The voice actors here are definitely A List, and they bring their A-game.  As North (aka Santa), Alec Baldwin is gruff with a touch of wonder that still burns bright even after centuries of Christmases.  Isla Fisher’s Tooth Fairy sounds flighty (it’s probably the wings) but has a serious side.  Hugh Jackman’s Easter Bunny feels like Clint Eastwood mixed with comic relief, but there’s also a tenderness that comes through.  And Chris Pine’s Jack Frost is our Everyman, trying to figure out his place in the world.  (Sandman doesn’t speak, he conveys his thoughts through manipulation of his dream sand, very adorable.)  Oh, and let’s not forget Jude Law’s nightmarish Pitch, a boogeyman you almost have sympathy for.

The animation here is at the usual DreamWorks Animation level of excellence.  No, it’s not as jaw-droppingly realistic as Disney’s Brave or detailed as Sony’s Hotel Transylvania.  But DreamWorks has always been able to bring a touch of humanity to their work that basic technical skill doesn’t match (see: How to Train Your Dragon).  What I loved most in this respect is the different shades of black, something very important if you’re dealing with a mythological creature that specializes in fear.  Though Pitch is about darkness, there are shadows within shadows, and all sorts of nooks and crannies in the dark, rather than an all-black washout.  The colorful scenes are just as beautiful, especially the Easter Bunny’s Willy-Wonka-Meets-Easter-Island home base, full of rainbow colors and lush, vibrant greenery.  The 3D is seamless, but doesn’t bring a whole lot more to the table.  If you’re weighing a trip to the lobby versus 3D glasses, err on the side of Junior Mints.

The themes are universal and easy to understand.  In order to make life worth living, you have to believe in something greater than yourself; there’s nothing better than friendship to make it through tough times; it’s not just about making sure kids get what they need, you’ve gotta love the little blighters too.  “We don’t have time for children!”  Oh Santa.

The only downside in Rise of the Guardians is the fear factor, if you have wee ones with you.  With Pitch doing his utmost to bring his boogeyman manifesto to the world, there’s a whole lot of darkness, scary horses (nigh-mares, get it?) and fright.  That makes him a fitting villain for the Guardians, but very young children may want to sleep with their parents when they get home.  Do remember that this film is rated PG, and if you’re bringing kids to the film make sure you have a good sense of their ability to deal with boogeyman-themed scariness.

Rise of the Guardians makes a fun movie for Christmas or Easter holiday viewing, or anytime you want to hear Aussie Hugh Jackman say “get this dingo offa me!” (totally worth the price of admission, in my humble opinion).  A voice cast who are obviously enjoying themselves, beautiful animation and a story that puts companionship and trust front and center is a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half.