By Chassity Beals, Columnist for The Greeneville Neighbor News

The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the Sandman and the Easter Bunny are not only real in Rise of the Guardians, they are guarding everything a child needs and deserves for a happy childhood.

With Tooth guarding memories, North (Santa) guarding wonder, Sandy guarding dreams and the Easter Bunny guarding hope, the children who believe in these lovable protectors are guarded until they stop believing.

Jack Frost is a fun-loving guy who is searching for who he is. He is invisible to children because, well, no one believes in him. When the Man in the Moon chooses Jack to become a Guardian, he reluctantly accepts.

The movie takes a turn for the worse, when Pitch (Fear) seeks to take over children’s belief (viewers learn a child’s belief in the Guardians determines how powerful they are) and rule them with fear and nightmares, while stripping the Guardians of their power to protect the children.

The movie’s 3D effects are spectacular, with snow that seems as if you should be able to reach out and touch it. The adventure, however, is more of an internal journey of Jack’s to find his “center,” or as North explains, that thing that makes Jack who he is.

Guardians tries to beef up Santa Claus and make him more “action hero” than loveable jolly fellow and fails slightly. His arm tattoos that read “Naughty” on one arm and “Nice” on the other seem a bit unnecessary to his character. However, his love of ice sculpting and his child-like, wide-eyed wonder leave traces of the Santa that we all know and love.

What is Jack’s center? Who was he before he was Jack Frost? These questions loom over Jack like clouds that promise snow until he finds the answers. The story falters slightly in the middle, but picks up toward the end, making for an overall fun family film.

Rise of the Guardians is currently showing at Towne Crossing 8 theaters in Greeneville. The movie is rated PG. Length: 97 minutes.