From DreamWorks and first-time director Peter Ramsey, comes the adventure filled animated epic film, “Rise of the Guardians,” the story of how the iconic mythical figures from our childhood work together to protect the innocence and imagination of kids. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman, need the help of Jack Frost to stop an evil menace from robbing children of their hopes and dreams.

The film, based on a series of books written by William Joyce, took around five years to come to life on the big screen.  Although, Joyce was heavily involved in the process as an executive producer, the studio brought screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire to put together a cinematic story out of these characters.

We can see executive producer Guillermo del Toro’s unique perspective throughout the film. “I think it touches a lot of themes that he [del Toro] loves in his own movies, like childhood, mystery and magic, and mythology,” said Ramsey. “Guillermo [del Toro] really helped us on the storytelling side of things. Structural things that helped the story in a more exciting way,” he added. At a recent screening, del Toro said that he liked the universal theme of the story.

One of the special aspects in this movie is the Tru 3D graphics used, and knowing from the get go it was the format in which it was going to be shot. With that in mind Ramsey knew that the set design, camera moves and lighting were going to be affected. “We had a 3D script. For every scene in the movie, every shot, we planned how deep or how shallow the 3D effect will be. So it kind of affects the emotional impact that the scene has on you,” he said.

The distinct personalities of each character required special voices that would bring them to life. Ramsey had a list of actors he wanted to cast for the roles and he feels “lucky that pretty much our first choices, all wanted to do it.” He refers to Alec Baldwin (North), Jude Law (Pitch), Hugh Jackman (Easter Bunny), Chris Pine (Jack Frost) and Isla Fisher (Tooth Fairy).

It does not matter if you’ve been naughty or nice. Get ready for a fast moving, funny, big, colorful film, that will show you how these legendary characters we grew up believing in are real and work together for a common cause, to protect all the greatest things about childhood.

“Rise of the Guardians” in theaters nationwide Nov. 21.