I went to see Rise of the Guardians last night. I knew there would be hidden messages in this movie like in Skyfall, just because of the name of the movie. Firstly, every single preview that came out before the movie showing was absolutely demonic and horrifying. Here are a few observations that I made when watching the movie, I'm sure there are many more things that I forgot or didn't even notice:

1. The movie, like Skyfall, begins with the resurrection of a person who died by drowning, after being a hero (Jack Frost).

2. Darkness begins to take over the world 3 days before Easter. Hmm, what happened 3 days before Easter (the resurrection)? Jesus died, on Passover. Again, we have a reference to the 3 days of darkness. In the movie, the darkness lasts for 3 days and ends at the end of Easter Sunday (resurrection). By the end of the 3 days of darkness, only ONE person remains who still has faith. Jesus said, when I come back, will I find faith on the earth? Just as this one child is also about to lose all faith, a miracle occurs and the boogeyman is defeated. At this time, there is another figure (Sandman) that comes back to life after being killed also. So, we have a resurrection taking place at the beginning and end of the movie. I believe these 3 days of darkness represent the final 3 years of the 70th week of Daniel (each day is a year), and that they will begin in December 2012.

3. The Easter Bunny mentions to Santa Clause how all of this is starting 3 days before Easter and how would Santa Clause feel if this all happened 3 days before Christmas. Santa Clause comes on the evening of December 24, backing up 3 days would be December 21. Again we have a veiled reference to Dec 21 in this movie. Even my husband immediately noticed this in the movie and said something to me, but of course I had already picked up on it.

4. At one point, the very evil boogeyman (don't let the name fool you, this character is PURE evil in the movie, incredibly demonic), looks right into your eyes, and says something like this on the big screen: "It's time for fear to rule the world. Is the world ready for me?" I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was something like that, about how he is coming back and are we ready for him. Here are a few more quotes from this wicked creature:

"That dream is over."

"It's time for fear to rule the world."

"My army's ready."

"What an adorable dream. What's more powerful? It's fear."

"You can't kill fear Jack."

"No more Easter. Or Christmas."

"Finally someone who knows how to have fun."

"Didn't they tell you, Jack? It's great being a Guardian, but there's a catch."

"Maybe I want what you have, to be believed in. Maybe I'm tired of hiding under beds!"

This creature so closely resembles Satan it's scary. He talks about how wonderful things were during the "Dark Ages" and how, since then, people don't believe in him anymore and he wants the world to remember who he is and have them fear him again. He fights against the "guardians" of the earth and comes very close to defeating them, but in the end, good wins and evil loses and he is defeated. Although I don't like the idea that it takes faith in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy to defeat Satan, overall the theme and truth behind what is being communicated is right if we replace those mythical creatures with Christ and His mighty warriors, guarding and protecting us from harm.