Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Overly complicated Mexican anime has some scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Long ago, humanity formed an alliance with the "Brije," benevolent spirits assigned to each person to help them be the best and bravest they could be. But over time, people stopped believing in the Brije, and as many Brije disappeared as a result, many others became evil in order to survive. In contemporary times, three kids led by a precocious boy named Freddy (Jose A. Toledano) enter a museum and through a sculpture of a god, are informed that they must protect the codex from the evil spirits and their human allies who seek to conquer the world. Evil comes in the form of a greedy man named Elmer (Jose Luis Orozco) who recruits three bullies to help him in his wicked quest. Freddy and his friends undergo a tremendous adventure that takes them through time and space -- from China in the early 20th Century, to Egypt in 1345, to the Mayan Empire, where they must battle wicked gods, bad Brije, and Elmer, and must convince the human race to believe in the Brije again, for it is the only way to save the planet from evil.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of anime might enjoy this Mexican-based spin on a classic folktale from that country. But the ambition in GUARDIANS OF THE LOST CODE makes this a movie in which they try to do too much with the time and budget they were given. While the central conflict is outlined within the first ten minutes, the attempts at modernizing the story fall short as the twists and turns of the plot become hard to follow. Three kids must rescue the world and bring the Brije (guardian angels, in a sense) back, and their quest takes them to China, Egypt, and Mexico, in various points in time, as ancient gods are introduced seemingly on a whim, and backstories with some of the antagonists are shoehorned in as the viewer tries to make sense of what is happening.
Furthermore, the English voiceovers are not the best. With all these factors taken into consideration, this makes Guardians of the Lost Code best for fans of anime, and for those already familiar with the original folktales on which this movie was inspired.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about anime. How is this film different from other anime movies you have seen? Are there any similarities?
What did you learn about Mexican folklore and culture?
How are the themes of "dreams" and "belief" incorporated into this story?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 5, 2013
- Cast : Alondra Hidalgo , Jose A. Toledano , Miguel Calderon
- Director : Benito Fernandez
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Synkronized
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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