Guardians of the Lost Code

Movie review by Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Guardians of the Lost Code Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Overly complicated Mexican anime has some scares.

NR 2013 90 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Guardians of the Lost Code is a 2010 animated feature from Mexico. There are some mild scares throughout the movie that could be a bit much for younger kids, but the biggest concern overall is in the difficulties in following the overly complex storyline. While the Mexican folktales on which this film is based are explained through a montage over the first ten minutes, the story is then placed in a modern setting in which characters travel through time and regions of the world, meet various good and evil gods, and must rescue the world and restore faith and belief in magical beings called the Brije. The ambition in the movie leaves everything a bit unfocussed, and coupled with the overall poor quality of the English voiceovers, this one is best for kids interested in anime, and kids and families already familiar with the basic story on which this is based.

Community Reviews

coco media
coco media Adult
July 23, 2015
age 12+

Bad movie

How do i describe this movies? Because its all bad. The story is boring, the comedy is weak, and the voice acting are very bad. I dont know my kids will like it. They said to me that the movie is boring, and my older son said, why is that girl has pointy breasts? I was like really?? The art designer of the movie, drawn pointy breasts on 13 year old girl name Atzi. She seem to be braless. But theres no nipple was seen, only the pointy outline on her breasts that could be her nipples.. They should be a shame of themselves. Teaching kids that going braless is awesome. Give her some undergarment or something to cover her breasts.. i know its fiction but you cant tell girls that go braless is good.. you encourage rapist. Thats why this is a bad movie

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 1 parent review

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

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon magic wand on orange background
    Magic and Fantasy
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate