Brendon Jones
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
cricketbat
The animation of The Polar Express is superb! The story, however, was much better in the book. The elements they used to stretch out the plot didn't work for me and I wonder how much children will actually like this movie.
paulclaassen
'The Polar Express' is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for being the first all-digital capture film. The animation is awesome, but admittedly due to live action motion capture animation, so not entirely animated. I enjoy watching this film every year around Christmas time, as this is a real feel-good, high-spirited film. I love the characters and the storyline, and there are indeed a number of lessons to be learnt here. For most grown-ups, I suppose, the Christmas bell does not ring around Christmas time anymore, as before.
Animated Antic
A few months ago, I remember walking through the library looking at the movies I could review when I passed by a grandmother and her two younger grandchildren who were about four or five. As I was looking around, I remember one of kids looked in awe at "The Polar Express" and I couldn't help but smile. The film had always been a Christmas staple for me. I remember watching the movie almost every Christmas when I was younger loving every frame of the film. Years passed and I had stopped watching the film by then. This year though, I decided to give the film a re-watch and was happy to find out that I still loved it after all these years. "The Polar Express" might have some dated elements to it, but the things that have held up have held up incredibly well. Here's why I think this is one of my favorite Christmas movies.A young boy (Daryl Sabara) is starting to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. He has been yearning to hear one of the bells that is on Santa's sleigh and starts to think that it may not exist. However on Christmas Eve, a train known as the Polar Express shows up outside his house where a conductor (Tom Hanks) tells him that it's going to the North Pole and he decides to get on board meeting other kids including a young girl (Nona Gaye), a know-it-all kid (Eddie Deezen) and a lonely boy named Billy (Jimmy Bennet). Along the way, the boy goes on a magical journey involving a mysterious hobo (also Hanks), a gigantic heard of caribou, a frozen lake, and a crazy ride through the North Pole itself.Ever since the movie came out in 2004, both critics and audience members have been rather split about the movie. Where critics like Roger Ebert loved it, other critics like Peter Travis hated it. I guess I can sort of understand why people are not fans of the movie, but I really couldn't care less. I love this film and I'll try my best to defend it. Let's talk about the story first. Those that don't like the movie usually say that the movie is padded and filled with too many unnecessary scenes. For those saying that most of those scenes aren't needed, there's a reason why it was included. It was based off a picture book which if properly adapted would be only ten minutes long. The scenes they added I think are pretty exciting and have a lot creativity put into them, but the best part about it was the fact that the message of the film is able to stand tall and is faithful to the book unlike other picture book adaptations. The characters I think are also likable. Usually, I'm against character not having names, but in this case it really works mainly because you at least remember what they look like, have memorable things to say and also stand out. However, the thing that most people are pretty split about is the motion capture animation, particularly on the humans as most find it too unrealistic and sometimes creepy. In my opinion, I don't think that was what director Robert Zemeckis was going for. I highly doubt that he was trying to make the characters lifelike because the technology was, and still is, not up to date yet. Though some areas of it are dated at times, the animation was able to translate Chris Van Allsburg's beautiful animation to the screen perfectly, its backgrounds in particular. I also love the soundtrack of the film. The score by Alan Silvestri is beautiful to listen to and his songs are very catchy and memorable. I also liked the small detail they added of playing old recordings of Christmas carols in the North Pole. As far as flaws go, my only one in particular is some of the dated motion capture, but that's really about it."The Polar Express" is one of my favorite Christmas movie with a fantastic story, good motion capture, memorable characters and some fantastic music to help it stand out. It's one of those Christmas movies that people will just have a soft spot for even if people disagree with you. With that said though, if you don't like the movie, I do respect your opinion. However, I will love the movie for years to come.
roriname
It is about time to stop telling kids lies about the tradition of Coca Cola consumerism Christmas/Santa Claus. This is NO lie that needs to be told to children. Take away the gifts and that Coca Cola Red Monstrosity. Do a movie about that, Hollywood... But it would be harder to sell. I have no problems with giving presents to each others on that particular day but you can give a present to anybody at any day. But THIS is not the purpose of Christmastime. This is not the story why people celebrate. Thus making the movie a really really blant animated fantasy flick. It is just wrong. The interpretation of this time of the year needs to be told for what it actually is - daylight/sun. The movie got nothing going for itself. The voice talent of tom hanks is bothersome. This movie is a stinker all over. A big fat lie told to kids and grown ups too. Jaaaayzus.
