THE POLAR EXPRESS (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Polar Express—terrific, don’t miss it—contains enough imaginative, animated effect to entertain children and adults. Well-presented, with great character voicing (especially the voice of Eddie Deezen as the character, Know-it-all), the film is shockingly pleasing and wonderful with each new scene that unfolds. The film performs as one of Director Robert Zemeckis’ best animated movies to the date of 2004. This movie belongs in the permanent home library video collection as a seasonal re-watch. It's classic.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A doubting boy who has nearly decided to cross over the line from belief to non-belief in Santa Claus receives intervention in the form of an all-expense paid trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express train. He waivers as the conductor hollers, “All Aboard!” and then makes the decision that begins the rest of the story as he runs through deep snow to catch a train ride that will forever change his life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Tom Hanks, Chris Van Allsburg, and Jack Rapke for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hero Boy, Father, Conductor, Hobo, Scrooge, Santa Claus (voice of Tom Hanks), Sister Sarah, Mother (voice of Leslie Zemeckis), Hero Girl (voice of Nona Gaye), and Billy the Lonely Boy (voice of Peter Scolari).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a fresh Christmas story with a pleasant re-examination of the value of believing in Santa Claus.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers