"The Polar Express" (2004)

Rating: G

Genre: Animation, Drama, Kids & Family

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Written By: Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles

In Theatres: Dec 10^th, 2004

Runtime: 100 minutes

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Summary:

Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for "The Polar Express," an adventure based on the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. 

Review:

This movie is fine…I watched it a few times as a kid but I was never particularly enthralled with it. I think it drags a bit too much and there are a lot of moments and issues raised that I have to question. For example, the idea that each child gets on this train with no questions asked. – Not exactly the best advice for kids to be picking up, now is it? I know it’s a fantasy and obviously make-believe and magically inclined, but even so. 

On that note also, there is a very perplexing scene in which Hero Boy (the lead child) talks to a hobo (voiced by Tom Hanks) on top of the train. No context, no hesitation, no…necessity. It’s just…weird. And on top of that he declares that he’s the owner of not only the train, but the whole North Pole as well. I don’t know about you but I’d say he had a few too many hazy days… For Hero Boy to sit down with him is ludicrous. Plus, they were out in the freezing conditions of the North Pole! In his PJs! He’d get pneumonia or freeze to death before they ever found Santa. Come on writers! What is this? Logic just took a big hit here. 

Tom Hanks voiced six characters in the film. He was the voice of the Grown-Up Hero Boy, the Father, the Conductor, the Hobo, Scrooge, and Santa Claus. It’s the third film starring Tom Hanks that is directed by Robert Zemeckis; the first being Forrest Gump (1994) and the second being Cast Away (2000). 

There is a song about Hot Chocolate that is sung at some point during the film. What in the world was that, could anyone tell me? Crew members enter the carriage in a furore of tap dancing, issuing hot chocolate to each of the children in the most outrageous over the top fashion. Maybe it’s because it’s a children’s movie, and kids might enjoy this sort of musical montage with flashy colours about a wonderful drink they all love – but in all fairness, what exactly did it do for the story?! It’s just so random and out of context…And the song isn’t even good! It’s ridiculous with only a handful of words, if even that. It just doesn’t work at all. 

I never realised this before but the main character's name is never mentioned in the movie, he is simply referred to as Hero Boy. In fact, none of the kids’ names or crew member aboard the train are mentioned, bar Billy, the Lonely Boy. We just know him as Hero Boy. 

The glitches in the story aside, the animation and the making of it is quite impressive. Listed in the Guiness Book of World Records 2006 as the "first all-digital capture" film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture. The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the physical performances of the actors before "skinning" them with their animated forms. All the children's roles were acted by adults using oversized props to get the movement right. They are hyper-realistic which I personally found a bit creepy if I’m honest, a bit off-putting. I don’t think I’m the only one though.

The attention to detail is something to be marvelled at as well as the technology. From the flashy set pieces to the fact that each ticket has 1225, being the model of the train as well as the date December 25^th, Christmas Day – I think it’s impressive. 

I never realised this before but the main character's name is never mentioned in the movie, he is simply referred to as Hero Boy. In fact, none of the kids’ names or crew member aboard the train are mentioned, bar Billy, the Lonely Boy. We just know him as Hero Boy. 

Maybe deep down there is a sweetness to this children’s flick. After all it is a Christmas Movie at the end of the day and they’re pretty hard to hate. I think you really have to want to see it though. You have to believe as the film forcibly teaches us. You have to believe. 

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