The Polar Express (2004)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers (WGA):

Chris Van Allsburg (book)
Robert Zemeckis (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Journey Beyond Your Imagination

Plot:

On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.

Plot Keywords:

North Pole | Christmas Eve | Christmas | Train | Gift

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Hero Boy / Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus
Leslie Zemeckis	...	Sister Sarah / Mother
Eddie Deezen	...	Know-It-All
Nona Gaye	...	Hero Girl
Peter Scolari	...	Lonely Boy
Andy Pellick	...	Pastry Chef
Josh Eli	...	Waiter
Mark Mendonca	...	Waiter
Rolandas Hendricks	...	Waiter
Mark Goodman	...	Waiter
Jon Scott	...	Waiter
Gregory Gast	...	Waiter
Sean Scott	...	Waiter
Gordon Hart	...	Waiter
Michael Jeter	...	Smokey / Steamer

Also Known As:

The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS | IMAX 6-Track

Certification:

Indonesia:SU | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/4 | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG (Special Edition DVD) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | USA:G (certificate #41220) | New Zealand:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Ireland:G | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:G | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:8 (canton of Zurich) | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

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 over-sized props to get the movement right.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the cab scenes, the controls are backwards. The Throttle should be pulled back to increase speed. Pushing it forward would apply no power to the drivers. Also the Brake handle is pushed away to apply the brakes, it should be pulled toward the engineer to apply them.

Quotes:

Santa Claus: This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas - as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Christmas Movie Quiz (2007) (VG)

Soundtrack:

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Best Christmas movie ever made

It was astonishing to read the lead in review. The complaint laid forth by the critic that the director's view of the North Pole and Santa's workshop did not reflect his, too bad. Maybe the critic could do better but it's doubtful. As for the line that the Elven town looked like something out of a German city, so what? Didn't many of the concepts of Christmas begin in Germany? My family (two seniors, a twenty year old father, his 3, almost 4, year old son) loved it. The colors were brilliant. The number of elves dancing, singing, and rushing to create an entrance for Santa was outstanding. Santa, himself, proved to be exactly as he should. Intelligent, sturdy, and kind. His reindeer, just as impressive. Forgetting the North Pole and remarking on the rest of the movie, how well done! The artwork, just great. The excitement, our grandson was out of his chair and standing while holding onto the chair-back of the row in front of us. There were scenes that could have seemed somewhat scary for a youngster, he didn't find them so. He laughed several times out loud, had his eyes glued to the screen when something serious seemed to be happening, loved the entire movie. He wants the DVD for Christmas (he will have to wait a year). He also told us that he wants to see the movie once more before Christmas. Out of the mouth of a three year old, his favorite movie.

How can a critic want to re-design that? All because he didn't like the city at the North Pole.? I guess he was looking for buildings made from peppermint sticks. To each his own. As for the three adults, we too were amazed. We went for our grandson. We enjoyed it so much, we applauded (as did others in the theater). It will be easy to return for a second showing. And, the DVD, this family will be buying more than one. My summary states that this was the best Christmas story ever made (put on film, actually), we think it was more than that. It surpasses other great animated films. Once purchased in a DVD format, Toy Story will be relegated to the back shelf, even during the middle of summer.