Movie Review:

The Polar Express

by Lynn B.

Did you ever write letters to Santa? Ever wonder what the North Pole was like? Did you lose that sense of wonder? Maybe you need a dose of Holiday cheer. Here comes The Polar Express.

First, an explanation of what you’ll be watching. Popular Actor Tom Hanks, joined by Nona Gaye, Eddie Deezen, Peter Scolari, the late Michael Jeter, etc. act out their parts against a green or blue screen without props and sets. On their faces are placed up to 150 “jewels” that serve as reference points for the computer wizards who then transform the actors into three-dimensional computer-generated figures each incorporating the actual body motions and facial expressions of the live actors playing them. Tom is then able to play Hero Boy, Boy’s Father, The Conductor, The Hobo and even Santa! Nona plays Hero Girl, Peter is Lonely Boy, etc.

Hero Boy, is getting older and is on the edge of not believing in Santa. He knows there’s no life at the North Pole and that department store Santas are just guys. Then, on Christmas Eve, a rumbling noise turns out to be a magical old-fashioned train which pulls up in front of his house and The Conductor asks him to board for the North Pole. On the train are a lot of other kids in their nightclothes. Confident and kind Hero Girl and Know-It-All-Boy are joined by Lonely Boy who is from the poor side of town.

On their way to the Pole where Santa will hand out the first gift of Christmas to one of the lucky kids, the young travelers are served hot chocolate by some wild, dancing waiters and enjoy the sights. As needed train tickets are lost and found, the kids are tested for good deeds with action that leads them outside and on top of the train where Hero Boy meets Hobo, a ghostlike figure who challenges his belief in himself as the train soars, roller-coaster like down dangerous drops and across a frozen lake, stopping, at one point for a passing Caribou herd.

After scaling tall peaks and plunging into deep valleys, the Express reaches the North Pole, a huge city peopled by tiny elves. After more adventures with his newfound friends, getting lost and finally reaching Santa’s sleigh, Hero Boy is chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas. He chooses, a jingle bell from the sleigh. But, at first, he can’t hear it ringing. Only a belief in the spirit of Christmas will let him hear it. Finally, he does and returns home with new hope.

The look of The Polar Express is, at first a bit jarring. It’s almost photo-realistic but not quite. Then, as you continue to watch the CGI “actors”, they become real. Their expressions are warm and, despite what some critics have said, they do have light and life in their eyes. The landscapes are breathtaking. Snowflakes fall lightly and at just the right pace to make the Winter seem real. The whole film takes the paintings from the much-loved holiday book of the same name and brings them to life. The sound is excellent. You really feel the weight and power of the huge locomotive and, as the young characters travel throughout the train to the engine, it’s great that modern-day children can follow them to see how a real train worked before the big locomotives disappear from the earth.

The original book is very short and I was wondering how the filmmakers would stretch the sparse story to movie length. For the most part, they do a great job by adding characters with whom Hero Boy can bond and share adventure. I did find the adventures to be a bit repetitive (a lot of scenes feature the train or the kids falling down huge inclines and other roller-coaster style action that is evidently calculated to make the film work as more of a ride-format for big 3-D IMAX screens where it will also be screened). There are a few songs that aren’t really necessary but do blend into the story well. Two train engineers are added for comedy and they are amusing if not a laugh riot.

The message of this tale is universal and for all ages. It’s a voyage of self-discovery and a lesson that what is often the most “real” in our world are things which we cannot physically see. Friendship and helping those less fortunate is also in the story stew. In a terrifying time where dreams are often shattered and fear and distrust can distance us from hope and wonder, we need uplifting entertainment. Having seen this holiday film, you will leave the theater with a warm, fuzzy and hopeful feeling and isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to engender in all of us?

This movie is rated G

Official Movie Web Site - http://polarexpressmovie.warnerbros.com/

Pictures courtesy of and copyright Warner Bros.