Polar Express

I watched a movie called Polar Express, directed by Robert Zemeckis, released in 2004. It stars Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Eddie Deezen, Peter Scolari and a host of other people. This film is unique in that it is motion-capture, computer animated musical based on the book of the same name written by Chris Van Allsburg. The story is about a boy who doubts that Santa Claus exists until on the night of Christmas Eve, a mysterious train comes to him in his yard, The Polar Express and takes him on a journey to the North Pole. There are other children on board, also taking this journey. What will this doubting boy find there? Will he meet Santa Claus?
I had seen this film when it was originally released in IMAX 3-D, at a time when 3-D was still quite new. I was quite impressed with it because I had only seen this kind of motion capture in video games (small-screen) and in the Lord of the Rings movies, for Gollum. I am a big fan of Robert Zemeckis movies, such as Back to the Future series, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and even as a writer on 1941, Steven Spielberg’s underrated WWII spoof that underperformed, so even though I had no expectations going in, I knew it couldn’t be too bad with Zemeckis doing the directing. I didn’t read the book as a kid though I knew of its existence; it came out in 1985, which was when I was deep into Transfomers and G.I. Joe. I still read books but I don’t recall reading this one.

The movie is really interesting because Tom Hanks plays 6 distinct parts and it’s really interesting to see the difference in characters that he portrays. One would probably think that is over the top for one actor to do in a kids movie like this but it totally works because they are distinct but with that Hanks accessibility and charm. Some of the motion-capture can get into uncanny valley territory in some scenes, though to be fair it must but it can be a bit frightening looking at the kid’s faces on the train and they look like polished dolls. This movie also has the distinction of being Michael Jeter’s last film and is dedicated to him. The music score is done by Alan Silvestri, who does a magnificent and epic job, as always. The musical numbers are catchy and some are a bit schmaltzy but it is a kids movie so it is forgivable in some ways.

Overall, it is a very well made movie that will tug at your heart and is one of those comfy Christmas movies that really reinforces Christmas spirit and what it means to believe in the season and what is important to hold on to. It is a journey of growth for the doubting boy and the audience as well.
Find it and check it out.