Polar_Express

The Polar Express

Thoughts:

Afterthoughts:

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm going to see this movie for exactly two reasons. One, Josh Groban is singing the end title track and I love Josh. Second, a friend asked me to go with her to see it. Her reason? See number 1. Well, and both of us love Tom Hanks, so make that 3 reasons.

I've heard everything about this movie from, "It's wonderful!!!" to, "Little Jimmy couldn't sleep for weeks after it!" so who knows if it'll be fun or freaky. Computer animated humans have always creeped me out a little because their shapes are just too geometric, too shiny, and there's no life behind their eyes. They're like animated balloon animals.

The animation does look impressive. The train might even put the Hogwarts Express to shame, but it's not as impressive as WETA folks' work on Gollum. After watching the trailers, though, I understand why my sister's teacher told her to sit in the 5th row center on the floor of the theater during some scenes. Maybe I shouldn't eat before I see this.

Unlike the rest of the population my age, I never read this book when I was little. Fairy tales and movie novelizations were more my speed (which should explain some things). I have no idea what happens or how it's going to end, but it looks like it could be fun!

This movie would rock in IMAX.

As it is, it's pretty fun. There are enough roller coaster-style scenes to fill a theme park with rides and they're realistic enough that I had to cover my eyes and resist the urge to raise my arms up over my head during some of them. That's right. I'm 24 and I had to shut my eyes during some parts. Yes, I'm a wuss. Your point...?

The animation was very lifelike. The kids' mouths didn't quite form words correctly, but that's a minor technicality. The characters themselves were adorable. The 3 main kids are absolutely huggable. The conductor is a little freaky sometimes (remind me never to piss off Tom Hanks), but he's pretty cool most of the time.

The scenery is pretty humdrum until the train gets to the North Pole. Woo! Now, THERE'S a place I want to live! Gorgeous tall buildings, but the town doesn't make you feel claustrophobic. It's brightly lit, music playing every where, and it has a huge town square with a massive Christmas tree in it that would give Rockefeller Center tree-envy. I could handle a little sub-zero weather for that kind of a neighborhood.

There were elements of the story that didn't make sense, though. For instance, this little kid is walking on the roof of a train going a hundred and fifty thousand miles an hour in the snow and doesn't slip and fall off. Oh, it gets better. While he's up there, he has a little coffee break with the train's own hitchhiker. On top of that, the hobo straps on a pair of skis and tries to get the kid to the locomotive before the train hits the token tunnel. Before they make any headway, they slip backwards and almost fall off the caboose. So, why didn't they just climb down and ride out the tunnel in the caboose, then try and continue their Olympic bid for the locomotive? Yes, I know I'm applying too much logic to a kids' story, but a wee bit of believability wouldn't go amiss here.

My Advice:

See this movie in IMAX if you can swing it. If you can't, take my sister's advice and go see it in a normal theater, but sit really, really close to the screen...around the 4th or 5th row. Everyone will enjoy it. My eyes were as wide as saucers for most of the movie, so it's definitely worth the price of an evening show.