T’was October 30th, 2004…a revolution in motion capture film came upon us. Yes, it was very weird that a Christmas movie was released during Halloween, but this movie is possibly the most mouth-dropping movie ever. Starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis (director of Forrest Gump), The Polar Express is about a kid taking the train to the North Pole, and while it may seem straightforward, the main character grows as a person by learning about the true meaning of Christmas. I remember seeing this movie on Christmas 2006 (when I was 2) and being entertained from start to finish. While it only scored a mediocre 56% and didn’t make too much in the bank (310.6 million dollars from a 150 million dollar budget), I believe that it was the most mesmerizing Christmas movie ever made. Before I gorge into the visual spectacles of this film, I do believe that this movie suffered from a poor message being conveyed. While this movie was rated G, the message was way too dreamy and fantasy-like for kids. You could argue that it’s a kids movie; however, look at movies such as Toy Story and how it teaches the value of friendship. Other than that, The Polar Express is amazing. The acting from Tom Hanks is one of his best as he perfectly embodies someone who would represent the message of Christmas. The visual effects and sound design are also fantastic because of how they perfectly balance the plot as well as how beautiful everything looks. From every shot of the train to even the facial expressions, it all looks amazing. In the end, I give The Polar Express an A-. Stayed tuned to the Saber Slate for my next review for Home Alone, and as always, have an amazing day.
The Polar Express Review
