The Polar Express (2004) Review

There have been very few Christmas films in the last twenty years that’ve had any impact in the way that ‘The Polar Express’ has. The motion-capture animated film was way ahead of its time in comparison to other animated films at the time.

Seriously though; HOW IS THIS FILM TWENTY YEARS OLD?! I saw it in opening weekend and I very much enjoyed it.

The story is about a young boy who is on the verge of no longer believing in Santa and Christmas. That is until one Christmas Eve night, a train comes to take him on a magical journey to the North Pole.

There’s much to enjoy about this film from the acting (Tom Hanks providing the voice to most of the main characters) to the beautiful soundtrack from Alan Silvestri (the ‘Hot Chocolate’ scene still holds up and is one of the highlights in the film).

However, as much as I like to sing the praises for this film- and I have been for twenty years- I think the only downside in watching this now is mainly that the animation- once the standout of the film at the time- now looks a bit janky by today’s standards.

Over all, it’s a excellent film to watch on Christmas Eve with the little ones.