A great way to discuss the existence of Santa Claus.

This movie is simply incredible. I loved everything about it, the characters, the storyline, the music. The thing I loved most of all was the incredible visuals. I would definently recommend this movie to anyone who has not seen it.

the greatest job was done on the animation, being very realistic, and the sounds of the train being the most spectacular i ever witnessed in an animation. i enjoyed watching this film, and it is the best animation i have ever seen. it's a 10/10 well deserved.

This movie does what could not be done just 3 years ago: it captures, with amazing detail, the look and feel of a children's book without watering down the story or adding extraneous plot twists to search for time. The soundtrack is great, too, and the acting from the cast is splendid.

Horrible movie that looks great. It was soleless and boring. Why so dark? Why so random?What was the point. To literally believe in something that is not true? UUUggghhh!!!!

It is my favorite Christmas film next to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This is an amazing film. Yes it does have some overreacting when it comes to the girl's love for Christmas. Yes their eyes make them look like zombies. But it was great and it is for you

A remarkable achievement and a classic in the making. The Pixar films are great and fun, but don't remain in memory much longer than their theatrical run. The Polar Express is a film that stays with you and will be a perennial favorite for years to come.

DO NOT TAKE CHILDREN TO THIS!! They could be emotionally traumatized. It is not a happy film, nor full of spirit. It was vacant and full of technology and no love. It hurt me to watch it. I could not wait to leave.

Taking a cue from one of the less jaded critics, I saw this movie (for the first time) in IMAX 3-D. Was I blown away!!! Most of the vantage points in this movie were meant to seen in 3-D. Technical wizardry aside, the movie's art direction was perfect for the story. I believe I have seen the best Christmas movie, live action or not. Tom Hanks is great even in the virtual world.

This is amazing movie with all the sounds and visual effects to match. It's a story for the child that beats inside the hearts of all persons. The movie plays true to the classic children's book and should be a classic movie not just for the holidays, but any day. It will reignite a spark in you that never died out.

This is a magical adventure that is the most beautiful film of its kind I've ever seen.

Boring and strangely lifeless. What a bunch of poor techno-geeks imagine will blow people TOTALLY away ....kind of like a bunch of NASA scientists going into a collective swoon and near cardiac arrest because their Mars Land Rover has just fondled a chunk of Mars debris...sad! They could at least had a few drowning polar bears that Hanks scoops up at the last minute. Basically this film is little more than a "sampler" of special effects for Dreamworks (or whoever) to send around to potential clients as a catalogue of their Neat Special Effects. It's a Marketing tool about Marketing for the Market market. What could be more timely !!… Expand

WOW! Take my word and go see this movie! Ten times better than The Incredibles, even though they don't really compare... I'm going again this weekend! Tom Hanks is great and WOW go and see this on the big screen and then see it in 3-D and then see it again! You'll never get sick of it. I'll watch it every year for the rest of my life!

Good lord, you people are sheep. This has about as much heart as a digitally animated frozen chicken. It's soulless and animatronic all the way through. Read the book if you want some Christmas spirit; this is just a loud, tacky sideshow. Or maybe that's what people want?

Fantastic story and concept! Loved every second and the only slightly negative thing was the odd way the characters moved sometimes (minor).

Amazing...brings out the child in all of us.

A visually stunning old fashioned Christmas film. I loved the book, and I loved the film. See it in 3D!!

This was a great movie. Its good for little kids, adluts and teenagers. My suggestion is see the movie now.

I don't know what the point of the movie was. Where is the story line, plot. I think story telling is a lost art.

This movie must be seen in IMAX 3D to be appreciated. It is the first fully realized fictional story where every scene has a reason to be in 3D. I have a feeling it will be a perennial favorite in IMAX theaters for years to come.

Under-rated! Utterly charming, gorgeous design, exciting action, see it in 3-D. The "actors" are creepy looking at first, but you get used to it.

Pros: amazing visuals, excellent soundtrack, beautiful music, the most exciting, and most touching, train ride ever. cons: elfs look like pedafiles overview: though 4-year-olds might be frightened by the appearence of the elves, this is the greatest holiday movie up to date. An instant classic.

Verry good movie couldnt not have been better for a christmas andmatied movie.

Exhilirating in its imagination & point-of-view through a child's eyes. Mesmerizing.

THE POLAR EXPRESS tells the story of a boy who's lost all faith in Santa, but, is thrusted into a magical world where "seeing is believing." Though it may take a few viewings, this film is some very good material. It took me a grand total of 3 times to truly absorb it all. It's not confusing... it's all just so... curious. A ghost bum on a train, show stopping musical numbers and possibly creepy animation ; how does all of this fit into the picture book narrative of Chris Van Allsburg's picture book? Don't ask me but in the hands of Zemeckis and Hanks it all seems to gel into an enthralling holiday experience. Overall: B+… Expand

Perfect in every way, except for the "cameo" appearance by Steve Tyler of Aerosmith. What was Zemeckis thinking?? That horrible misjudgment aside, this film is pure movie magic.

EXCELLENT MOVIE! Saw it in 3D and I was blown away. Wonderful movie! LOVED IT and LOVED the Book!

I find it suprising that so many people have complained about the lack of sentiment in this film. I found it very touching and magical. I loved every second of it. The new motion capture teqhnique has produced a dazzling display of what can only be described as "oil paintings come to life." I congragulate all who have worked on this film. It is a sure-hit Christmas Classic that will be enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY!!!!!! Go and see for yourself... "Seeing is Believing."… Expand

Instant Christmas Classic. The whole family will love this movie, it has something for EVERYONE! I can't wait to see it again, next time in 3-D!

Pretty darn bad. The worst Christmas film since 1985 trainwreck with elves, SANTA CLAUS, starring Dudley Moore.

They should have rated this PG. My 4 year old son loved the storybook, but was frightened about 45 minutes in and we had to leave. It really has a spooky feel. The tvguide description of the moving as the thing of nightmares, not dreams is surprizingly accurate. The human characters are escpecially creepy. I think the movie is really aimed at 10 year old kids who are having doubts about Santa, not for the entire family. Perhaps I should have suspected this, but was convinced to give it a try by its G rating. I would also have to agree that many of the technologically stunning didnt seem to have much meaning to them. Just action for the sake of action. … Expand

I enjoyed the visuals, but the story seemed to lack some depth even for a children's movie. I gave it an 8 though, mainly because it kept my 8 year-old entertained and he really seemed to enjoy it.

I'm a cynical 40ish Father with 3 small children. We all loved this move. I don't belive in much, but I got a lump in my chest when Santa showed up. The story telling and presentation were wonderful and a tribute to the book.

The book was perfect. The movie...not so much. Visually stunning, but a tad tiresome. Plenty of opportunity to take a trip to the bathroom, refreshment counter, etc.

I always tell myself that I will not go to see a ?kids? movie during the day. But I always think, it will be OK. So I saw this movie at 3 in the afternoon, along with a theater full of kids. And, of course, I am sitting right in front of the only kids in the theater that are screaming, talking, and kicking my chair. It was horrible, so I moved, but half way through the movie, the mother of these children got fed up with them and decided to leave, only to return a few minutes later and sit right behind me. Next kids movie is the late, late show. Anyway, the first half of this movie was the best action animation I?ve ever seem. It was spellbinding and beautifully suspenseful. I even thought about sneaking into another theater after it was over just to watch it again. But after the halfway mark the movie goes on a quest to be memorable and tear-jerking, only to leave me empty. From the moment where the young boy starts to sing off the back of the train, it?s over. Still entertaining, but the end of the magic. Don?t get me wrong, the first half is well worth you time and money. The main reason why the end did not thrill me was because the animation, as far as human expression goes, was less than par. The movie utilizes a new type of animation, which is good for everything, except the facial expression. Everyone was the same, every emotion the same. Tom Hanks does his best to show off his different voices, which is OK, but irritating. … Expand

Not for kids ! Period. Left them confused and baffled. Adults will like it but PLEASE RE RATE this thing so no more kids are scared! M-a-n-y left crying.

Another computer-generated family is also opening this holiday season, the magical train ride of a movie called ?The Polar Express?. The movie was filmed with live actors using ?performance-capture?, which was used to create Gollum in ?The Lord of the Rings?, but that was one character amongst real actors and other special effects. Here, we have all real actors re-animated. The process, however, is almost irrelevant to the film?s magic. A young boy whose name is never mentioned is starting to sleep on Christmas Eve. Consciously, his belief in Santa Claus is dwindling. Just as night is falling, a loud locomotive comes by his doorstep. He takes a step outside to check it out and is asked by the conductor (Tom Hanks) to hop on board. Realizing the magical coolness of the situation, he wisely steps on board and his adventure begins as they set forth to the North Pole. On the train he meets several characters that will become prominent later. There is the Hero Girl, who seems to be much too optimistic about Christmas to be put in with this pessimistic bunch. There is also Lonely Boy, who probably comes from a poorer family that hasn?t had the funds to buy him big things which has likely led to his dislike of Christmas and the artificiality that comes with it. Finally there is Know-It-All, voiced by the squeaky Eddie Deezen, who is somehow able to use his 46 year-old voice appropriately on a 9 year-old boy. After brief introductions, there is a spectacular musical sequence about serving hot chocolate. Hero Girl notices Lonely Boy in the back car and saves a cup of hot chocolate for him. She leaves her all-important ticket at her seat and Hero Boy runs back to give her the ticket. He slips and loses the ticket as it is blown out of his hands, flies off the train, through a pack of wolves, into an eagle?s mouth, out of the eagle?s nest, and under the locomotive. There is also the Hobo (also Hanks), who reveals to the boy many facts about life and growing up and aids him in getting back to the front of the train to give the girl her ticket back. He is one of a few little creepy parts of the film, but usually the best of holiday family classics have some sort of haunting element to them. Like in ?Wizard of Oz?, as Dorothy has both to lose her youth and do away with a wicked old with and unfriendly flying monkeys. Another spellbindingly amazing sequence comes at Glacier Gulch, which has to be seen in an IMAX theatre to be fully appreciated (albeit the $14 admission). As the train approaches a mountainous peak, they must take a 90-degree railed plummet to the bottom of the mountain. The computer-generation seems best put o use with the little things rather than the big, like the when the conductor punches holes in the tickets. As they finally each the North Pole, we see what must have the most epic, romantic vision of the North Pole ever. It is viewed as a colossal, brilliantly-lit city. With elves finishing the very last of the presents and unveiling the super towering gift bag that nearly falls upon one of their own elf friends. Santa Claus (also Hanks), logically, is some sort of combination between corporate CEO and a fair-giving socialist. In simple, this is a fun ride, but complexly it is a magnificent achievement of storytelling. It is an episodic ride in terms of the screenplay, but it is a magical whole. I can usually feel magic when I see it, and with ?The Polar Express?, it is no different. I remember when I quit believing in Santa Claus, and it was a disappointing brief moment (I was still spoiled with presents), but it represents a moving from your pre-adolescent fantasy to growing up into the pubertal mundane. … Expand

Aweson magic. Perfect Christmas story for the children. Brings great memories from you childhood. The whole family loved the movie.

A wonderful delight!

Great Christmas Movie For The Kids And The Train Waz Frekin Awsome Going Down Steep Hills Like That Whew That Would Have Been The Thrill Ride Of My Life.

This is one of those viewing experiences where, being a good grandpa, or at least trying to be one, I went with my two grandsons to see ?The Polar Express?. To hedge my bet (and I?m glad I did), we went to The Bridge where the movie was playing in 3D at its IMAX theater.. Most readers will probably see this movie on a regular screen since there are only 3 other IMAX theaters in Southern California where the film is playing in 3D. Hopefully other viewers will have the same positive experience I did. I really was prepared not to like the film having read reviews where the ?eyes of the characters looked the deer in the headlights of your car? etc. Who cares. This is a wonderful film and filled with magic and mush, good mush, and Xmas songs performed by Sinatra, Crosby and Como and a wonderful ?I Believe? sung by Josh Grogan. Tom Hanks is terrific and Robert Zemekis who co-produced, directed and co-wrote the film is also entitled to many praises. It?s a kid?s movie that adults will identify with and love. I felt so good after seeing the film and those in the theater applauded loudly and long. Believe me, I did not expect my reaction to be so positive but the film really did a lot for me and made me really identify with and appreciate all the good things about the holiday it intended to convey. Well written, directed and acted, it deserves and gets an 8. Bring a kid to see the movie, especially that little girl or guy hiding inside you. … Expand

I took my almost four-year-old grandson to a preview of this movie. He didn't know the story and neither did I. The animation is wonderful -- so far surpassing anything that I've ever seen. But the story is just one big chase after another with lots of action that defies physics (people on top of a train going at top speed with nary a hair out of place; outside in frozen places with skin uncovered...). It was beautifully rendered, using something called "performance capture" but what was the point? The children on the train all get to the North Pole and see Santa and the elves. That's pretty impressive evidence! What's NOT to believe? Maybe those kids don't have enough imagination! Anyway, the story is somewhat lax, but it's still worth seeing, compared to other movies for children this season. I do hope they improve the human faces in the next generation. They were pretty creepy -- they looked like porcelain dolls and the eyes were, well -- lifeless. We've been watching Barbie in two different videos -- and I have a real pet peeve. They don't show the tongue moving between the character's lips. There must be a problem with this, because it's happened on pretty much all the films I've seen with our grandkids. … Expand

I give this three "C" for creepy, cold, and charmless. It's all about belief, but not belief in Jesus, or even something like love or friendship. It's about belief in Santa and the promise that you'll find mucho goodies under the tree on Christmas morning. The "poor boy" says Christmas has never meant much to him -- presumably because he's never gotten much on Christmas. At the end of the movie he ecstatically embraces Christmas in the form of a giant present. That's the kind of Christmas any Grinch can steal.… Expand

Good holiday film for all ages. The visuals were good and the acting very well done. The storyline seemed tied down to sliding, skiing, sleding, movement type actions which seemed a little old by the time we get to the North Pole however, and the Steven Tyler elf at the end could've been eliminated all together IMO. Now to address the whole "creepiness" feel of the characters...the eyes are then window to the soul gang. Artists, work on it! Again, nice movie with some good stuff for everyone. And, BTW, all of you out there who looked at this movie and Santa as nothing but commercialism need to learn how to "believe" yourself. You miss the whole point of Santa Claus to begin with.… Expand

That was cool.

In our house, the movie completely captivated it's intended audience.

It made me cry cuz it didn't make any sense.

The Polar Express is interesting in it's conception, creative in it's execution and charming in many small but meaningful ways. Others reviewers have zeroed in on the technical flaws and limitations of attempting to adequately capture human emotions in animation, especially in eyes. Technology can always be improved upon and, in time, those limitations that exist in this films will likely be overcome. Where Polar Express shines is in the ability to convey the simple yet oft-forsaken idea that wonder, belief, trust and friendship are compatable with adulthood and maturity. The idea that belief, not just in Sanata Claus or the North Pole or elves but in one another, in family and in friends is as vital an element in life as breathing, eating and sleeping. To dismiss this film as a technological wonder or a paean to childish dreams is to close one's mind to the deeper meaning found within the story. It isn't mindless feel-good entertainment nor is it ideologically-laden cinema art. It is a reminder that anyone with the desire can find hope and honesty if only they allow themselves to believe. In the grans scheme of things, perhaps that's not such a bad discovery to make, especially if one has grown jaded and cynical as they have aged.… Expand

Great family movie. Best Christmas movie I have seen possibly ever. My young children loved it, as did I.

One of the best animated features of the past year, charming and visually stunning, one of the best Christmas movies ever made, it has majesty and overall grandness that reassures a grand aventure with the dazzling polar express.

This movie is great for the whole family to watch with all aspects covered like laughter, heart-warming moments and even some action here and there.

This movie has wonderful graphics, but that's about the only enjoyable part. When I went to see this, I was extremely dissapointed and it was torture sitting through the later half. The producers spent way to much time and money on the graphics and didn't focus on any other parts, The story-line--for me--was scattered and hard to follow, though you may find it otherwise. The characters were hard to relate to and emotionless. Some parts were even scary and not appropriate for small children. Pretty much the only happenings in this movie was that the little boy got on a train, went to the North Pole and came back. And that's the whole movie.… Expand

I couldn't even watch the first 20 minutes. It was so bad. I quit watching after the part with the train over the frozen lake sliding part/finding the ticket. When were those parts ever in the book? The book was awesome. This movie is nothing like the book. Not even close. I had a great childhood and I remember growing up as a kid I used to read the book with my parents. After watching this garbage movie it made me want to throw up. If you want to see a good film with excellent animation go and see the Incredibles or Monsters inc.… Expand

Ridicule me if you like, but this is what I saw. The golden ticket that belongs to the black girl gets loose and takes on a life of its own, just like the feather from "Forrest Gump". The 1995 film, as you know, is famous for its conservative right-wing undercurrent, so I found it curious that the girl was removed from the general area of the train, and made to sit by herself. The golden ticket also reminded me of "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Let's pray the people behind that project goes the live-action route. The children in "The Polar Express" look so creepy, but some of the visuals are truly jaw-dropping. … Expand

Bah Humbug.

Excellent Visuals and a wonderful Ride. All family members enjoyed it including my 4 yr old son. As to the sheep comment. That tells a lot about that review. I would highly recommend seeing this on the screen. The eagle scene is impressive to say the least.

In the life of an overexhausted working mother, I want to thank Tom Hanks and crew for making a G movie where my 2 and 4 year old could escape and dream with me. Nothing can replace the look on my son's face as his eyes opened wide and started to shine as the Polar Express chugged up that beautiful moon-lit mountain. Thank you creators! You are awesome. And thank you for the line about Santa being a "symbol" of all that Christmas is about. … Expand

It is a nice x-mas movie with a pleasant storyline that young childrend and adults will like. The graphics is that maked the movie stand out from a typical x-mas movie.

Okay I admit I haven't read the book. I went to the theater expecting a sweet holiday story and some great animation. The animation was quite good, although I'd rate The Incredibles better on that front. What disappointed me was the endless stream of "hair-raising action" as the Polar Express swerves, spins and narrowly avoids disaster after disaster, including a bridge that looks ridiculously like a really bad roller coaster. It gave me a headache after a while (something else it shares with The Incredibles). All this in service of a tale with a gaping hole in it. It's supposed to be a story about a boy struggling to hold onto childhood beliefs. The boy gets picked up by a magical train, taken to the North Pole, loaded onto Santa's sleigh and in conversation with Santa Claus himself and somehow he still isn't sure if he believes! Shouldn't it be about the struggle to believe even when you have no direct evidence? This kid is confronted with so much evidence that believing is easy as pie, and not believing just seems stupid.… Expand

I find reviewers' reaction to this film and their comments say a lot about the kind of person they probably are inside. After watching this amazing movie, I was glad to discover that I am an emotionally healthy and alive human being. I am both the adult i am now and the 8 year old kid I was 46 years ago. I had tears running down my cheeks. Absolutely wonderful movie.

It could have been better for a child movie even more that it's a pretty short movie. I think that the wors where the animation that somtimes was not realistic.

Bad, Bad, Bad! I agree with those that say, don't take kids. It was mean, ugly and hearltless, with a sicko message that hope is found in believing that a made up person will give you the material objects that your family can't. I agree with Nancy. The cruel joke that the movie plays on the poor boy who is finally learning that his life is not a fairy tale and that he is poor and that that is OK as long as he accepts it. But no! the movie says he is wrong to be realistic and sensible. He should "believe" more in a lie that will stunt his emotional growth for a few more years and make him resent his poor family for not giving him big presents. So santa is "god" and material objects are the reason christmas exists. This movie insults all religions and spiritual orientations equally. But it is not just the message of greed and delusion that makes it bad, it is that it is randon and mean-spirited. Like so many readers noted, there was no story. The boy gets on, the train goes north, random unrelated things happen that make no sense and do not make you care at all about the people and then the train gets there, the boy gets a present, and then he comes home. So what happens next christmas? Does he go again? Does santa have to give him a bigger gift or he will think he got dissed? What if the boy went to meet Marilyn Manson and got a gift, would we all want him to "believe" in MM for the rest of his life. So when a kid loses his "believe" in the idea that he gets free things from a fictional character, we should all be sad for that person? Good christmas movies are about human values and choices and recognizing what is important. This movie was a creapy effort to sell a sick and harmful message.… Expand

This Movie successfully captures the wonder and magic of Christmas. I don't care if it promotes false truths. Most who hate this movie have forgotten what it was like to spend Christmas as a child and can therefore not connect with this movie. While it is simplistic in its plot and has excessively busy visuals, it doesn't take anything away from its spirit. My only complaint would have to be the elves that are introduced at the end of the film... Creepy.… Expand

The best christmas movie of the year. way to go, Robert Zemeckis. you were fantastic making this huge hit.

Exquisite animation brings the world of the beloved children's book to life, while a suitable script and excellent voice acting take care of the rest. Polar Express is great from beginning to end.

It is a Christmas classic that you will remember forever. The Polar Express stretches the true meaning of the season with an amazing story that you will never forget.

Let me start with a tip: Wait until Christmastime to watch this movie! The whole film is based on Christmas and the North Ple. The visuals are amazing and the characters act realistic. The story almost feels "random" at times, but has its great points. Great around Christmas, pointless before or after December!

The Polar Express at times is visually dazzling, but the character animation is bland and boring along with the voice performances. It has a nice and sweet message and moments of awe but the film lacks an extreme amount of fun. I give this movie 46%.

Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what is about this movie, but all the characters freak me the hell out. They were talking and walking, but they appeared completely dead. The music was excellent and the story was not that bad, but everything was just strange.