The Polar Express

Name: The Polar Express
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Family
Released: November 10, 2004
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Michael Jeter, Tom Hanks

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 247 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 247 Ratings

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The Polar Express

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: November 10, 2004 | TV-PG

Starring: Michael Jeter, Tom Hanks

Summary: When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Family

Rating: TV-PG

Runtime: 100 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Duane Byrge

A story that soars with breakneck pace but slows in all the tender moments. Visually, this train ride is both majestic and edge-of-your-seat. Read full review

Desson Thomson

A truly satisfying holiday picture, the kind everyone can enjoy. Read full review

Chris Kaltenbach

Like the coolest train set a kid ever had. It's not real and the faces on the toy people don't look human, but it has bells and whistles galore and will take you as far as your imagination allows. Read full review

Shawn Levy

A genuinely handsome film, and it tells a story that is well worth knowing. It's a kind, gentle and sweet holiday confection. But my Christmas wish is that the DVD comes packaged with the book. Read full review

Premiere Jessica Letkemann

The Hanks overload feels like The Polar Express is "Being John Malkovich" transmuted into a computer-generated 21st-century children's Christmas film. Read full review

Ed Park

When it comes to the "humans," the atmosphere collapses. Unnervingly smooth, mouths moving in strange, even frightening formations, the Polar people are the least convincing things on-screen, glaring impostors amid the otherwise painstakingly rendered scenery. Read full review

Peter Travers

The result is a failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong. Read full review

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User Reviews

MichaelF.

Jul 6, 2006

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

OscarOrNot

Mar 12, 2012

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

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

EnaB.

Dec 17, 2007

Wonderful. Magical. A Holidays classic.

8 of 8 users found this helpful

[Anonymous]

Feb 22, 2008

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

cbeers2513

Dec 20, 2013

The Polar Express has the magic to become a holiday classic but is marred by technical bugs and plot failures. While there are countless memorable moments on the train, its passengers fail to leave any impact on an emotional level. All of the children are bland and ghostlike, and only Hanks'The Polar Express has the magic to become a holiday classic but is marred by technical bugs and plot failures. While there are countless memorable moments on the train, its passengers fail to leave any impact on an emotional level. All of the children are bland and ghostlike, and only Hanks' conductor provides a spark of life into the movie. However, the spirit of Christmas in this film is nearly unrivaled in Hollywood, possessing an instantly likable sense of innocence and charm that is extremely refreshing. The atmosphere, sense of wonder, and overall theme are what powers the movie forward, propelling it above its flaws into a memorable experience for all ages. While it is not at the top of the holiday wish list, it is able to scale the mountain through its undeniable charm. In short, this is one train you should get on board.

7.5/10

Follow me on twitter. @cbeers2513… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

sebastianali

Jan 12, 2020

Bueno, a esta película le tenia muchísima nostalgia, pero que se le va a hacer. El Expreso Polar se podría decir que cumple con lo básico en cuanto a película navideña, pero sin aspirar a nada mas. Tiene una animación decente, y buenas canciones, pero el resto de cosas no son loBueno, a esta película le tenia muchísima nostalgia, pero que se le va a hacer. El Expreso Polar se podría decir que cumple con lo básico en cuanto a película navideña, pero sin aspirar a nada mas. Tiene una animación decente, y buenas canciones, pero el resto de cosas no son lo suficientemente satisfactorias de ver. La historia en general se siente muy alargada artificialmente y no todos los personajes son tan explotados, siendo el único que destaca es el conductor del tren. Algo que El Expreso Polar hace realmente bien son en cuanto a las moralejas que enseña sobre la navidad, son muy buenas y tiene bastantes! Asi que si realmente estas metido en todo esto del espíritu navideño esta película realmente te gustara, aunque si eres mas neutral en todo este tipo de cosas, pues, no parecerá la gran cosa, ya que no ofrece nada mas aparte de lo mas básico que es ser una película navideña. Las mejores películas navideñas no solo destacan por ser eso, sino también porque tienen una buena historia aparte con la que defenderse.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nickb.

Dec 24, 2005

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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18	#18 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
12	#12 Most Shared Movie of 2004