The Polar Express (2004)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers (WGA):

Chris Van Allsburg (book)
Robert Zemeckis (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Journey Beyond Your Imagination

Plot:

On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.

Plot Keywords:

North Pole | Christmas Eve | Train | Christmas | Sleigh

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Hero Boy / Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus
Leslie Zemeckis	...	Sister Sarah / Mother
Eddie Deezen	...	Know-It-All
Nona Gaye	...	Hero Girl
Peter Scolari	...	Lonely Boy
Andy Pellick	...	Pastry Chef
Josh Eli	...	Waiter
Mark Mendonca	...	Waiter
Rolandas Hendricks	...	Waiter
Mark Goodman	...	Waiter
Jon Scott	...	Waiter
Gregory Gast	...	Waiter
Sean Scott	...	Waiter
Gordon Hart	...	Waiter
Michael Jeter	...	Smokey / Steamer

Also Known As:

The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS | IMAX 6-Track

Certification:

Indonesia:SU | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/4 | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG (Special Edition DVD) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | USA:G (certificate #41220) | New Zealand:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Ireland:G | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:G | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:8 (canton of Zurich) | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

Michael Jeter's last movie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When the elves are helping the children out of Santa's sack the elves move and motion as if they are getting the "know it all" out of the sack, but there is no boy between them.

Quotes:

The Conductor: Well, ya comin'?
The Boy: Where?
The Conductor: To the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Polar Express (#11.21)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Deck the Halls

For Goodness Sake

Clearly the reviewers who panned this wonderful film can no longer hear the ringing of the silver bell. I am reminded of the know it all kid in the film when I read these reviews. Some said it was too dark. Too dark? It was set at 5 minuets to midnight.....As I recall its dark then. Another called it ghostly; a condition true of a Christmas Carol, the film is in good company there. While I will admit that the computer motion capture in facial expressions is not as strong as it could be it did not detract from the story. Some reviewers did not like the roller-coaster effects. One even pointed out that trains can not do what this one does.....It's a dream...physics don't count. It is a sad commentary that the meaning of Christmas and belief in it's historically documented magic is so lost on those with access to the press. My review...it's good and it is best if you make up your own mind. I could hear the bell ring and I hope you can too.