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The Polar Express
By J. Byron Dean 

Release Date: November 10, 2004
MPAA Rating: G
Starring: Tom Hanks
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Animated, Family, Fantasy

Every year someone tries to make a Christmas Classic... either by creating a film from a new script or by doing a remake of a tried-and-true old classic.  How many times, and versions, have we all seen of A Christmas Carol?  From hundreds that follow the original story to such re-vampings as Bill Murray's Scrooged.  Yet with all the attempts, there are few successes.  Until 2004!  Yes, this year Warner Brothers and Tom Hanks will take you on a magical fantasy that is new, exciting, captivating and perfect for the whole family.

The Polar Express is the story of a young boy who is beginning to doubt the reality of Santa Claus and the whole Christmas story.  Trying hard to believe, we see that he is sadly beginning to doubt all of it.  But when his parents come into his room to see if he's awake (while we see that he's only pretending to be asleep), the boy's mother comments on how she recalls when he'd still be up in anticipation of Santa's arrival and his father says that the magic is going away.  He's getting older and with it comes the adult view of there being no such thing as a Santa Claus.

The young boy lies awake, thinking of what his father has just said, until his sleep-heavy eyes close and he drifts off to what he believes will be just another Christmas Eve night's sleep.  Suddenly, he is awakened as his bedroom begins to shake violently. He jumps out of bed to see a huge locomotive pull up right outside his front door.  With no tracks to carry this vintage train called the Polar Express, it stops right in front of his home and a tall, mustached conductor (Tom Hanks) steps out and yells "ALL ABOARD!"

Once on the train, the boy finds there are other children sharing the ride and he is the only one who doubts it's really taking them all to the North Pole.  On a tight schedule, the conductor says several times that he's never been late, the Polar Express takes us on a wild and exciting ride across frozen terrain in order to reach the North Pole on time. Once there, the excitement does not end as the children race to meet with the most famous man of all... Santa Claus!

To say the animation in this film is fantastic is truly not being just.  There are no words to describe the realism of the characters, from facial expressions to body movements... you weave in and out of feeling as if you're watching a wonderfully done cartoon to seeing a live action film.  The attention to detail is beyond superb.  Every little item is taken into consideration for its exactness... from eyelashes to fingernails, from flowing hair to the lines on the back of the conductor's hands.

Tom Hanks, playing several characters (Hero Boy, the conductor, a hobo and Santa Claus), is recognizable and yet as different as if he were using prosthetics to achieve a new face for each role.  The children are captured fully in both their looks and their mannerisms.  One moment that shows this off in particular is when we first see the train car filled with the children.  As they sing, dance, jump and romp it is as if we are seeing real children in every aspect.  Even those who are just sitting appear to be completely life-like. But the perfection of the animation is not all that carries this film along.  The message is one of hope and love, sharing and giving, friendship and family, trusting and believing.

With original Christmas songs (by Alan Silvestri) sprinkled throughout the movie, the spirit and the joy of the season shines brightly.  A lively dance number done by the waiters as they serve the children hot chocolate is as much fun as seeing a live Broadway musical and Aerosmith fans need to keep an eye out for Steven Tyler as he makes his appearance as an adorable pointed-eared elf!

This fantastic film has something for everyone - whether you want to believe or used to believe.  After you've shared a ride on The Polar Express you will believe in the magic that is Christmas.  And no matter how old you are... come Christmas Eve, you'll swear you hear Santa's sleigh bells ringing as he flies over your house!

For more information on The Polar Express, visit their official webpage at:

www.polarexpressmovie.com

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