Review of The Polar Express (2004) by I Don't Know W — 20 May 2011

Before we begin, let me just say I remember going to the theater with my class to see this movie, and back then, I loved it. I loved its characters, the story, and I loved how you actually felt like you were on the polar express itself.

I watched it several times after that, and I loved it just as much. But now, after seeing this movie again, it doesn't hold up as much. The characters are unique, but few are likable, the story is cool, but not great, and the train ride wasn't as adventurous as I remember.

However, there is one thing this movie does perfectly, and thats the constant dilemas. This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole 100 minute run time because there's always something going on that could affect the main characters in a bad way, and for that, it's awesome, but everything else in the movie is, shall I say it, adequate, and that's coming from a huge fan of both Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks.

Another thing I think is average is the main character himself, who is recognized in the credits and on IMDb as "Hero Boy". He's completly unrealistic. I mean seriously! This kid has no flaws AT ALL.

Some of my favorite characters in movies are ones that aren't afraid to admit they're not perfect, but this kid has absolutly no flaws, as well as no personality. Now, you could make the arguement that he doesn't believe in Santa Claus for most of the movie, but all of my grade school class doesn't believe in Santa Claus, but there's nothing wrong with that.

It's like being an atheist. They look bad, but if they have a good reason for not believe in god, they're not flawed. Same thing with the two other main characters, they, like "Hero Boy", are hypothetical angels.

They have no flaws, they're just little lifeless blobs of happiness and pixie dust. But that doesn't mean the movie doesn't put you in a good mood. This movie does get the magic down, but if it could get everything else down as well, not just kids would enjoy it.

Teenagers and parents would, too. Overall; younger kids will enjoy it for the adventure, but if there's no child under 10 around, you'd probably skip this one, unless you want to get in the Christmas spirit and make yourself feel as if you were a kid again.

But it's still not great.