|
The Polar Express (2004) 6.5
Ratings:
6.5/10 from 68,340 users
Metascore: 61/100
Reviews: 412 user | 177 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. Director:Robert Zemeckis |
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Polar Express (2004)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
Coraline
(2009)
Animation
|
Fantasy
|
Thriller
Director:
Henry Selick
Stars:
Dakota Fanning,
Teri Hatcher,
Jennifer Saunders
Adventure
|
Fantasy
|
Animation
Directors:
Patrick Gilmore,
Tim Johnson
Stars:
Brad Pitt,
Catherine Zeta-Jones,
Michelle Pfeiffer
Brother Bear
(2003)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Directors:
Aaron Blaise,
Robert Walker
Stars:
Joaquin Phoenix,
Jeremy Suarez,
Jason Raize
Ponyo
(2008)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Stars:
Tomoko Yamaguchi,
Cate Blanchett,
Matt Damon
My Neighbor Totoro
(1988)
Animation
|
Family
|
Fantasy
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Stars:
Toshiyuki Amagasa,
Paul Butcher,
Noriko Hidaka
Spirited Away
(2001)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Stars:
Daveigh Chase,
Suzanne Pleshette,
Susan Egan
Return to Never Land
(2002)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Directors:
Robin Budd,
Donovan Cook
Stars:
Harriet Owen,
Blayne Weaver,
Corey Burton
The Sword in the Stone
(1963)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Comedy
Director:
Wolfgang Reitherman
Stars:
Sebastian Cabot,
Karl Swenson,
Rickie Sorensen
Dragon Hunters
(2008)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Directors:
Guillaume Ivernel,
Arthur Qwak
Stars:
Vincent Lindon,
Patrick Timsit,
Philippe Nahon
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Director:
Klay Hall
Stars:
Lucy Liu,
Mae Whitman,
Anjelica Huston
Kiki's Delivery Service
(1989)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Family
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Stars:
Minami Takayama,
Rei Sakuma,
Kappei Yamaguchi
The Cat Returns
(2002)
Animation
|
Adventure
|
Comedy
Director:
Hiroyuki Morita
Stars:
Chizuru Ikewaki,
Yoshihiko Hakamada,
Aki Maeda
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tom Hanks | ... | ||
| Leslie Zemeckis | ... |
Sister Sarah /
Mother
|
|
| Eddie Deezen | ... | ||
| Nona Gaye | ... | ||
| Peter Scolari | ... |
Billy - 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
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. What unfolds is an an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
Taglines:
Don't miss the holiday film of the season. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
10 November 2004 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience See more »Filming Locations:
Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA See more »Box Office
Budget:
$165,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$28,995 (Hong Kong) (17 December 2004)Gross:
$665,426 (USA) (28 December 2012)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Hero Boy: On Christmas Eve many years ago I laid quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets, I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear: the sound of Santa's sleigh bells.
See more »
Written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman
Performed by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Listed in the Guiness Book of World Records 2006 as the "first all-digital capture" film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture. See more »Goofs
Know-It-All states that the train is a Baldwin 2-8-4 locomotive built in 1931. The Polar Express was modeled from plans of Pere Marquette 1225 which is a 2-8-4 type built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1941. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Hero Boy: On Christmas Eve many years ago I laid quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets, I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear: the sound of Santa's sleigh bells.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The production company credits are covered with snow and ice. See more »Soundtracks
"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)"Written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman
Performed by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
See more »
It was astonishing to read the lead in review. The complaint laid forth by the critic that the director's view of the North Pole and Santa's workshop did not reflect his, too bad. Maybe the critic could do better but it's doubtful. As for the line that the Elven town looked like something out of a German city, so what? Didn't many of the concepts of Christmas begin in Germany? My family (two seniors, a twenty year old father, his 3, almost 4, year old son) loved it. The colors were brilliant. The number of elves dancing, singing, and rushing to create an entrance for Santa was outstanding. Santa, himself, proved to be exactly as he should. Intelligent, sturdy, and kind. His reindeer, just as impressive. Forgetting the North Pole and remarking on the rest of the movie, how well done! The artwork, just great. The excitement, our grandson was out of his chair and standing while holding onto the chair-back of the row in front of us. There were scenes that could have seemed somewhat scary for a youngster, he didn't find them so. He laughed several times out loud, had his eyes glued to the screen when something serious seemed to be happening, loved the entire movie. He wants the DVD for Christmas (he will have to wait a year). He also told us that he wants to see the movie once more before Christmas. Out of the mouth of a three year old, his favorite movie.
How can a critic want to re-design that? All because he didn't like the city at the North Pole.? I guess he was looking for buildings made from peppermint sticks. To each his own. As for the three adults, we too were amazed. We went for our grandson. We enjoyed it so much, we applauded (as did others in the theater). It will be easy to return for a second showing. And, the DVD, this family will be buying more than one. My summary states that this was the best Christmas story ever made (put on film, actually), we think it was more than that. It surpasses other great animated films. Once purchased in a DVD format, Toy Story will be relegated to the back shelf, even during the middle of summer.