IMDb > The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express
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The Polar Express (2004) More at IMDbPro »

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The Polar Express (2004) -- A boy's fantastical train journey to the North Pole
The Polar Express (2004) -- GameCube, GameBoy Advance, PC, PS2
The Polar Express (2004) -- On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.
The Polar Express (2004) -- On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.
The Polar Express (2004) -- On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   25,003 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Chris Van Allsburg (book)
Robert Zemeckis (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Polar Express on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 November 2004 (USA) more
Tagline:
Journey Beyond Your Imagination more
Plot:
On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(207 articles)
User Comments:
Enchantment, thrills, spectacle...looks great on DVD... more (379 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
more
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.00 : 1 more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Hero Boy has a pennant on his bedroom wall of the Milwaukee Beers. The Beers are the main team from BASEketball (1998). more
Goofs:
Factual errors: 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. more
Quotes:
The Conductor: [singing] Here we only got one rule / Never, ever let it cool / Keep it cooking in the pot / Soon we got hot chocolate! more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Rockin' on Top of the World more

FAQ

What is the name of the instrument the Hobo is playing on the roof of the train?
What are the various formats on DVD?
more
54 out of 71 people found the following comment useful.
Enchantment, thrills, spectacle...looks great on DVD..., 22 November 2004
9/10
Author: Neil Doyle from U.S.A.

On the one hand there are many delightful moments in THE POLAR EXPRESS, not the least of which is the entire look of the film--appealing in a way that great illustrations of children's books always are to young and old. Tom Hanks and the others enter into the spirit of the whole thing with gusto--and all the performances are right on target.

On the other hand, much of the film is an excuse to dazzle with roller-coaster-like rides on the express train that roars across various landscapes making wild leaps and turns, all the while thrilling us with a sense of adventure and excitement. For the very young, the ride might be a scary one, especially when the daring young hero rides atop the train during a blustery snowstorm.

Things barely quiet down once the destination is reached at the North Pole. Still there are dangers lurking and the thrills continue with some amazing photographic tricks that can only be done in this new process of computer generated animation.

And to add a cozier touch to the proceedings, certain famous Christmas songs are interjected at intervals to give the North Pole--and the film--a warmer glow.

All in all, quite an imaginative and innovative achievement--impressive enough to assure its place among future Christmas favorites with unlimited appeal for the young in heart. The message of Christmas is lightly hinted at but when Tom Hanks as the train conductor tells the little boy, "The true meaning of Christmas is in your heart," we can be assured that children everywhere will definitely "get it".

Visually, it's a stunner. I didn't see it on the IMAX screen where I imagine it really knocks your socks off, but at a multiplex where picture and sound were impressive enough to convey just how advanced special effects technology has become. There is much artistry involved here, especially when the night scenes of the train's fast-moving travel through a blustery snowstorm capture some rich winter landscapes, including a frozen lake that threatens to demolish train and passengers before danger has passed. The camera-work is continually fascinating as is the artwork involved.

A pity there couldn't have been more of a story in the children's book which is the source--but the artistic visuals are the main source of entertainment here and they are superb. The busy background score by Alan Silvestri is reminiscent of works by John Williams. Although none of the sprightly song tunes are particularly memorable, there is a wistful quality to one of the new Christmas ballads sung by the children.

P.S. - I have just watched it on DVD, a year after writing the above review--and it's definitely a keeper--just as wonderful as you could want, an amazing technological achievement that should delight all ages who can still hear that bell! Tom Hanks, as the conductor, is my favorite character--brilliant job.

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