Rotten
People in Hollywood should never work with children or animals, W.C. Fields once said. Maybe that should be expanded to hyper-realistic computer-generated children and reindeer, too.
David Germain, Associated Press
The Polar Express
A journey like you’ve never imagined.
2004 · 1h 40m · G
Adventure, Animation, Family, Fantasy
Directed by
Robert Zemeckis
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The Polar Express
Overview
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Director and cast
- Robert Zemeckis Director
- Tom Hanks as Hero Boy (Adult)/ Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus
- Leslie Zemeckis as Sister Sarah / Mother
- Eddie Deezen as Know-It-All
- Nona Gaye as Hero Girl (voice)
- Peter Scolari as Billy / Lonely Boy
- Michael Jeter as Smokey / Steamer
- Josh Hutcherson as Hero Boy (motion capture)
- Daryl Sabara as Hero Boy (voice)
- Jimmy Bennett as Lonely Boy (voice)
- Tinashe as Hero Girl (motion capture)
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
55%
Tomatometer
Rotten
As a spectacle, The Polar Express looks remarkable. As a film, however, it's the equivalent of an elaborately wrapped Christmas present containing a nice new pair of socks.
Keith Phipps, AV Club
Rotten
Tom Hanks (in a number of roles) and the other actors do a nice job of voicing their parts, but the waxy animated faces they've been given are off-putting.
Bruce Diones, New Yorker
Fresh
At some point very early in the 3-D IMAX version of The Polar Express, technology trumps banality and you helplessly surrender to the shock and awe of this big, often thunderous movie.
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Fresh
Director Robert Zemeckis once again harnesses a new technology to an engaging fable in this digitally animated adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's holiday tale.
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
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