The Polar Expressmovie | 2004 Apr 2026

I give this movie a solid 3/5! Much of this is to reflect the main character's thoughts and doubts about Santa, but still... it could have been about 15 minutes shorter. [5.1]

The film is most famous for its use of early motion-capture technology. For some, this created a breathtaking, dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly mirrored the original book's illustrations [5.6, 5.12]. For others, the hyper-realistic but slightly "off" human characters fell straight into the , with critics describing them as having "lifeless eyes" or appearing like "ghostly" versions of real people [5.2, 5.4, 5.18]. What Reviewers Often Highlight

Even critics of the character design often admit the backgrounds and action sequences—like the train skidding across the ice—are stunning technical achievements [5.2, 5.17]. The Polar ExpressMovie | 2004

Ultimately, many viewers agree that while the animation hasn't aged perfectly, the film is a for a holiday tradition, especially if you can get past the "eerie" look of the characters [5.10, 5.17].

Despite technical gripes, the film is widely praised for its emotional depth and its message about the importance of believing, often anchored by Josh Groban's iconic song " Believe " [5.6, 5.8]. Community Perspectives I give this movie a solid 3/5

Are you planning on watching it for the first time, or is it a for you?

A major talking point is that Tom Hanks played six different roles , including the Conductor, the Boy's Father, and Santa Claus [5.18, 5.21]. Most reviewers praise his versatility, though some feel it makes the film feel a bit "small" [5.2]. What Reviewers Often Highlight Even critics of the

The Polar Express is criminally underrated. It has its fans, but critics were split... some of the shots look off but it never takes me out of the movie. [5.7]