Swooshing by with elegance and joy in every frame, "The Polar Express" is something of a minor miracle in 21st century Christmas movies - it is actually fun! There is a sense of fun and wonder to it all and, despite shortcomings in the CGI department with face-recognition technology, I still bought the trip and would definitely repeat it.
A young kid lays in bed on Christmas Eve, he is known in the credits as Hero Boy (Daryl Sabara), and suspects that Santa Claus may not exist. His younger sister still believes, but he doesn't. Hero Boy hears something rattling the roof and wonders if it could be Santa's galloping reindeer and those jangling sleigh bells. When he checks the milk and cookies downstairs in his house, they still have not been consumed. Then there is a more substantial rattling and practically the feeling of an earthquake when a train arrives outside his doorstep. It is the Polar Express with its chief conductor (Tom Hanks) asking the kid if he wishes to come on board and go to the North Pole. Reluctantly, he boards this magical-looking train.
Quite a few kids are on board, most still wearing their pajamas and their homes have been personally selected for this magical experience. The destination is the North Pole where they will meet Santa Claus, his reindeer and thousands of elves with a special toy given to one child on the express train. I say express but the train does make a couple of unscheduled stops, like the dozens of caribou blocking the tracks or the dangerous ride through a lake of ice where the railway can't be seen! Heading north will be dangerous with freezing temperatures to boot.
"The Polar Express" is a bit offputting at first with its CGI rubbery faces of adults and children; there is not enough nuance or emotion in their facial expressions. Still, I bought it and was along for the ride. I love the world of the North Pole with its many intricate passageways through its town. I love the giant red toy bag where the kids find themselves in accidentally, or how the elves make their determinations about who is naughty or nice with a final word by the Elf General! I also enjoyed the brief appearances of Hobo who is riding on top of the train cars, looking like some 1930's Depression-Era hobo who has been on this trip before (of course, Hero Boy only imagines he's seeing Hobo who comes equipped with hot coffee and skis).
My biggest compliment to "The Polar Express" is that it makes me wish I could go to the North Pole. It brings back that youthful feeling, the feeling of being a kid again and wanting to believe in the impossible.
