Polar Express: OVERRATED

[nile455]

Disney's Incredibles is a much better film if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, the animation (is that what you call it?) in Polar Express is ridiculously good. So good it's literally hard to believe. But as a movie, it is just okay. Good, not great.

And am I the only one who did NOT cry at the end of this movie? I cry a lot at the end of some movies, but why was the ending not emotional to me? I don't get what was so teary-eyed about the ending. Everyone I've talked to said they cried at the end.

 

[JeffH]

disappointed with PE
I expected a Christmas classic from PE filled with special moments and meaning, leaving me crying throughout...instead I was very dissapointed and barely a frog in the throat at the end...and normally it's very easy to get a tear out of me, especially when a child and their parent is involved (like when the gambler/driller/astronaut in Armageddon had his son come running up to him at the end, and of course when Willis wishes his future son-in-law and daughter well before he dies)
The only meaning I noticed was Santa's comment of how if you believe in your heart it will last forever. And the special moment, the dealing with the kid and his bell (not to give it away), was 100% expected. There was nothing special to tie up any of the other kids (aside from the poor kid getting his present...again 100% expected). I even fell asleep during the part just before the kids ended up in Santa's sleigh.
None of the other characters seemed to be developed at all, despite the fact that the story completely ignored the other kids in favor of the main 4.
This "new" 3D animation style was interesting, but nothing better or special...if anything, it was a bit creepy with some faces (the leader girl in particular) too real (like a picture was glued onto the animation.
As far as the story goes, the ongoing unreal jeapardy that the kids encountered made me uneasy (hello, Michael Jackson hanging his kid over the balconey), and didn't really have much meaning. It didn't seem like anything more than a (long) crazy, wild, goofy train ride to see Santa for a couple of seconds.
The only time my daughter seemed to get excited was when Santa was about to show up, but even that was played out so much she sat back into her seat before the big man spoke.

 

[rocketriter]

Was anyone else uneasy about the 1937-Nuremberg-style rally of elves for Santa?

 

[nile455]

Originally posted by rocketriter
Was anyone else uneasy about the 1937-Nuremberg-style rally of elves for Santa?

LOL, I thought I was the only one who noticed that. Hail Hitler Claus!

 

[cindyfan]

Was anyone else uneasy about the 1937-Nuremberg-style rally of elves for Santa?

Yes! Kinda creepy!

Even though I thought the animation was awesome...the train, the "tree" at the North Pole, etc.....
Santa was unattractive and the elves...........As we were watching......I kept telling my DD that those were the UGLIEST elves I have ever seen!! They were just down right evil looking.

I liked the movie.....but was also disappointed that they did not do justice to such a classic book.

Nope....no tears here either....and I cried during "the Santa Clause".

 

[CrazyDreamer]

The only place I've heard any positive reviews of this movie are from people on the DIS. I have no intentions of seeing it, the animation looks almost creepy to me.

 

[Jennyvelaz]

My 3yr old twins liked the Incredibles much better! A movie should be fun and not heavy (and scary-the kids were scared of the runaway train at times). All they got from the movie was that Santa showed up and the kids got presents when Santa comes. The Incredibles at least taught them to get along as brother and sister and not to fight all the time. I prefer the "come together as a family" theme more than this ghoulish deepened holiday movie. Better off reading them this one!

 

[Planogirl]

I guess that I don't agree with some of you. While this movie wasn't the best I'd ever seen, it was exactly the way I expect a Christmas movie to be. Quiet and sweet (except for some rather insane moments on the trains of course). DS kept commenting that the train ride would make a fantastic theme park attraction.

I also loved the animation including many of the people but I guess that's just a matter of taste. The only character that didn't impress me was Santa strangely enough.

I picked up quite a bit more of a message than that Santa gives presents. However, I was confused as to why the little boy hadn't gotten anything from Santa in the past though. Also, how were the kids who rode the Express chosen? In spite of those quibbles, we enjoyed the movie and would like to add it to our Christmas video collection.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I'm with you PG.

Sure, it isn't the greatest Christmas movie of all time, and some of the peril on the train scared my 6 and 3 year old children, but it was a pretty good movie that did a decent job of retelling the story and it's moral. I'll look forward to seeing this Christmas movie as much as any other during the season, after Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life of course.

Given that the book is such a classic I can see how "good" and "decent" fell short, with many people have expected greatness. I went with no expectations and I wasn't disappointed. I also think many of the knocks are a little nitpicky (the animation flaws, non-development of the kids characters who weren't intended to play a significant role, santa). I'd say it's an enjoyable movie if you go in with an open mind.

 

[DisLUV]

I enjoyed the movie. I was a nice story and had some good meaning. I actually got into it more than the incredibles so I guess to each his on!!

 

[stemikger]

Although the computer animation was awesome. A movie is more then Eye Candy. I felt that PE was boring. However, the Incredibles were simply incredible. The story was great and the animation was fantastic. So far it seems Pixar can do no wrong. I loved all the Pixar movies, but The Incredibles is my new favoriate. They definitely kicked it up a notch.

It is a shame Eisner is letting them get away.

 

[Pete W.]

I enjoyed both The Incredibles and Polar Express but they are two different kinds of movies so it's not easy to compare them IMO. Polar Express has many quiet but interesting moments which I did not find 'boring,' and it's nice to see a family movie that doesn't resort to burps, farts and shots to the groin in order to 'entertain' the audience. Thankfully, the Incredibles didn't resort to them either, though maybe they're saving them for the DVD outtakes (like A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2).

 

[Kathy C]

My husband and I went to see PE this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to agree that it was so nice to sit and watch a movie that didn't have violence, bodily functions, etc. I do want to see the Incredibles too.

 

[reedycreek]

i just saw PE yesterday and was mixed about it. i felt there was a plot lacking throughout the movie, and the first hour of the movie (when they are on the train), i just kept wondering where the whole things was going. it evolves very slowly. still, the animation was incredible, yes a bit creepy because it was very life-like. i thought the inguinity of the train scenes was great and the depiction of North Pole was very warm and entertaining. it was basically just a christmas movie, nothing outstanding, but it was entertaining.

i didnt even think about elves being hitler followers. thats a good point. i doubt it was intentional.

 

[reedycreek]

oh and it too bad PE wasnt a disney movie, that would have made for one heck of an E Ride attraction at MK! hopefully, if it does ever become an attraction, it wont be simulator based.

 

[disney-pins]

I didn't think that PE was anything special either. Thought that the animation was too life like, and I definitely thought that The Incredibles was a much better movie.

The only scene in PE that was well done in my opinion was the "hot chocolate" number on the train. the nerdy kid with glasses was down right disturbing. Every time I looked at him I thought of an obnoxious student in my son's school that the kids refer to as "Potter."

JMO...My husband enjoyed it more than me. I was just expecting more than it had to offer. The tie in merchandise at Hallmark is rather boring too. I guess I'm more of a "cutesy" cartoon type of person.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

We enjoyed the movie, DFiance and I went to see it again (well his first time) in Ft. Lauderdale where it is playing in 3D Imax, very cool. I think I enjoyed the music, it was a fun movie. I will agree with some post that it was a little erry, the ghost, the elves were ugly, but overall good.

 

[btass]

Do you believe? Did you hear the bell?

 

[sanibelover]

The movie stunk, but you gotta love the Steven Tyler elf!!!!

 

[Sandy541]

I loved Polar Express. It was a 14 page book made into a standard animated film lenght; however all the words from the book were there and yes, I cried. My 2 year old granddaughter sat through the whole thing mesmerized. She only moved to dip her hand into popcorn. It will be a classic Christmas tale. My regret is Disney didn't do it, they usually do things a little better. Tom Hanks was great. :