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Polar Express, The (2004) Rank 2 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Polar Express, The (2004) a score of 2.8325 out of 4
based on (317) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(83)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(140)
Good
2
Good
(81)
Fair
1
Fair
(11)
Poor
0
Poor
(2)
Reviews by Score:
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.49 out of 4 stars for Cinopsis Cinopsis
Un jeune garçon rêve aux clochettes du traîneau du Père Noël. Croyant les entendre teinter, il se rend compte que ce n'est que son père qui joue avec sa soeur... Cela ne fait que renforcer ses doutes car, à l'orée de l'adolescence, il doute de ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Cinopsis
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.45 out of 4 stars for Plugged InPlugged In
Christmas Eve. While idealistic, Santa-believing tots dream sweetly of sugar plums or listen intently for the patter of reindeer hooves, one preteen is kept awake by the drip, drip, drip of his own growing cynicism. We know this because he skeptically ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Plugged In
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
There is wonder for us to cherish, courtesy of a spectacular visual sense. But there are also moments that deliver shock and awe instead, sequences of such exhausting, turbocharged jeopardy that it seems like we've wandered into a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Accept the process Zemeckis and Hanks have chosen and the journey they take you on is wondrous. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
My first response was that I had just seen the world's first Christmas horror movie. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for IGN Movies (Jeff Otto)IGN Movies (Jeff Otto)
Outstanding visual effects struggle to overwhelm a flawed film. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at IGN Movies (Jeff Otto)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Orlando Weekly (Violet Carberry)Orlando Weekly (Violet Carberry)
Seeing it may not become an annual tradition, but the children in your life will still be happy that you took them. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Orlando Weekly (Violet Carberry)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Designed to ensure good dreams for every viewer, it should be a Christmas standard from now until, at least, the next democratic president is elected. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Des Moines Register (Jeffrey Bruner)Des Moines Register (Jeffrey Bruner)
Robert Zemeckis has taken Chris Van Allsburg's beloved book and transformed it into a painting of breathtaking beauty but also an animated tale that's stilted and stiff. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Des Moines Register (Jeffrey Bruner)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
Despite some technical pizzazz, this flick ends up leaving viewers as cold as the North Pole itself. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Watching it is sort of like being slammed over the head for 105 minutes with a mallet made of marzipan. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine (--)Empire Magazine (--)
...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Empire Magazine (--)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice Magazine (Kim Williamson)Boxoffice Magazine (Kim Williamson)
Once one looks away from the people to gaze at the gorgeous landscapes and fabulous objects, one feels transported by the film. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Boxoffice Magazine (Kim Williamson)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.33 out of 4 stars for El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)
Este auge del mundo de la animación está pero que la mar de requetebién, y la generada por ordenador ya no digamos. Para tirar cohetes. Pero bueno, siempre que los avances en la técnica y su presentación visual no conlleven un descuido en lo ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.28 out of 4 stars for CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)
Mancano cinque minuti a mezzanotte. La mezzanotte della notte di Natale. Un bimbo non riesce a dormire. E' la notte più importante, per lui, la notte della svolta: non crede più all'esistenza di Babbo Natale, tanto da non aver voluto scrivere la ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Jam! MoviesJam! Movies
Chris Van Allsburg's children's picture book, The Polar Express, is a magical story about rediscovering the true spirit of Christmas that would make Charles Dickens proud. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Jam! Movies
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Tiscali UKTiscali UK
Undoubtedly one of the strangest animated features in recent times, The Polar Express is a throwback to another world, specifically post-WWII America. Its message, one of insularity and looking after number one, is decidedly contemporary however, and ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Tiscali UK
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.21 out of 4 stars for cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
Creo que, desde la adición de sonido, no ha habido una tecnología que haya tenido mayor impacto en el cine como la tecnología digital. Desafortunadamente, creo que el impacto ha sido más negativo que positivo. La flexibilidad, el relativo bajo ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.18 out of 4 stars for Voir.ca Voir.ca
Polar Express, de Robert Zemeckis, nous entraîne au Pôle Nord en compagnie de Tom Hanks et d'enfants ne croyant plus à la magie des Fêtes. Serez-vous du voyage? Imaginez un conte où les "méchants" ne seraient que des enfants ne croyant plus au ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Voir.ca
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.16 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice MagazineBoxoffice Magazine
Maya. Houdini. RenderMan. Motionbuilder. Splat. It's a bit odd for a film whose intent is to distill the essence of Christmas in childhood terms to rely so heavily on the highest-end computer technology to come to life--as though filmmaker Robert ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.13 out of 4 stars for Xi-online (Julie Ng)Xi-online (Julie Ng)
Ooit was er een wijze conducteur die tegen een van zijn passagiers zei: "It doesn't matter where the train is going, more important is to make the decision to get on." Laat dit nu net de conducteur zijn die een stel kinderen in The Polar Express meeneemt ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Xi-online (Julie Ng)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.02 out of 4 stars for Cinema 2000 (Eurico de Barros)Cinema 2000 (Eurico de Barros)
Um rapaz a quem tem sido dito repetidamente que o Pai Natal não existe continua a acreditar e vê a sua convicção recompensada quando acorda uma noite para descobrir que um comboio a vapor chegou para o levar e a outras crianças em direcção ao ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Cinema 2000 (Eurico de Barros)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Newsday (John Anderson)Newsday (John Anderson)
Watching the dead-eyed population of Polar Express and their supposedly 'natural' movements made me think more of Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" than anything associated with Christmas. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Newsday (John Anderson)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Moving Pictures @ Cin3maMoving Pictures @ Cin3ma
This film is based on a popular children's novel. I saw the teaser over a year ago in a film marketing class given at USC. Now, I thought the train was nice to see, but had absolutely no clue as to what the plot was about. The teaser was clearly made ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Moving Pictures @ Cin3ma
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Insights (Soh Yun-Huei)Insights (Soh Yun-Huei)
It's hard to imagine a Christmas movie being termed creepy, and an animation to boot but The Polar Express has the dubious honor of being termed one. Is it because of the mode of animation? Perhaps director Robert Zemeckis spared no expense (US$165 ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Insights (Soh Yun-Huei)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
This labor-intensive, high-tech, multimillion-dollar enterprise suffers in ironic contrast next to the spare elegance of Van Allsburg's oil pastel storybook. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for KidzworldKidzworld
Based on the children's book by author Chris Van Allsburg, Polar Express comes to the big screen in a computer animated movie about the true meaning of Christmas. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Kidzworld
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for IndependentCritics.com (Jacob Hall)IndependentCritics.com (Jacob Hall)
I recall reading the storybook "The Polar Express" many years ago, perhaps when I was in the first grade. Even as a young lad, I didn't care for the story. It struck me as boring and unoriginal. Sure, it LOOKED pretty, but there was very little ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at IndependentCritics.com (Jacob Hall)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Nehring The EdgeNehring The Edge
My four-year-old son loved this film. I was ambivalent. He’s usually a better judge than I am about such things however. This is a rarity these days. Hollywood has released a family film without poop, pee, fart or belching jokes. Amazing. There’s no ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Nehring The Edge
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
It's too mechanical in its perfection and too driven and premeditated in its attempts to impress us to muster the warmth and good cheer for which it's also striving. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Many will hail this as a classic, but a better bet for seasonal cheer would be a screening of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians under the influence of spiked eggnog. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Anyone older than, say, 10, might have trouble hearing the Christmas bells. That doesn't make you a Grinch -- just a true believer in good storytelling. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
While the 29 pages of [Van Allsburg's] mini-classic would have made a superb half-hour TV special, Zemeckis and writer William Broyles Jr. have created a steroidal monster with a heart about one size too small. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Bangor Daily News (Maine) (Christopher Smith)Bangor Daily News (Maine) (Christopher Smith)
More like Night of the Living Dead. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Bangor Daily News (Maine) (Christopher Smith)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Visually, taking its cues (mostly) from Van Allsburg's Hopperesque art, The Polar Express is eye-popping. Storywise, however, it can be eyelid-drooping. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Except for children, who might find this a breathless gift, the film's personality is defined by its locomotive: showmanship. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
As a general rule, I like to keep my Christmas fables Steven Tyler-free. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Detroit News (Tom Long)Detroit News (Tom Long)
Zombies have their place, but not in Christmas movies. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Detroit News (Tom Long)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
Its single best scene...comes courtesy of the vastly superior, similarly themed, thirty minute UK animation, "The Snowman." ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
The film’s only fatal failing is its inability to make any of the characters seem real. Most of them are downright creepy in their doll-like inexpressiveness. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Kvikmyndir.com (--)Kvikmyndir.com (--)
...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Kvikmyndir.com (--)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.comfilmcritic.com
The first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of Robert Zemeckis’ digital banquet The Polar Express draw inspiration from Chris Van Allsburg’s wonderful Christmas novel of the same name. Beginning with the late-night arrival of the ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at filmcritic.com
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)
Robert Zemekis’s computer-animated The Polar Express is based on the picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, writer-illustrator of such beguiling picture books as Jumanji. Unlike the 1995 adaptation of Jumanji, which had almost nothing in ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Perhaps there’s magic in Chris Van Allsburg’s popular children’s book “The Polar Express,” but if so it’s been pretty much eradicated in its translation to the screen. Robert Zemeckis’ elaborate CGI adaptation, which uses a process dubbed ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
In a word, it’s soulless. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
Roger Zemeckis teams up, once again, with Tom Hanks (“Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away”) in an experimental animation that is the first genuine foray in what is dubbed Performance Capture. The technique is a quantum leap from the method used in giving ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
Tom Hanks makes like Peter Sellers by playing a half-dozen characters in The Polar Express, a computer animated film version of Chris Van Allsburg’s adored 1996 short story. But be warned: When I say “computer animated,” I don’t mean the good, ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Here's what clout can get you: If anyone other than Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks were involved in making a film version of "The Polar Express," no one would suspect for a minute that it would be any good. The children's book it's based on is something ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
n a scene from What Lies Beneath, Robert Zemeckis's camera zooms toward Michelle Pfeiffer only to suddenly back peddle and drop into an imaginary crawlspace beneath the floorboards of her character's house so the director can capture the actress's ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Slant Magazine
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for filethirteen.comfilethirteen.com
All aboard for creepy CGI people, contrived sentimentality and a wrong-headed Christmas message that totally ends up defeating the film. Yes, boys and girls, it's "The Polar Express," and this is one Christmas ride from Hollywood that may better be ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at filethirteen.com
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Deseret News, Salt Lake City Deseret News, Salt Lake City
You may wish the makers of "The Polar Express" had gone a different route with the animation in this new film — perhaps more like "The Incredibles" did with stylized human caricatures. As it is, the attempt in "Polar Express" is to make ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for ShowBIZ DataShowBIZ Data
Speeding down the tracks perilously close behind last week's The Incredibles, Warner Bros.' Polar Express is opening today (Wednesday) in advance of the Veterans Day weekend. As with The Incredibles, much of the critical attention focuses on the film's ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at ShowBIZ Data
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
A Christmas pic set in the 1950s that is strictly for the tykes and those adults who crave the newest in groundbreaking IMAX techie wonders, not caring a lick if the story is lacking a strong human element and is a real snoozer. I thought of it more as ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Film Freak CentralFilm Freak Central
Robert Zemeckis' The Polar Express seems to be the culmination of a lot of his weird obsessions: his celebration of middle-class Aryan heroes; his tendency towards the tense and anxious; his love of casting an actor in multiple roles; Tom Hanks; Eddie ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Film Freak Central
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Toronto StarToronto Star
...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Toronto Star
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
The Polar Express is a deeply confused Hollywood rendering of childhood innocence by way of computer-generated roller-coaster thrills. With Chris Van Allsburg�s short, gorgeously illustrated children�s book as its source, Robert Zemeckis� ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
The Polar Express tries to get by with charm—the charm of its admittedly astonishing visuals, the charm of its origins as a children's bedtime favorite, and the charm of its simplistic feeling of the Christmas spirit—but sometimes it takes a little ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Variety (David Rooney)Variety (David Rooney)
This visually impressive yet emotional frigid fable could perhaps more accurately be tagged "The Bipolar ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Variety (David Rooney)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The Onion (A.V. Club) (Keith Phipps)The Onion (A.V. Club) (Keith Phipps)
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. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at The Onion (A.V. Club) (Keith Phipps)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
Sorry Tom. Sorry Robert. We're just not there yet.The effects ofThe Polar Expressare sometimes stunning, as when dealing with inanimate objects, such as the titular train. But, as anyone who has seen the trailer can attest to, the human ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
The film's characters, computer-animated over motion-caputure footage of flesh-and-blood performers, are as blank-eyed and rubbery-looking as moving mannequins -- the stuff of nightmares, not dreams. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Boston Globe (Ty Burr)Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Zemeckis and Hanks really seem to think they&#146;re giving us a Christmas movie for the ages and a technology that will change cinema forever. They&#146;re wrong on both counts. The Polar Express is merely a marvelous toy that has somehow become ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Many moviegoers may find its colors and effects delightful enough to make the experience a thrill. Look beyond the tinsel, though, and you may be disappointed. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The Onion A.V. Club (Keith Phipps)The Onion A.V. Club (Keith Phipps)
The umpteenth major special-effects breakthrough to arrive this year, The Polar Express brings a multitude of computer-animated Tom Hankses to the screen to spread some digitized Christmas cheer. Shot entirely in a 10'-by-10' studio space using ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at The Onion A.V. Club (Keith Phipps)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
A young boy waits breathlessly in a darkened room, ears straining under the covers for the first tinkling sounds of Santa’s sleigh bells. The radiator sizzles and steams, the hall stairs creak and the snow gently falls to the ground, but no sleigh ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Peter SobczynskiPeter Sobczynski
When someone consciously sets out to make a Classic Christmas Film, the results tend to be fairly dire-manufactured whimsy and sentiment never comes off as well as the real thing. "The Polar Express" is just such a film-it wants to be the most enchanting ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Peter Sobczynski
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Village Voice (Ed Park)Village Voice (Ed Park)
When it comes to the "humans," the atmosphere collapses. Unnervingly smooth, mouths moving in strange, even frightening formations, the Polar people are the least convincing things on-screen, glaring impostors amid the otherwise painstakingly rendered ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Village Voice (Ed Park)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for 7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)
“The Polar Express” is based on the classic children’s Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg, who brought us “Jumaji.” I’m a little too old for it to have been a classic Christmas story from my childhood, and my kids are a little too young to ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at 7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)
The first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of Robert Zemeckis’ digital banquet The Polar Express draw inspiration from Chris Van Allsburg’s wonderful Christmas novel of the same name. Beginning with the late-night arrival of the ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)
Some books aren’t meant to be made into movies. This is one of them. Several years ago, Chris Van Allsburg, drew a picture book, 32 pages long with a slight story and brilliant pastel pictures which delighted the eye. The wonders of computer animation ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for BBC FilmsBBC Films
On Christmas Eve a sceptical boy (Tom Hanks) awaits a fat man in a red suit when an enchanted train pulls up below his window and a mysterious conductor (Hanks again) invites him to a shindig at the North Pole. He climbs aboard to join a shrewd little ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at BBC Films
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for ShowBIZ Data (--)ShowBIZ Data (--)
...read the complete Polar Express movie review at ShowBIZ Data (--)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for MovieWeb (Sean O'Connell)MovieWeb (Sean O'Connell)
Zemeckis would rather perfect the breathtaking journey of a lost train ticket than craft an accurate human response to a child’s face-to-face with St. Nick ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at MovieWeb (Sean O'Connell)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Film Snobs (Jimmy O)Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
A film creepy as it is uncreative, The Polar Express creates a filmmaking experience that gives us Steven Tyler as a singing elf. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
It is a cold, distant and failed experiment, with a molasses-mired plotline and an obvious moral forced upon us like a mug of bad eggnog. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
The film's tone alternates awkwardly between slightly haunted, bittersweet nostalgia for childhood innocence and an aggressive, antic cheer that smacks of trying much too hard to convince everyone they're having fun. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
All the shiny images in the world can't hide the emptiness of the narrative. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Las Vegas Mercury (Anthony Del Valle)Las Vegas Mercury (Anthony Del Valle)
It takes major issues of belief and loneliness and (implied) child abuse and turns them into a Hallmark card. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at Las Vegas Mercury (Anthony Del Valle)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
Zemeckis had a chance to do something truly wonderful. Instead, he slaps together something depressingly mediocre. ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.50 out of 4 stars for musicOMH (Shawn Fitzgerald)musicOMH (Shawn Fitzgerald)
Based on the hugely popular children's book of the same name, written by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is the tale of a young boy who has become disenchanted with Christmas, in particular Santa Claus. He may only be about ten years old, but the ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at musicOMH (Shawn Fitzgerald)
Polar Express, The (2004) scores a combined 1.50 out of 4 stars for New York Magazine (Logan Hill)New York Magazine (Logan Hill)
Strap yourself in and try not to vomit, because this is more of a theme-park event than a movie—Pirates of the Caribbean in reverse, a wild ride stripped of its story, down to a rattling series of obvious, underwhelming effects. Robert Zemeckis takes ...read the complete Polar Express movie review at New York Magazine (Logan Hill)
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Movie Reviews: Animation
Polar Express, The (2004) Reviews
Polar Express, The (2004)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
2.8971
Polar Express, The (2004) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.8325
Polar Express, The (2004) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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