See the 3-D version...

Rating: 7/10 (19 November 2004)

An amazing film -- when you see it on an IMAX screen in 3-D.
Though the film is somewhat lacking in story and not nearly as good as the book (by the same author as "Jumanji"), there are certainly elements of the original story that are faithful to the original theme.
Peter Scolari is resurrected from the 'Bosom Buddies' days of Mr. Hanks' legacy -- though the character he portrays is a dead ringer for Eric Per Sullivan from 'Malcolm in the Middle.'
In the end credits Michael Jeter is the second person listed -- though he died over a year ago -- yet he had only a secondary part so listing him right after Tom Hanks was an homage to who he was; not what he contributed to the film.
From very nearly the first scene in movie (at least in the 3-D version) you will be astounded.
Everyone will have a favorite scene in which the special effects reign; for me it was not the train ride or the slide, it was all the elves ... how the animator could keep them all so individual yet so real.
However, there is too much schmaltz and an obvious striving for a "message" that gets in the way.
"Peter Pan" and other films have done it better: Believe and it will happen.
It has been done and said before -- in better and more entertaining ways.
Not horrible -- but definitely a children's movie.