An Elementary Teacher is disappointed

Rating: 2/10 (10 November 2004)

For years I have taught an author unit on Chris Van Allsburg. His work is clever, thought provoking and his illustrations wonderfully engaging. So I raced to the the theater on the day "The Polar Express" was released.
I was thrilled when I saw how true to his vision the movie was! Yes, the dog puppet was on the bedpost, for you Van Allsburg geeks. And then it all went bad.
A charming, simple story became silly sequences of Rube Goldberg-like events that served no purpose other than to show off the technology. Needless characters and events were added which only served to bury a beautiful story of belief that reached beyond the commercialization of the season.
So I am really hoping that Chris Van Allsburg sold his rights to any artistic control or I have lost faith in one of my heroes.
I was still verklempt when the movie reconnected me with my fond memories of the book, but it mamde me angry when I stepped out of the theater and said, "I hated it!"
If you haven't seen the movie, don't. Read the book to any kid ... between the ages of 8 and 80.