The Book Was Better

Rating: 2/10 (15 October 2019)

I don't care much about the film technical qualities - some people like them, some don't. My problem with this movie is the story. It stinks. I understand that they had to expand the story, but they did that very badly. They practically destroyed the beauty and magic of the original story.
Addition of Billy made it a story of entitled children. Poor, lonely kids can't expect anything even from Santa.
Hero Girl was just a reminder of that non-white males just have to work harder and be self-reliant to succeed, they cannot expect any help from others.
Because of Billy and Hero, the conductor seems like an a-hole.
Even Santa looks like a giant jerk.
And on top of it all, the movie says that if children don't believe in Santa, they get a magical train trip to North Pole. So, when children don't believe in Santa, and see this movie and DON'T get a magical train trip to North Pole, it's just further evidence of that the whole story is humbug and stories and just a huge big lie.
It was unfair. It was nasty. It was making injustice obvious and acceptable. Of course the white rich boy would get the first gift of Christmas, EVEN WHEN HE WASN'T REALLY THE MC FROM THE BOOK.
So. no. The only way for a person to think this is a great movie and wonderful and promotes Christmas, is if one is a white, entitled person.