I watch it every Christmas

Rating: 8/10 (1 September 2011)

Robert Zemenkis is well known for directing some of the greatest live action movies of all time. Back to the Future trilogy, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, but he has also done a few animated movies, and the one most people will point to first is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." And while I do really enjoy Roger Rabbit I have to say that I like The Polar Express more, and I'm surprised that a lot of people dislike it, personally, I watch it every Christmas.
Whenever someone critiques this film, they will mention how the animation on the human's is creepy, almost zombiish. And they are technically right, the eyes are a little weird and the skin is a little too pasty. But remember, this was the first time a full motion capture film was made. Plus it may try a little too hard to be a Christmas classic, I don't really think they needed a song, it's just there to make it more wimsical. Other than that, it's all nitpicking.
Any piece of animation that isn't a human is amazing, it still looks fantastic, the colors, the detail, the amount of stuff going on at the same time. And even though the characters look a little zombieish, I still like them, they're likable, they're funny, and the fact that Tom Hanks plays like half the characters makes this one of the most likable movie's ever made. It's also a really good adabtation, everything from the book is mentioned but they also add fun little additions. Some of it may feel like filler, but I still enjoy it. And it's got a great feel to it, this movie feels like a Christmas movie, and not some cash grab.
I watch The Polar Express every Christmas, I know it's a mixed bag with some people, but if you can get over the aged character design than it's a very enjoyable Christmas film that adds to the book it was based on.