Movie: The Polar Express (CH)

I am not a huge fan of Santa, and it really disturbs me how much focus is put on getting kids to continue to believe in him, especially once they get old enough to begin to doubt. It's creepy enough that nice, honest, law-abiding parents devote the first years of their kids' lives to convincing them an ageless fat man from the sky magically brings them presents, but to continue to reinforce the lie when the children begin to move past it seems almost malicious.

I went to see The Polar Express with family over Christmas, including some kids, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The story was well-developed, the characters were interesting and multifaceted, and I had no real complaints (except for the whole Santa thing). Some characters experienced meaningful growth, and there was a strong African-American female that really stole the show. CGI effects continue to improve, although they still can't make hair that behaves like real hair.

Tom Hanks seems to play every adult man in the film, and many of them look like him as well. Tom Hanks is great, and his warmth and sense of humor really shone here.

Here's a funny: I watched this movie right after a Wile E. Coyote marathon; thankfully, the scene in The Polar Express where the kids begin walking on a train track through a dark elevated tunnel did NOT end the way I feared. ;)

This was my first IMAX film, and I would definitely seek out another film on IMAX. The huge screen, plus the 3-D planetarium type effect, makes for an enjoyable moviegoing experience. If you have to watch a film about Santa, The Polar Express has a lot to offer.

Grade: A