The Polar Express (2004)

All Critics (196) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (110) | Rotten (83) | DVD (28)

As a complete package, Zemeckis' surreal, hallucinogenic adventure is pretty inconsequential.

February 9, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

Strap yourself in and try not to vomit, because this is more of a theme-park event than a movie -- Pirates of the Caribbean in reverse, a wild ride stripped of its story, down to a rattling series of obvious, underwhelming effects.

January 16, 2005 Full Review | Comments (2)

Logan Hill

New York Magazine

Top Critic

A failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong.

December 10, 2004 | Comment (1)

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

A truly satisfying holiday picture, the kind everyone can enjoy, and which may even restore a little lost childhood in many adult viewers.

November 12, 2004 Full Review | Comment (1)

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Without a trace of real live people, you get special effects that are not special, visual talking points without personality, virtual reality that is anything but real.

November 11, 2004 Full Review

Rex Reed

New York Observer

Top Critic

Faithful to its source but stretches it to the snapping point.

November 11, 2004 Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

The best kids' holiday movie in years.

December 28, 2010 Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Even when you look past the unnecessary dangers that the dehumanized child characters in "The Polar Express" experience, you're left with a hammered-home theme that says you must believe in a lie to be satisfied on a personal level.

April 19, 2009 Full Review | Comments (4)

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

...an enchanting movie for children, and it even began to grow on this cranky adult after the third or fourth viewing. (3-D/2-D Blu-ray Edition)

November 2, 2008 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

A CGI marvel, but the characters are about as warm as the setting.

January 25, 2008 Full Review

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Nearly as much a movie advocating a belief in Santa Claus as a belief in the real existence of CGI animated characters, the film is at once mystifying and uninvolving.

March 23, 2007 Full Review

Prairie Miller

Long Island Press

Cynics will sneeze in shock; children, young and old, will cuddle up and dream along.

April 1, 2006 Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

More like Night of the Living Dead.

December 25, 2005 | Comment (1)

Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

The animation looks like an oil painting come to life and the overall viewing experience is awe inspiring.

December 2, 2005 Full Review

Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal

...might better be called The Bipolar Express, with so much that is sweet and light on the one hand and so much that is tiring and humdrum on the other.

November 8, 2005 Full Review | Comment (1)

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

• 1. Conductor: Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.
  – Submitted by Andrew M (5 months ago)
• 1. Hero Boy: At one time most of my friends could hear the bell. But as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found, one Christmas, that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me... as it does for all who truly believe.
  – Submitted by Dann M (17 months ago)
• 1. Conductor: One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they're goin'. What matters is deciding to get on.
  – Submitted by Dann M (17 months ago)
• 1. Santa Claus: This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas, as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.
  – Submitted by Dann M (17 months ago)