A 90 minute movie adapted from a 32 page picture book. Hard to do, but one of the better accomplished movies that adapted kids books. They didn't stretch too far beyond the story when they did get away from it and when they did, it still felt like it could have been part of the book.
It’s based off an old children’s book. Gorgeous artwork in it. That shot where the train had first stopped in front of the kid is in the book. Beautiful.
"Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound"- That has to be the saddest line in the movie. Growing up sure sucks, doesn't it?
My parents would push Santa Claus but at the age 3 I figured out it was my dad. A course I didn't care who brought the present I just wanted the presents. My favorite Christmas was when I was 7. My mom had passed away 6 months prior and my dad just got out of the hospital prior. All he could afford was two Christmas stockings filled with an orange, candy and a Hot Wheel car. My dad teared up when he said to us this was all he could afford. This is still my brother and my favorite Christmas.
I read the book, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, at a very young age, and it's remained a Christmas favorite of mine ever since, as has the movie. The movie does follow the book and especially its illustrations very closely. The whole sequence in the movie of following the lost ticket is absolutely there as an excuse to recreate the gorgeous illustrations from the book. The only deviations are the action sequences and the additions of Billy, "Hero Girl," and "Know-It-All-Kid," and these are there to stretch the short book's plot to fit a feature film length. Fun fact if you're a train buff; the locomotive in the film is modeled on a real steam engine that has been restored and still runs today, Pere Marquette #1225.
This movie to me feels like the whole Christmas holiday. I'll explain what I mean. The journey to the North Pole feels like the run up to Christmas from the 1st of December to Christmas Eve. When they arrive at the North Pole, it's feels like Christmas Eve. The Elves partying feels like Christmas Day. The journey home feels like Christmas Day night. The kids opening their presents feels like Boxing Day. And finally, the end credits feels like the end of the Christmas holiday.
I sure can relate to your experience riding Space Mountain! I learned from that ride I am not a screamer, I just put my head down, closed my eyes and waited in silence until I felt we had stopped moving.
@@alexachipman I learnt I AM a screamer when I went on Hyperspace mountain in Disneyland Paris but my adult daughter was so terrified she was silent - I had my eyes closed and thought she'd fallen out ! (she later admitted she didnt know it went upside down or we would never had gone on it- she didnt realise what 'inversion' meant when she read up on it beforehand!
My entire 5th grade class and the other two 5th grade classes as well all went to see this film when it was in theaters in 2005. That was very nice and better than the entire middle school after you had the permission slip signed to see Eragon in theaters. None of us really enjoyed it. Also this is based on a children’s picture book so to take something simple like that and turn it into this is remarkable. Tom Hanks plays the adult version of “Hero Boy” (yes that is what our main character is called in the credits), the conductor, the hobo, and Santa Claus.
(The room starts shaking) (Six little people run in, followed by a big glowing head) "Retuuuurn the map!!! Return the map that you have stolen from meeee!!!".
You say here that there should be a theme park based on this movie. For years now, between Thanksgiving and Christmas at many places across the country excursion trains become "The Polar Express", riders are asked to wear their pajamas, golden tickets are issued to board, and many scenes from the movie are recreated by actors as the train goes to the "North Pole" before returning home. Of course, everyone is served hot chocolate and is given a bell.
@@alexachipman One of those trains runs as "The North Pole Express" in Southern Michigan and is pulled by the number 1225 steam locomotive that inspired the writing of the book and served as the model for the locomotive in the movie.
Alexa, if you haven't yet, I suggest you check out the book this film was based on. It's simply wonderful, both in illustrations and the story. I'm often surprised by what you were not exposed to and this is a big one, I gotta say. This book was big in my elementary school.
This kid is infuriating. I'm atheist, and if a train full of ghosts pulled through my backyard, and said they were going to see Santa, even I would be like "well....maybe Santa (shrugs)". Nope, not this kid. "Ghost train yes! Santa? Nope! I'm drawing the line there!".
@@oaf-77 I just mentioned the 2007 because has the same style. Camera, animation, art style, design, and even changing various things from the tale; the scenarios are very well made, with good accuracy with the actual time the story is set. You can even see soldiers using Roman armor, used by early Christians.
🌈👠👠🌽👩❤️💋👨🥰❤️ my Dorothy love this movie and train ride and your looking always still beautiful like our togetherness and love you so dearly us on Christmas drinking hot chocolate by the fire
A 90 minute movie adapted from a 32 page picture book. Hard to do, but one of the better accomplished movies that adapted kids books. They didn't stretch too far beyond the story when they did get away from it and when they did, it still felt like it could have been part of the book.
It’s based off an old children’s book. Gorgeous artwork in it. That shot where the train had first stopped in front of the kid is in the book. Beautiful.
I think I still have that book somewhere.
Your sentiment about Santa and gifts . . . is beautiful, as much if not moreso than this movie's story itself.
I just became a fan.
That song the children sing brings a tear to my eye.
I totally agree with you about the gifts from Santa.
"Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound"- That has to be the saddest line in the movie. Growing up sure sucks, doesn't it?
Definitely, one star, would not recommend that whole growing up thing.
@@alexachipman You got that right.
My parents would push Santa Claus but at the age 3 I figured out it was my dad. A course I didn't care who brought the present I just wanted the presents. My favorite Christmas was when I was 7. My mom had passed away 6 months prior and my dad just got out of the hospital prior. All he could afford was two Christmas stockings filled with an orange, candy and a Hot Wheel car. My dad teared up when he said to us this was all he could afford. This is still my brother and my favorite Christmas.
That’s beautiful! It sounds like a really special memory :)
I read the book, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, at a very young age, and it's remained a Christmas favorite of mine ever since, as has the movie. The movie does follow the book and especially its illustrations very closely. The whole sequence in the movie of following the lost ticket is absolutely there as an excuse to recreate the gorgeous illustrations from the book. The only deviations are the action sequences and the additions of Billy, "Hero Girl," and "Know-It-All-Kid," and these are there to stretch the short book's plot to fit a feature film length. Fun fact if you're a train buff; the locomotive in the film is modeled on a real steam engine that has been restored and still runs today, Pere Marquette #1225.
This movie to me feels like the whole Christmas holiday. I'll explain what I mean.
The journey to the North Pole feels like the run up to Christmas from the 1st of December to Christmas Eve.
When they arrive at the North Pole, it's feels like Christmas Eve.
The Elves partying feels like Christmas Day.
The journey home feels like Christmas Day night.
The kids opening their presents feels like Boxing Day.
And finally, the end credits feels like the end of the Christmas holiday.
I sure can relate to your experience riding Space Mountain!
I learned from that ride I am not a screamer, I just put my head down, closed my eyes and waited in silence until I felt we had stopped moving.
Same! I had to practically pry my fingers off and had just closed my eyes waiting for it to be over!
@@alexachipman I learnt I AM a screamer when I went on Hyperspace mountain in Disneyland Paris but my adult daughter was so terrified she was silent - I had my eyes closed and thought she'd fallen out ! (she later admitted she didnt know it went upside down or we would never had gone on it- she didnt realise what 'inversion' meant when she read up on it beforehand!
@@lindenella I've heard the Paris versions of rides are pretty intense! Sounds like that's true!
I remember seeing this at cinema. The animation is amazing.
My entire 5th grade class and the other two 5th grade classes as well all went to see this film when it was in theaters in 2005. That was very nice and better than the entire middle school after you had the permission slip signed to see Eragon in theaters. None of us really enjoyed it. Also this is based on a children’s picture book so to take something simple like that and turn it into this is remarkable.
Tom Hanks plays the adult version of “Hero Boy” (yes that is what our main character is called in the credits), the conductor, the hobo, and Santa Claus.
(The room starts shaking) (Six little people run in, followed by a big glowing head) "Retuuuurn the map!!! Return the map that you have stolen from meeee!!!".
‘It’s the supreme being!’
‘You mean God?’
‘We don’t know him that well, we just work for him’
i loved this movie when i was a kid, and i still love it !!!
Great reaction!
Even the main boy is played by Tom Hanks.
You say here that there should be a theme park based on this movie. For years now, between Thanksgiving and Christmas at many places across the country excursion trains become "The Polar Express", riders are asked to wear their pajamas, golden tickets are issued to board, and many scenes from the movie are recreated by actors as the train goes to the "North Pole" before returning home. Of course, everyone is served hot chocolate and is given a bell.
How lovely!
@@alexachipman One of those trains runs as "The North Pole Express" in Southern Michigan and is pulled by the number 1225 steam locomotive that inspired the writing of the book and served as the model for the locomotive in the movie.
"Now he's full on Indiana Jones"- I laughed so hard milk came out my nose!
It is funny how many characters are played by Tom Hanks in this movie.
Alexa, if you haven't yet, I suggest you check out the book this film was based on. It's simply wonderful, both in illustrations and the story. I'm often surprised by what you were not exposed to and this is a big one, I gotta say. This book was big in my elementary school.
How have you never seen this movie it has some of my favourite Christmas songs
I didn’t watch kids holiday films. At that age this time of year I was in Nutcracker rehearsals well into the evening.
It was a crazy adventure I’ll say that
Fantastic channel. I love how you do chill movie review and the vibe is so calming.
Thank you!
@@alexachipman Your welcome.
Nice Reaction! I recommend A Christmas Carol (Jim Carey) by the same director - excellent animation & acting😊
@The Dan ...And great in 3D!.. If I ever get home I have my old 3D tv to watch it on😊
I know there are complaints about the animations but I like this movie. I watch this movie every year.
This kid is infuriating. I'm atheist, and if a train full of ghosts pulled through my backyard, and said they were going to see Santa, even I would be like "well....maybe Santa (shrugs)". Nope, not this kid. "Ghost train yes! Santa? Nope! I'm drawing the line there!".
Never seen this movie, thanks for letting me watch through you
Tom Hanks plays so many characters in this movie. There are like 5 characters Tom plays.
The last boy looks like the boy from the 6th sense.
We can tell people Santa don't exist.. or we can leave them a present anounoumsly
Tom Hanks who voice woody on toys story voice the adults in this movie
You should also watch Beowulf, from 2007 I believe. Is a fun movie.
It was good, but I liked the 2005 version a little better.
As long as you don’t mind full book fangirl shouting “that wasn’t in the manuscript” 😂
@@oaf-77 I just mentioned the 2007 because has the same style. Camera, animation, art style, design, and even changing various things from the tale; the scenarios are very well made, with good accuracy with the actual time the story is set. You can even see soldiers using Roman armor, used by early Christians.
@@alexachipman I dont mind at all.
@@alissonlares2926 I’ll have to rewatch it, I remember liking it some, but maybe I was overly critical. The art style was a little jarring to me.
The movie is still enjoyable, but the animation has not aged well. If you look the eyes look soulless and kind of dead.
Even at the time of release, the animation style wasn’t well liked. There were a few movies made in that style, but it was never really very popular.
Should do the original lion king
I’ve seen that one many times :)
@@alexachipman oh haha my bad 😜
@@mattkaske2880 I haven't seen that recent remake, but didn't hear good things! Have you seen that one?
@@alexachipman eh it's meh. Can always do a reaction to that too
Can you watch unaccompanied minors 2006 on first time????????????????????
How are you doing?
Could you review The Little Prince 2015 movie
I will make a note about it - that's one that has sat on my queue for years but I haven't gotten around to watching it yet!
@@alexachipman Thank you for answering.
🌈👠👠🌽👩❤️💋👨🥰❤️ my Dorothy love this movie and train ride and your looking always still beautiful like our togetherness and love you so dearly us on Christmas drinking hot chocolate by the fire