THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004)

SHORT REVIEW: Not the best film made, but the best family film made in a long time. My four-year-old son loved this film. I was ambivalent. He’s usually a better judge than I am about such things however. This is a rarity these days. Hollywood has released a family film without poop, pee, fart or belching jokes. Amazing. There’s no sex either. I assume something has gone terribly wrong. What is amazing is that this is a Robert Zemeckis film. This is important because he comes from the Spielberg school of family filmmaking. The usual tapestry woven under this school is that boys are belching, farting and swearing antagonists who are relegated to easily definable roles: The handsome but troubled jock, The handsome but troubled jock’s little brother, the smart-mouthed and tough abused kid, the personality lacking girl with nice hair, and finally Spielberg’s favorite, the clumsy fat kid who eats all the time. For a fuller idea of this movie caste system, refer yourself to The Goonies. Back to this film, with the exception of a highly irritating nerd character, this film is surprisingly without stock characters or situations. Tom Hanks (arguably the best Hollywood actor) makes up most of the cast. His likeness emerges throughout the film in the faces of a half a dozen or more characters. While his instantly recognizable voice is hard for him to disguise, he manages to pull off his multiple roles. The film itself is quite dazzling in its production and direction. During its initial run in the theatres I read a bushel of lukewarm reviews. I don’t think this was fair. This is a solid movie made for kids in a way parents can be comfortable with. Outside of some moments of peril that concerned by son, there was nothing out of line or subversive to ignite my concern. That said, as a Christian I have a certain amount of reservation of supporting the Santa Claus myth. “The miracle of Christmas” has been transformed from the birth of our Lord to spongy and meaningless mottos. Christmas is not about a puffy-faced Coca-Cola mascot but about The One who was born among us to bring us the only true gift known to man, salvation. Films such as this do perform a bait and switch of sorts, which Christians must be careful to avoid. While it is certainly acceptable to present the Santa myth to kids it is vital that we press the actual story and reasons for the season. As far as family films go, this is one you can rent and freely let your children view. Like I said, it is a rarity. RELATED REVIEWS Other quality animated films Chicken Run (2000) Wallace & Gromit (1989-1995) The Incredibles (2004) Categories: film, movie, DVD, review, Christmas, Tom Hanks, Christmas Movie, Polar Express