The Polar Express: Always Believe

The first time I watched The Polar Express was around first grade. I went to Carver Elementary School when I was younger, and each year before we got out for Winter Break, the school watched The Polar Express. When the school hosted the movie, we would dress in Christmas pajamas, drink hot chocolate, and eat holiday desserts while watching the movie. I’ve always enjoyed. My favorite thing about the movie is that it has true meaning. The theme of the movie is to always believe.

I think The Polar Express is credible to be the best Christmas movie ever because of the meaningful theme. It teaches young children to always believe in the magic of Christmas, even if you may see it as the unbelievable. This movie truly gets me in the Christmas spirit, as well as many others. The animations, songs, comedy, and graphics of the film never fails to uplift my mood!

The Polar Express is a 2004 animated Christmas Film. In the film, it is the night of Christmas Eve. A doubting young child takes a ride on a train called the “Polar Express” to the North Pole. On the way, the boy joins several other children as they embark on a journey to visit Santa Claus preparing for Christmas. After arriving, they all realize the simple theme of: you should always believe, even if it is the “unbelievable."

Why is this storyline so good? What makes it an exceptional plot for a Christmas movie? In my opinion, the storyline is good because of a few reasons. The characters are relatable and are good role models (mostly to younger children), it is filled with magical Christmas scenes, which excites children even more for the holiday season, and most importantly, it motivates viewers to believe.

Chris, better known as “The hero boy,” is the main character and protagonist in The Polar Express. The role is played by three different people: Josh Hutcherson, Tom Hanks, and Daryl Sabara. The voice of Tom Hanks is also associated with "Conductor,” “Ebenezer Scrooge,” “Santa Claus,” “Hobo,” and “Father” in the film. I think this role is well played by the three actors. During the movie, the changes in their voice during certain scenes plays a huge role in the quality of the movie.

Billy, also known as “The lonely boy,” played by Peter Scolari, is considered a tritagonist. In the film, Billy is the young child who does not believe in the magic of Christmas. On the way to the North Pole, Billy is found in a different area of the train, almost questioning why he is there. The “hero boy” and “hero girl” find Billy, and do many different things to get him in the Christmas spirit. By the end of the movie, Billy is excited to get home and go to sleep to see what Santa brought him. He walks in his house with one present from the North Pole, extremely excited that he found the true meaning of Christmas!

I think the animations of The Polar Express is what makes it unique. There are good representations of each character which truly helps the movie come together as a whole. There are also examples of foreshadowing (mostly of Santa’s sleigh) which wraps around to the theme of Christmas magic.

The Polar Express is based on believing, mostly in the magic of Christmas. In the movie, many young children are all aboard on a ride to the “North Pole.” While going, a couple of the kids realize one of the others does not believe in Santa Claus, or the magic of Christmas at all! The two kids sing him songs, take him on a journey, and tell stories to the other young boy to ensure he believes in the true magic of Christmas!

Overall, I think The Polar Express is a very meaningful movie. It really shows children from any ages the true magic of Christmas. I would recommend this film to anyone. My overall rating is an 8.5 out of ten.

Watch the movie trailer here: