*CHRISTMAS OR HORROR!?* The Polar Express (2004) | First Time Watching | reaction/commentary/review) 

"I'm so excited to see what role he plays in this" Its all of them, he plays everyone

"I know Tom Hanks is in this movie." Yeah, he practically IS the movie. 🤣

When I was a kid, my mom told me not to get in a stranger's car. But she never said anything about a stranger's train, so this would be fine probably.

I think the "creepiness" of this movie depicts the real fear that children experience when they don't know what is happening, or what is going to happen. Then, as they go forward, they find out that they didn't need to fear most of what was going to happen; yet they also learn to have a part in the outcome with their choices. ❤

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE Christmas movie...it made me feel I was INSIDE a Christmas story...no other movie about Christmas involves a train...but when I was a kid one of the best toys for Christmas was a train. Plus who doesn't love a train whistle? I mean come on! The biggest thing I got from this movie is how believing in the Spirit of Christmas, love, family, friends, giving, receiving...all of it is in the heart, and never goes away no matter how old you get if you continue to believe in your heart.

The author of The Polar Express grew up in my city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'm old enough to remember the old Herpolsheimers department store that's in the movie. They used to do a big Christmas window display every year. Inside the store there was a monorail train that kids could ride on. When the store closed, they saved the monorail and installed it at the public museum as a piece of Grand Rapids history. I always appreciated that the author included a bit of his childhood memories in the story.

Those elves are straight up nightmare fuel. So damn creepy. But otherwise I really love this movie.

In first grade they told us the day before Christmas break that we were going on the Polar Express; so they blocked off the day, had us all wear our pj's to school, and gathered us all into one room where the chairs were lined up like a train. I was sooo disappointed when I found out we weren't actually leaving, we were just watching the movie in class 😭😭 I still feel betrayed with this movie

"Seeing is believing." Kid nods. 30 seconds later: "Do you believe in ghosts?" Kid shakes his head 'no.' "Interesting." The guy on top of the train is a ghost; the kid can see him, talk to him, yet continues to refuse to believe in ghosts. LOL

Am I the only one who got teared up when he said "What? i don't hear anything..." when the others heard the bell :P

bruh I remember when this came out and it looked so realistic lmao little me wasn't sure if it's live action or animated 💀

The animation of the characters' faces looks a bit odd sometimes because this movie was one of the first (if not the first) movie to use motion capture animations. All characters were actually animated over the bodies of real actors, including Tom Hanks (who did the motion capture acting for the main character "Hero Boy" as well as the boy's dad, the conductor, the hobo and Santa). Only the elf characters were cgi, with the exception of the close-ups which also used the same motion capture animation style.

I overlooked this movie first time round, I watched it for the first time this year and deeply regret missing this movie now. Not many can evoke that kind of emotion in me. Its now my fave christmas movie. The end statement by tom hanks had me in tears. My family has long since passed away, but I still decorate the tree and hear that bell ring still. I still believe...

The ending narration always gets me teary eyed

This is my favorite movie, its part of my children childhood. It was played in their elementary school the last day before Christmas break, it was called The Polar Express day and all of them wore their PJ's and we as mom prepared the hot cocoa and cookies for them. My mom loved this bc of my kids. I always get excited when Santa is going to make the appearance. So many beautiful memories. 😍😍😍

The fact tom hanks voiced most of the characters= goat ❤️

This movie is a family tradition. Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom, my stepdad, my dad, and I watch this movie together. My mom used to cry at the end of the movie but has since been desensitized to it. I on the other hand, didn't get it until a few years ago now that I'm in my 20s myself.

I remember seeing this in theatres and loving the train scene and pretty much all of scenes like that because I felt like I was on a roller coaster.

Fun fact, the main character was voiced by Josh Hutcherson. Thats right Peeta from Hunger Games.

Ill make an exception for Polar Express being played in January, my favorite Christmas movie

this was my favourite Christmas movie as a kid and still is one of them bc of the nostalgia that comes with it

the musical score by Alan Silvestri is pure Christmas magic. such chills listening to it!

In the scene when they're trying to catch the pin, you can see the flux capacitor from Back To The Future! Plus if you like Tom Hanks you should see Splash 🧜💖💖

This film gives me so much nostalgia! It is based on the book of the same name by Chris Van Alsburg who also wrote Jumanji and Zathura. The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis who also directed Forrest Gump, the Back to the Future triology and A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. The close shots of Hero Girl's ticket floating in the air is an intentional nod to the feather in Forrest Gump. Also, when the engineer and fireman try to grab the pin necessary for the train's throttle, a working flux capacitor is visible in the background, referencing Back to the Future and could mean the Polar Express is a functioning time machine. And when Hero Boy sounds the train's whistle he says that he has wanted to do so his whole life, as does Doc Brown in Back to the Future III. This is kind of a Christmas Carol film because Hero Boy is Scrooge and doesn't believe in Santa anymore causing the three ghosts of Christmas (the Hobo, Conductor and Santa) to change him forever. The Hobo is the Ghost of Christmas Past and plays the role of Christmas Future. He tries to intimidate Hero Boy into changing his ways, using only himself instead of the future. The Conductor is the Ghost of Christmas Present and is in charge of keeping order in the present to get Hero Boy to Santa. Finally, Santa is Christmas Future and changes Hero Boy forever, like Scrooge. The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the actors' physical performances before "skinning" them with their animated forms. The children's roles were acted by adults, using oversized props to get the movement right. Tom Hanks plays six different roles in the film: Hero Boy, Hero Boy's father, the conductor, Hobo, Santa and Scrooge. Initially Robert Zemeckis considered having him play all the roles but after trying, Hanks was too exhausted to do them all. Three different actors play the role of Hero Boy: Tom Hanks does the motion capturing and adult voice, Daryl Sabara does the voice acting and Josh Hutcherson does additional motion capturing. Nona Gaye, daughter of Marvin Gaye, plays Hero Girl. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith plays the elf lieutenant/singer. Director Robert Zemeckis' wife Leslie provides the motion capture for both Hero Boy's mum and sister. The theme heard throughout the film is nearly identical to the theme in Elf. It is also the melody to an original song called Believe, sung by Josh Groban. It was nominated for an Oscar and performed by Groban and Beyoncé during the award ceremony in 2005. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe and won a Grammy. There is a theory that the conductor time-traveled to help his past self since Tom Hanks also voices the older version of Hero Boy. And there is an actual Polar Express train ride that travels every year on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina.

My son loves trains. We own loads of brio. Polar Express has become our Xmas eve family movie. I bought a box of silver bells and every year I place two in front of the fireplace. Both my kids ring them to check everyone can hear them. It gives me warm fuzzies just thinking about it 🥰 The slightly dark, creapy vibe encapsulates that childhood fear of the idea of Santa coming and sneaking around the house after dark when you shouldn't. Where everything is scary and your heart is pounding. And all your toys look slight scary. The atmosphere they create is incredible. ❤ Definitely a favourite.

Honestly, when I was a kid the fading record player always creeped me out, and to this day it still does

One of my favorite Christmas songs comes from this movie. "Believe" by Josh Groban. 😊🎄✨️

This movie is based on the original book published in 1985, as kids my dad would read it to us every Christmas Eve and he would even read it to our Elementary school classes around Christmas time. Now all of us kids are grown up, and he still reads it every year to every class, this is his 32nd year in a row. Next year will be his first time reading with his first grandchild in attendance 🥰

It wasn't until I was a good bit older that I noticed what many people saw as scary or uncanny about the animation and movie as a whole (with the exception of the abandoned toy train car, that scene was always super creepy to me...). When I was younger, I just enjoyed the fun Christmas vibes and didn't pay that much attention to the actual story. Bit of a shame really. But that's what these rewatches are for: to pay actual attention and notice thing you didn't before.

Fun Fact: Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (motion caption actor for Billy) costarred in the 1980s sitcom 'Bosom Buddies', about two young men who masquerade as women to get affordable housing in an all-female apartment building. Tom Hanks played the Father, the Conductor, the Hobo, the Scrooge puppet, and Santa, as well as motion capture for Hero Boy, at the very least.

The animation falles inyo uncanny valley because they used straight motion capture- no cartoon physics to smooth it out, its what creeps people out. The eyes look dead for how realistic the bodies move. Etc. But it was one of the first movies to use the technology- we owe Gollum and others for them having perfected this.

This movie gives me so much nostalgia and it gives me that kid-like joy I used to get while watching it growing up. Now im sad Christmas season is over lol

“I can’t wait to see which character he plays” I giggled I’m convinced he even did the role of the bird 😂

The correct answer is indeed HORROR Edit: I still tear up at the bell scene tho

when i was little my grandma took me to see this in a 4d theater and we had to leave because i was terrified 😭 it’s one of my favorites now though

My absolute favorite Christmas movie ever, it never fails to bring me to tears from the message to the deep emotional feeling I get when you finally hear the bell ring for the first time

17:13 “Who is this kid?” It’s Mandark from Dexter’s Laboratory!, he is always the first character I think of when I hear that voice actor 😅😆

This is such a sweet classic film that my kids grew up with. My favorite has always been Santa Claus the movie. The story of how Santa came to be. If you ever get a chance I recommend it highly

This is and has always been my favorite holiday film ever since I was like 5. Now it's one of the only ones I can watch safely after some trauma stuff. I don't know what it is, but this movie just feels really well written. It shows perspectives of holidays that you don't see often in Christmas movies (the skeptical/non-believer and the one who Christmas just doesn't work out for) along with the dreamer. It doesn't fully condemn either Billy or Hero Boy, it just shows their perspectives and how magic can be real, even if you can't always see it. That message really hits home. And also yeah, this was one of the first movies to use motion capture for the characters! If you look up the cast, each character has like three names listed, the voice actor, the motion capture for the child, and some additional motion capture done by adults (like Tom Hanks for Hero Boy. Josh Hutcherson also did the motion capture for Hero Boy!!) That's why it looks a lil janky and even kinda creepy lol. Also I saw a really really cool (imo) theory (NOT MINE!) about why Tom Hanks voices Santa, Hero Boy's Dad, the Conductor, and the Hobo, as well as the narration from Hero Boy. It's because in the beginning as a boy, when he encounters all four of these characters, he has a chance of growing into any of the four. The doubter (the Hobo), the non-believer (his Dad), the carrier of the magic (the conductor), and the maker of the magic himself (Santa) depending on how his journey on the Polar Express goes. At the end of the movie, the Hobo evaporates as the train leaves, symbolizing that the Hero Boy is no longer a Doubter, and that path is erased. Also when it zooms in on the bell in the final shot, you see Santa in the reflection, implying that Hero Boy did grow up to be Santa (or just a maker of magic in some symbolic way). However, I think I can see in the left corner next to Santa, the reflection of what looks like a TV or something kinda morphs into the outline/visage of the Conductor. Probably just me on that one, but I like to see it hahaha. Okay sorry for the long comment!! Loved the reaction!!

I love how this was based on a children’s book lol

I have literally watched this movie every year in school right before Christmas break. I watched this movie from 1st grade (for sure) until about 8th grade.

I watched this every Christmas in elementary school and it's THE Christmas movie for me

"I'm so excited to see what role Tom Hanks plays in this." The answer is yes.

#4 on my list of favorite Christmas movies, which surprises a lot of people since I'm into trains.

this is what i'm here for, one of my favorite christmas movies, thank you so much for reacting to it ♥love ya for this!

This movie wad made with mocap such is acting but with a ball suit on. Also tom tanks originally was going to play every single character in the movie, at least the mocap, but after shooting, they realised he was going to kill himself with how much work it was, so they made him only play 5 characters

Love the song with Josh Groban in the end😊

Bro the nerdy kid gets me every time 💀

Maybe this movie is very much a product of its time, but I'll still always adore it.

“No matter how old you get, just believe!”- poler express

This was a story book they made into a movie…I loved the part where the two kids and conductor were in the front of the train…it was like being on a rollercoaster…

29:30 so that’s actually Steven Tyler voicing the elf, and they also modeled the elf after him.

Can't believe this movie will be 20 years this year. I still remember seeing the trailer on my Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD, which also came out that year. Steven Tyler from Aerosmith making his appearance as an elf still kills me. 😅

Watch it every year with my Niece. It’s one of our favorites 🤩

Fun fact: Del from the Green Mile does the voice of both the engineer and the coal scooper. This is my favorite Christmas movie! I have to watch it every year.

I just love this movie so much. I watch it every Christmas and never get bored. It's different. Your reaction was great, it reminds me of mine own 🎉

It worth your while to listen to The exit song by Josh Groban Believe . It’s beautifully done

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie, it's one of my favourite Christmas movies for sure :)

Awesome reaction of my favorite Christmas movie!!!!😊😊😊😊

The Christmas version of WIlly Wonka. Cute, odd and creepy all at the same time. I ID myself as Billy: Christmas and I do not get along but I still Believe.

I love your reaction! It was pretty scary at certain points, but my theory is that we were supposed to feel it from his perspective of how scary and unsettling it was for him going on this journey throughout the movie.

If it hasn't been mentioned, this movie was made by motion capture. Like AVATAR and jim carrie in the Christmas carol (which is a must see movie)

One of my favorite Christmas movies

This is one of the movies that often gets cited when talking about the creepiness of the uncanny valley and why Pixar always makes its human characters with grossly disproportional faces (or "cute" and "babyish" with their giant eyes and button noses).

🎶 The ✨BEST! ✨ time of the yearrr.. 🎶 😂 this movie is uncanny valley vibes but I still love it

Can you tell this movie was in 3D initially 🤣🤣 they took every opportunity for this to be a rollercoaster hahaha

After this movie alot of kids got silver bells as gifts, (my nephew included), It was fun playing like we couldn't hear it, thankfully he didn't ring it to annoying levels

Please react to "Society of the Snow", you're gonna love it, I'm sure, it's so good and so well made in every aspect. It's just been released on streaming. I've been fascinated by the story since I was a kid because of the movie "Alive" (1993, with Ethan Hawke), a more Hollywood version of the facts but I still love it. Later I watched countless documentaries, interviews, read books (Nando Parrado's is extraordinary)! A remarkable story about pain, fear, suffering but also resilience, fellowship, hope and courage.

I haven't seen this in years and kind of remember not liking it as a kid. But seems like a good movie, watching this reaction as an adult. I'd love to see you react to all of The Haunting of Hill House if you haven't seen it! Such a good show and nice because it's a limited episode story.

Alot of unexpected jumpscares

Very excellent movie reaction

IM WISHING ON A STARRRRR

You should review Bringing Down the House or Home Alone 2 next.

Love this movie, own it on dvd.

The cg animation for the movie was done in the exact art style of the original picture book illustrations, which is like halfway between very realistic painting & traditional hand-drawn movie animation. 😄 Yes, it's a bit odd, but I think it's meant to be that way, to give the dream feeling of halfway real & halfway not. Is the story real? Is it just fantasy? Is it somehow both because of Christmas magic? 🎁

I love this movie

"There's no greater gift than friendship." Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁 Fun Fact: The movie is based on the book The Polar Express (1985) by Chris Van Alsburg. He also wrote the Jumanji (1981) and Zathura (2002) books. 1225 Connection Fact: A close examination of the ticket numbers reveals that they all contain the number 1225. Pere Marquette No. 1225 was used as a model for the Polar Express locomotive. 12-25 also refers to the date of Christmas, December 25th. Motion Capture Fact: The film is listed in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records as the "first all-digital capture" film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture. In fact, it is called "motion capture" now. The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the actors' physical performances before "skinning" them with their animated forms. The children's roles were acted by adults, using oversized props to get the movement right. Good King Wenceslas Fact: When the Hero Boy (Josh Hutcherson) first meets the Hobo (Tom Hanks) on the roof of the train, he is playing the "Good King Wenceslas" carol. The story of Saint Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia is that of a king braving the harsh winter to bring alms to the poor on the Feast of Stephan, December 26th. His page finds he can't go on through the harsh conditions and is directed to walk in the footprints that the king has made in the snow. The Hobo directs Hero Boy to follow behind him and ultimately helps him reach the engine before they make it to the tunnel, thus allowing him to find and help his friend. This is also a representation of the Holy Spirit idea of the Hobo, that he guides those who believe in Him to safety, even in perilous times.

Thanks, Oscar! 🚂 Robert Zemeckis directed this one.

the animation is what makes the movie

Watching this for the first time and Im scared lol. The trailer for this movie horrified me as a child

AAAAA BELIEVE LEAD

Second greatest Christmas movie ever

It's my favorite

Love this movie ❤

"*CHRISTMAS OR HORROR!?* exactly. i cannot watch this again. too deep into Uncanny Valley.

Santa clause hit 88 mph

Was wondering if you were going to continue breaking bad. I saw you watched ep1 and really enjoyed it but didn't carry on.

i never understood why the heck people find it scary people nowadays get scared of everything i guess

😬 Christmas Horror

❤️🌠❤️🌠

please react to the Christmas movie elf and if your done with Christmas movies for now, please watch bad moms :)

Why did you stop Breaking Bad?

can you react to Annie (2014)

Day 5 requesting Gone Girl and Promising Young Woman

Horror. I cannot watch this movie unless I’m hate watching it

So when he gets to tell Santa what he wanted as a gift, he didnt ask for the bell. He asked for Billy to get to have what he wanted, (an actual christmas with gifts). Which is why his house looks much more vibrant and decorated when they bring him home

Can you react to "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" or "Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)"? Those are beautiful christmas movies! 😊❤🎁🎄

This is without a doubt, one of the most underrated Christmas films ever. I still remember when I used to watch this as a kid, and loved every minute of it. The ending narration of it is so beautiful and so pure. 🚂🎅🏻🔔❤️🖤💛💙🩵🤍