Name : Ahmed Hassan Abou Taleb
Class : 3rd year
Section: Business and international commerce
English
Film
review: Polar Express
A five stars trip towards the truth
Following his trials to discover the truth about Santa, a young kid on the gates of teen hood, passes through an outstanding adventure. On the Christmas eve, he wakes up on 5 minutes to midnight disturbed by a huge roar of a wild old train standing outside his isolated house. Surprised by this strange event, he receives an invitation from the train
conductor to get aboard. Reluctant and hesitant, the kid stands still. But as the train starts to move, he decides to take the risk and make the trip. It’s a trip in which we will accompany him to a marvelous world of fantastic
imaginations and fabulous dreams.
The kind, hard working train conductor, who invited the kid, was struggling to reach his destination, located in the north pole, on time. Meanwhile, the young kids were making friends with each other, discovering the train and even helping the train survive various natural challenges. The adventures didn’t stop as the train reached its destination. On the contrary, a second series of adventures, incidents and accidents took place in the strange city of Santa where a huge celebration was being held and a special surprise was going to be awarded to a special guest.
The cartoon film that may seem to be a kids movie carries within its plot different philosophical quotes which may seem more fitting to adults. This widens the targeted public and makes the film meaningful. One of the quotations that extremely grabbed my attention was '''' Sometimes seeing is believing. Sometimes the things the most real in the world are things we cant see''''. I find those two well written expressive sentences carrying too much philosophy, yet well transmitted to a kid. The usage of simple words made me as an audience understand such awesome meanings in a context of kids imaginary stories. Another quotation that I liked was '''' One thing about trains, it doesn’t matter where its going , what matters is to decide to get on''''. These two sentences were said by the train conductor which gave them a wisdom aspect.
In addition to the quotes, the tremendous graphics came to provide the audience''s imaginations with awesome images matching the running breath-taking music. The fertile brain in which these imaginations were brought up is certainly a creative one. The screenplay could successfully sue a real well thread imaginary world with its finest details. The part where the kids were lost in the city discovering how Christmas presents are packed by dwarves was one of the most amazing parts where the writer''s imagination can be judged as free and rich.
On the other hand, the part dedicated to the chase of the small girl''s ticket was too long that it may cause boredom and distraction. Moreover, the character of the girl as a pure leader maybe far from the children''s brain as such skills may have not been developed for a great slide of them. At the same time, Santa who is usually presented to kids as an intimate warm character seemed cold on the celebration. He acted as a wise man , but lacking warmth and intimacy.
Last but not least, the film whose story may take you to another world parallel to ours is a good chance to relax from the life stress. Its even a relaxation time where you don’t sit lazy on your sofa doing nothing. But it''s a time when you would feel impressed, interested and content as well.