The Polar Express (2004)

20140121:
Among the possible expiring movies, I thought it would be appropriate to watch The Polar Express, since I just saw Forrest Gump (1994) starring Tom Hanks. What I didn't know, however, is that The Polar Express also has the same director as Forrest Gump: Robert Zemeckis.

The Polar Express.

While I enjoyed the action and story of the film, the motion capture sometimes made the characters look weird or creepy. I think this is mainly due to the animation falling in a gray area between unrealistic and photorealistic.

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20231219:
Today I watched this movie with Ben. Well, I watched the beginning (up until they get the train through the herd of animals), fell asleep, and woke up for the end (he notices the elves are carrying a line of bells but he can't hear them).

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Instant Comments:
1: "See, he's out like a light, an express train wouldn't wake him up now."

The Hero Boy (Tom Hanks) meets the Conductor (Tom Hanks).

1: Haha, please join all the children I've collected.
1: OMG, that stare is so creepy.
1: That musical scene is so weird looking. And by the end of it, it seems like they've been drugged (hot chocolate), though they haven't.
2: I'm not a fan of this "Hot Chocolate" number
1: Oh no! What have you done!?!

After the Hero Boy takes a seat, the Hero Girl (Nona Gaye) looks over and gives him a good long stare.

1: That's magical (the ticket).
1: That man on top of the train is an interesting character. "One other thing, do you believe in ghosts?" [shakes his head] "Interesting."
1: I mean, so was the conductor, but the one on top was more scary than creepy.
1: Haha, caribou. (according to Wikipedia, caribou are the same as reindeer)
2: I fell asleep around here

Billy the Lonely Boy (Peter Scolari).

1: "And someone save you?" "Or something..."
1: "When Christmas Comes to Town"
1: OMG, I'd be down on my knees over those tracks.
2: I woke up around the time the elve are bringing the reins with bells on them
1: Oh wow, he doesn't hear the bells.

Santa Claus.

1: Wow, that scene where he believes is awesome.
1: "The thing about trains... it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on."
1=20140121,2=20231219

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Watched 20140121 (Netflix, Instant) 99 min. (Streaming until 20140201)
Watched 20231219 (Hulu)
The Polar Express (2004) Robert Zemeckis. 100 min [bot children's book otsn (1985) by Chris Van Allsburg]

The three kids bravely balance their way across train tracks suspended high above the ground.

Relevant Links:
The Polar Express (IMDb.com)
The Polar Express (film) (Wikipedia.org)
The Polar Express (RottenTomatoes.com)