A must see - The Polar Express with Tom Hanks

[iluvwesties]

Hi Everyone,
This is my first post. My name is Carol and I live in Whitby. I have been reading these boards for a while and decided it was time I introduced myself. I wanted to tell you all about the new movie "The Polar Express" animation with Tom Hanks. I got to see a sneak preview of it tonight, as I had luckily won family passes from 104.5 CHUM FM. at Ontario Place in the Cinesphere.
First of all, Ontario Place looks beautiful and I know you would all enjoy the Christmas atmosphere they are re-creating as even though it isn't Disney, it still looks wonderful.
The movie was superb, I recommend that if you can get to see it, go any chance you have. Even though I am a hard-core *************, this movie is the best animation I have ever seen. It is done in the PIXAR type animation, but it look so real!!!!
I hope you all don't mind me giving an opinion outside of the Disney theme, but I felt that anyone who loves Disney, will love this movie. By the way, I'm booked to go to Orlando in February 2005 with my daughter and son and am counting the days. I can't wait to walk down Main Street again, ride Mission Space, mess my hair up riding Test Track and drop down the Tower of Terror. Talk to you all again soon (I hope) Regards, Carol

 

[ChisJo]

I have been looking forward to seeing this movie. Thank you for sharing your review. I might have to check it out this saturday.
Jo

 

[alohamom]

I cannot wait to see this too! I read about it back in Sept in a movie magazine and it looked like it has all the makings of a classic, see every year type of film. Glad to hear a great review-Thanks Carol...

 

[Debbie]

<marquee behavior=alternate> Welcome, Carol!</marquee>

We always love a new person to join in our midst. I'm looking forward to this movie....it's the talk of the teacher email rings right now. Thanks for the review.

 

[cabmom]

WELCOME to the DISBOARDS!

So nice to have a newbie join us!

Marilynn

 

[hockey mom]

Welcome to our world.

My kids can't wait to see this movie- so I guess hubby and I will just have to take them

 

[kellyla]

Welcome to the boards,Carol.
Thanks for the review.It does look like a good movie.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Welcome to the boards Carol.... I too can't wait to see that movie!! Going to have to pull out the polar express book to read to my almost 5yo again first!!

 

[disney funseeker]

Welcome aboard

Thanks for your review. I've just ordered the book through Scholastic books.

Now there's 2 good movies we have to take the kids to. Polar Express and The Incredibles.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks for the review and welcome!

When I first saw the previews, I thought the animation was a bit creepy and was unsure if I could sit through a whole movie.

I feel better about it from your review!

 

[sammi]

Welcome to the DIS boards Carol!
I want to see this movie too....anything that stars Tom Hanks is fantastic!

 

[talicskai]

Welcome to the DIS.....I want to see this movie but my kids are DD5 and DS7. they are both a little afraid of loud movies and surprising scenes. Is there anything in there that might scare them? I often have to put cotton in their ears before we go to the movies because they are sooooo loud!

Thanks for the review.....Teresa

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for such a warm welcome!!!
In reply to your question Talicskai, there are some moments in the movie that may come over as scary to younger children (just like in Pirates of the Caribbean) as the movie storyline is set on a train. The sound of the train, at times is very loud. There is also several times when the train looks like it is on a roller-coaster (Awesome). I would suggest that children be OK with loud noises as sometimes it can be VERY loud. The overall story is a nice heart-warming tale (I felt it was set in the 50's or 60's) with a Christmas theme. During the time I was watching the movie, there were several young children in attendance (4-5yrs old) and they seemed OK with it, I didn't hear any crying. I am planning to see the movie again, as soon as it comes out and this time take my parents (who are in their late 70's) to see it.
For anyone who is interested, Hallmark has some ornaments that are available with The Polar Express theme (bell, waterglobe, Santa on sleigh) Once this movie comes out at the theatres I can see these becoming collectors items. (Hallmark Dream Book, page 28). It's been 24 hours since I've seen this film and am still on a high from it (kind of like when you go to Disney!!!) Thanks all again for your welcome wishes, It's great to know that there are other people, like myself, who LOVE Disney.
Talk to you all again soon, Carol

 

[MECH8T7]

Just took the kids to see the movie last night. DS6, DD3.

They were totally mesmerized and both of them thoroughly enjoyed it but, during the whole time the movie, I couldn't help but wondering whether the movie had the effect of accelerating the point at time in which my son would even question whether Santa Claus actually exists. (It also won't help this year that we replaced the conventional fireplace in our home with a gas insert! LOL)

Has anyone seen the IMAX-3D version of the movie? We wanted to get into the IMAX version but it was sold-out by the time we got to the theatre and we did not want to wait another 2.5 hours. However, I imagine that some of the rollercoaster-type scenes could be pretty wild in IMAX-3D.

Also, it appears that one of the highly sought-after (and expensive -- between CAD$300 and CAD$350 retail) items this Christmas will be the Lionel O-scale (i.e., the scale that has tracks with three rails) Polar Express train set. Not that many Canadian retailers carry Lionel sets and many of the U.S. retailers have sold-out of their allocation. There is, of course, price gouging on eBay over this item (going price is about US$400 to US$450). (I was able to get a Streetsville model train store to hold one for me when they get their allocation in)

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

IMAX3D version is also showing at our local theatre.

If anyone has seen it, I'd appreciate their opinion.

I have a hard time with rides and simulators, so am wondering if it'll make you sick?? Example: I'll never be able to get on Mission Space!

I may have to let DH take the kids and I'll go to the regular version.

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome Carol!

We took my 5 yr. old niece to see The Polar Express, last weekend. It was her very first experience at a movie theatre, and she loved it!! The movie held her attention most of the time, but she was also interested in checking out her surroundings.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Polar Express. I found it to be a visual delight, especially the scene with the wolves running beside the train. I intend to go out and buy the book!

MECH8T7, I looked on the Lionel site, to see the Polar Express train, but couldn't find it? I love trains, and would like to have a look at it! No, I'm not going to put it on my Xmas list...lol.

I have my older brother's Lionel train. Unfortunately it's boxed up in the basement, waiting to be set up, some day. It must be 40-45 years old!

I do have a cheap Sears Christmas train that I set up under my tree last year, and will again this year! See below.

On the Flower & Garden board we had thread about Garden Railways. Now that's something I'd LOVE to do!!

Here's the link, if you'd like to check out the pics! I know, it's a garden board, but it won't hurt to look, really.

~Garden Railways~

My Xmas train, coming through a pile of presents!

Sorry if I 'de-railed' your thread, Carol!

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi Snowwark,
Thanks for the welcome!!!
I am happy that you enjoyed The Polar Express and that many people agree that it is a wonderful movie.

You will not believe this, but I have the very same Train for under my Xmas tree. I am debating putting it out this year as I have a 9month old Westie puppy, who I think may de-rail it more than once!

Thanks for including the Garden Railway Link, WOW, wouldn't that be a neat thing to have!!

I am hoping to see the Incredibles this weekend, and am hoping that Polar Express does a little better at the box-office, it is still a must see!

Talk to you all soon!

 

[TimNDansMom]

Welcome Carol! Thanks for the review!

Dh and I went to see The Incredibles this week, which we really enjoyed and highly recommend, and they showed a great trailer for The Polar Express. It is next on our list to see.

That was really interesting about the garden trains, Kim. What a lot of fun that would be! Your Christmas train is so cute!

 

[MECH8T7]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
IMAX3D version is also showing at our local theatre.

If anyone has seen it, I'd appreciate their opinion.

I have a hard time with rides and simulators, so am wondering if it'll make you sick?? Example: I'll never be able to get on Mission Space!

Just went to see the IMAX 3D version with the kids today. It's like seeing a totally different movie. We all really enjoyed it and my DS6 asked on more than one occassion whether we would be able to keep the glasses (on the expectation that it would make other movies look 3D). What I found interesting is that I expected the action scenes involving the train to be the highlight of this version but, in fact, what was more impressive were the the landscapes and the real feeling of depth in some of tranquil scenes...particularly ones in which your viewpoint would be somewhere in the middle of the room or train and looking out through a window to the outside. Amazing and breathtaking! Of course, there are some predictable 3D gimmicky elements -- e.g., the train coming into your lap, stuff being thrown at you (elf's santa hat) -- but nothing too distracting. Well worth the money and something that you won't be able to experience at home when it comes out on DVD!

Incidentally, I suffer from motion sickness normally -- I get sick if I'm in a car going through winding cottage country roads at nightime and once got sick on this chessy circa-1960s simulator ride at the CNE a few years ago -- and had NO problems with the movie.

 

[MECH8T7]

Originally posted by Snowwark
MECH8T7, I looked on the Lionel site, to see the Polar Express train, but couldn't find it? I love trains, and would like to have a look at it! No, I'm not going to put it on my Xmas list...lol.

You can find it in one of the catalogs at the lionel site. Go to the link below and select the catalog for 2004, vol. 1. It's featured on the cover and the details on the set appear inside.

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Findex.cfm

If anyone is interested, you might be able to get one from Credit Valley Trains. They haven't received their allocation yet but, as of earlier this week, they still had some available to sell (assuming they eventually get them). Some of the other GTA-area stores already received their allocation and were probably sold out even before they got them. There aren't that many Lionel retailers in Canada.