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The Polar Express
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
The best kids' holiday movie in years.
Themes in this movie include: friendship, growing up, honesty
updated 11.04.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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What Parents Need to Know
About The Polar Express
Parents need to know that the movie may be too intense and frightening for the youngest children. There are roller-coaster-y action sequences with some close calls, but no one is injured, and there is one scene with marionettes that could scare little kids. The "ghost" Hobo in the story shatters into pieces at one point. Also, the center of the story rests on a kid who is doubting whether or not there is a Santa. (According to the movie, yessiree.)
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what they believe about Santa, and also about the Lonely Boy and what they think his real gift was.
- Families can also talk about each of the lessons punched into the tickets given to the children.
- Why was each of those lessons the right one for that child? They can talk about the difference between that which can be proven and that which must be believed without proof. When the conductor says, "Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see," what is he talking about?
- What is a "crucial year?" Why can't some people hear the bell? Who is the hobo and why is he there?
Our Members Say
See all 50 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
A little creepy but original
Some parts creeped me out when I watched this. But it was a good story on believing in the spirit of Christmas, which every kid needs to know. Withouth it, where's the innocence? It's got musical numbers and some weird parts I didn't really get, but it's visually superb and simple in writing, which in this case is a good thing. You don't wanna complicate a book that had less than 30 pages in it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
This movie is a good family flick. there is nothing to look out for by the way so go check out this kid flick.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Must Watch This Christmas!
This is definetly in my top 5 for best Christmas movies on earth. I love the story, the way that it is shown, and the holiday spirit. My wholee family loves this movie, and is a must watch for any family who celebrates Christmas!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
fun holiday fun for all!
this is a fun movie with lots of holiday cher. there are some slightly scary scenes that may bother toddelers, but kids 5 and up will like it.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
It had some dark parts.
On the trai and with the toys it was kind of dark. A bit too moody for the toddlers we brought with the rest fo the family. I would reccomend for school aged children. It's an okay, not brilliant, movie, but again, some fo the imagry is a little dark and moody.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Disappointing
I read the book to my kids when they were younger, and they all loved it. So when we saw a trailer for this movie, we all rushed to the theater the day it came out. By the time the movie was over, we were all almost crying with disappointment. This movie is so unlike the book in so many ways.The conductor and waitors on the Polar Express break out dancing at random moments, there's a ghost on top of the train, and the movie doesn't explain how he got there or what his purpose is. Read the book, don't see the movie.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
It was a dissapointment
This was a good movie but I was kinda dissapointed. The book was a lot better. They added too much to the movie so it got boring. It was completely different from the book.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
You must see this!
The movie is awesome. The breaking ice part might be a little scary for 2,3, and 4 year old kids. My favorite part is the hot chocolate song! NHM 5 years of age, typed by his mother
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Boring
It seems like I've written a lot of reviews calling things boring, but there really are only about ten movies that I've ever seen that I would label that, and those are the ones that I've reviewed. This one definitely made the list, however. I'm not into Santa Clause, and my kids aren't going to be, but even if I was, I wouldn't have liked this movie. It was predictable, slow, not funny, and the movie could have been made half the length and you wouldn't have missed anything if you watched both versions back to back. It was stretched out. The ultra-extreme lack of content lost me within the first ten minutes, but since I love kids movies and Tom Hanks, I stuck it out. It didn't redeem itself. Sorry to be so harsh.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Great for older kids
Very well done and the details in the computer animation are amazing but I think some scenes (trains sliding on ice) are scary for younger children. Also, my 3 year old son loves trains but did not sit through this movie; older kids will appreciate the story and the message.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great Movie for Kids
This is a great movie for all kids ages 10 and under. It has wonderful animation and a great story line. Our kids have scene it several times. I wish all kid movies were this well done.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
i cried!
This is a Really GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!for kids to see my daughter love it.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A NEW STANDARD FOR CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
This Movie was awesome. The only thing I had a problem with was the hobo (spirit) That was always poping up. They could have made him real like everyone else. This movie is sure to be a favorite for years and years to come.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Lovley classic Christmas movie
My son admitedly is too young for this movie at almost 3 but he loves it. He's enthralled with the train, the elves, and the idea of traveling to see Santa. The movie is sweet but does have disturbing scenes. The children are celebrated for who they are and are encouraged to believe, lead, and trust. This will be a classic in our home for years to come.
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