Maybe you also know the feeling. The moment in childhood when Christmas suddenly loses a little of its magic. When the question arises as to whether the presents really come from the Christ child or Santa Claus – and a little of that magic that previously captivated us fades. The nameless main character in the Christmas film The Polar Express is in exactly this mood. On his journey to the North Pole, the boy sets out to find the lost magic – and in the process discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
The Polar Express on Amazon Prime: It doesn’t matter where you go – what’s important is the decision to get on
A boy who no longer really believes in the magic of Christmas is woken up in the middle of the night. A huge train thunders through his small residential area – the Polar Express. Destination: North Pole. The perfect opportunity for the boy to find out whether Santa Claus really exists.
But as the conductor so aptly says: “It’s like that with trains: where you go doesn’t matter, what’s important is the decision to get on.” And that’s exactly what the boy does – equipped with skepticism, but also a large portion of curiosity.
Watch a clip from The Polar Express here:
The Polar Express – Clip (German) HD
The story that the film tells is there much more than just a train ride. It’s about friendship, faith and the things that make Christmas special. With a plot full of twists, suspense and heartwarming moments, the film makes us wish we were kids again for a few hours.
Magical animation and a Hollywood legend in almost every role
In addition to the touching story, the technology behind The Polar Express is particularly fascinating. The film uses something that Gollum recently brought to life in Lord of the Rings – motion capture. Almost all of the characters in The Polar Express were “played” by none other than Tom Hanks – and were also spoken by him in the original. From the conductor to the boy himself – Hanks’ performance creates a unique atmosphere and brings the characters amazingly to life.
Another highlight are the musical elements. The song “Believe” by Josh Groban is particularly memorable. It always plays in the background and spreads a special melancholic Christmas atmosphere that you just don’t want to let go of. The combination of unique animation, emotional music and lots of fun makes The Polar Express a timeless Christmas classic.
Family, hot chocolate and tree decorating: My tradition with The Polar Express
For me, this film is so timeless that it has become a Christmas tradition. Every year my family decorates the tree on December 23rd. Equipped with hot chocolate, The Polar Express is playing on the television at the same time. This gets me into the Christmas spirit every year and prepares me perfectly for Christmas Eve.
So let’s get started: Make some hot chocolate, get on the couch and allow yourself to have a little faith in Christmas again. Then maybe you too can hear the bells in the film again.
The Polar Express is currently available as a subscription on Amazon Prime Video and WOW.
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