", "Telford Steam Railway postpones 2020 Polar Express trains", The Polar Express Train Ride returning to Norfolk for 2020, The Polar Express Train Ride in Wensleydale 2020 – Yorkshire Dales, Polar Express Train Ride through South Devon cancelled because of COVID, The Polar Express™ Tram Ride is returning to Devon this Christmas, "The Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld Orlando Begins This Friday, November 12th...", "PlayStation Games & Media - Polar Express", "The Polar Express E3 2004 Preshow First Look", Warner Bros. theatrical animated features, The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie, Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion, Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya, A Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise, Mortadelo and Filemon: Mission Implausible, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Polar_Express_(film)&oldid=1014076209, American children's animated fantasy films, Films based on works by Chris Van Allsburg, Films with screenplays by Robert Zemeckis, Articles with dead external links from June 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2019, Articles to be expanded from January 2020, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture, Leslie Zemeckis as Sister Sarah (motion-capture) and Hero Boy's mother, Isabella Peregrina as Sister Sarah (voice), Ashly Holloway as Sister Sarah (additional motion-capture), Chantel Valdivieso as Hero Girl (additional motion-capture), Meagan Moore as Hero Girl (singing voice), Hayden McFarland as Billy the Lonely Boy (additional motion-capture), Brendan King and Andy Pellick as Pastry Chefs, Connor Matheus as Toothless Boy (additional motion-capture), This page was last edited on 25 March 2021, at 01:20. Box Office", "The 175m flop so bad it could end the 3D boom", "High-tech magic and true feeling make 'Express' a holiday classic", "Polar Express, The (United States, 2004)", "The Polar Express review – a trainful of sugar", "The 10 Scariest Movies and Why They Creep Us Out", "Do You Hear Sleigh Bells? Box Office" list by Forbes, placed after Home Alone and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.[20]. What is the instrument the Hobo is playing on the roof of the train? This story about believing in the magic of Christmas is brought to life for millions of families each and every year that enjoy the book and the motion picture. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer's harness. The engine in the movie, however, is noticeably different from the real Pere Marquette 1225, and somewhat closer to looking like an S-1 from the Erie Railroad. PLAY NOW → Van Allsburg Library. [10], The buildings at the North Pole refer to a number of buildings related to American railroading history. The Polar Express The Polar Express has melted hearts of the young and those who are young at heart, making it a worldwide Christmas classic. Bunny Hopper Express New for 2021 – The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad introduces The Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train April 2 & 3! The cow catcher is also bigger than it is in real life, with slats extending to the pilot beam, and it also lacks a coupler. The boy is chosen to receive this first gift. Zemeckis, however, felt that a live-action version was unfeasible, claiming that it "would look awful, and it would be impossible – it would cost $1 billion instead of $160 million. The Conductor tells him that the train is here to take him to the North Pole, so Hero Boyholds out his hand and the Conductor pulls him on board. The Polar Express™ Train Ride The Mid-Norfolk Railway's The Polar Express™ Train Ride will be back in 2021. This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. He meets a hobo camping on the roof, who offers him coffee and discusses the existence of Santa Claus and ghosts. A local scientist is often regarded as a failure until he invents a machine that can make food fall from the sky. The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about. The rear car is returned to the train as the children board to return home, but the boy discovers that he lost the bell through the hole in his pocket. Hanks plays five roles in the film including that of a small child (whose voice would later be dubbed in by Daryl Sabara). 6. A bell flies loose from the galloping reindeer's reins; the boy initially cannot hear it ring, until he finds it within himself to believe. [49] The only other known steam operated Polar Express train rides in the UK are by Vintage Trains, which operated Great Western 4-6-0 Hall class No. The film features human characters animated using live-action motion capture animation. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Tram Ride tickets sell out very quickly, so book quick. The train continues on at extreme speed, and the throttle's split pin (cotter pin) shears off; causing the train to accelerate uncontrollably to Glacier Gulch, down a 179-degree grade, and onto a frozen lake. 4.5 out of 5 stars (179) £ 3.56. Discovering Billy still alone in the observation car, the girl and boy persuade him to come along, but the boy accidentally uncouples the car; sending it back along the line, down a turnaround, through a tunnel where the wheels spark, and onto a railway turntable in Santa's workshop. For questions, please contact our office at 951-8604. [21] On Rotten Tomatoes, 56% of 208 critics gave the film a positive review, and an average rating of 6.42/10. The hobo skis with the boy along the tops of the cars toward the coal tender, where the hobo disappears right at Flat Top Tunnel.[a]. The Polar Express rides to victory. [8] The idea of a Scrooge puppet was conceived when Zemeckis looked at his toys he used to have, one of which was a puppet. The animation is quite good, and the movie is generally entertaining, but there is something about the story that doesn't quite connect with you. The conductor introduces the train as the Polar Express, which was on its way to the North Pole. A magical, beautifully animated holiday tale of Christmas spirit. Large Polar Express Inspired Ticket Card And Jingle Bell Believe in Gold or Silver Santa Christmas Eve Box Stocking Filler somethingquirky4u. Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"; "Cast Away") reunite for "Polar Express," an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Starting in a flashback on the night of Christmas Eve, dated 1955, a boy starts to become skeptical of the existence of Santa Claus. Steam train on December 31. The film tells the story of a young boy who, on Christmas Eve, sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor. Set to the music of the motion picture soundtrack, families will love thier trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. In its second weekend, the film dropped 33%, and grossing $15,668,101, averaging $4,293 from 3,650 venues and boosting the 12-day cumulative gross to $51,463,282. Hanks optioned the book in 1999 with the hopes of playing the conductor and Santa Claus. The Polar Express (20,229) IMDb 6.6 1 h 39 min 2004 X-Ray In this live action and animated movie, a disillusioned little boy, clad in his pyjamas, boards a magic train to the North Pole and has the adventure of a lifetime en route. Add this iconic train to any HO layout and bring the magic to life! 25 Days of The Polar Express: a variety of fun Polar Express-themed games and activities for every day in December up to the 25th!. [23] CinemaScore reported that audiences gave the film a rare "A+" grade. Summary of Teaching Ideas. As she and the conductor cross to the dining car, the boy notices that she left her unpunched ticket but loses hold of the ticket between the cars when he attempts to return it, and the ticket ends up blowing away into the wilderness where it is played with by animals. [12], In July 2002, Warner Bros. approached the locomotive's owner, the Steam Railroading Institute, to study the engine. The train takes the children to the center of the city, where Santa and the elves have gathered for the giving of the first gift of Christmas. One of the most striking features of The Polar Express is its vivid sensory description. The film opened at #2 behind The Incredibles, and earned $23,323,463 from approximately 7,000 screens at 3,650 theaters, for a per-theater average of $6,390 and a per-screen average of $3,332 in its opening weekend. Santa's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours. 25 Days of The Polar Express: a variety of fun Polar Express-themed games and activities for every day in December up to the 25th! [9] Initially Zemeckis considered having him play every role, but after trying this, Hanks grew exhausted, and they whittled down the number. This Christmas, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is coming to South Devon Railway! The site's critical consensus reads, "Though the movie is visually stunning overall, the animation for the human characters isn't lifelike enough, and the story is padded. The train soon arrives, but the children see no elves. “We are so excited to be running a Polar Express in Devon after successfully running the event in other areas of the UK. The film features human characters animated using live-action motion capture animation. The Polar Express is not Zemeckis' best film, but not his worst. [38] The film was nominated at the 3rd Visual Effects Society Awards in the category of "Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture. In a passenger car, he meets a spirited girl and a smart know-it-all boy. On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"; "Cast Away") reunite for "Polar Express," an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Chris Van Allsburgchose this desi… Later, the children see lights in the distance, which the Conductor says is the North Pole. [8], Principal photography of the motion-captures sequences began in June 2003, and wrapped in May 2004. "[25] Richard Roeper and Mick LaSalle also gave highly positive reviews to the film, with the former saying that it "remains true to the book, right down to the bittersweet final image"[26] and the latter giving it his highest rating of five stars, calling it, "an enchanting, beautiful and brilliantly imagined film that constitutes a technological breakthrough. "[22] The Independent reported in 2011 that the film "is now seen by many as a classic". Thank you for your interest in The Polar Express 2021. The Polar Express Train Ride also operates on the Mid-Norfolk Railway,[51] Wensleydale Railway,[52] South Devon Railway[53] and the Seaton Tramway operate the "Polar Express Tram Ride".[54]. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at South Devon Railway is truly the most magical Christmas experience. The Polar Express [6] Hanks stated that this method of working was "actually a return to a type of acting that acting in films does not allow you to do", comparing the process to performing a play in the round. Smokey uses his hairpin to repair the throttle as the train drifts across the ice to realign with the tracks moments before the ice breaks. [32] Stephanie Zacharek of Salon gave the film 1.5 stars out of 5 and said, "I could probably have tolerated the incessant jitteriness of The Polar Express if the look of it didn't give me the creeps. Hearing his … 2 of 4 users found this helpful 2 2. This is really an amazing movie, taking place on christmas eve. What unfolds is an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is at Wensleydale Railway with the magic of the 2004 motion picture THE POLAR EXPRESS™ being theatrically re-created so you and your family can be immersed in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children's tale. [37] The film was nominated at the 77th Academy Awards in the categories of Best Sound Editing (Randy Thom and Dennis Leonard), Best Sound Mixing (Randy Thom, Tom Johnson, Dennis S. Sands and William B. Kaplan), and Best Original Song for "Believe" (music and lyrics by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri). [2] It appeared at No. When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off of his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Not creepy in an unpleasant way, but in that sneaky, teasing way that lets you know eerie things could happen. "[30], The character design and animation were criticized for dipping into the uncanny valley. When the know-it-all boy claims that the conductor will throw the girl from the train, the boy recovers the ticket and dashes to the dining car in search of the conductor, climbing onto the roof. [59][60], Model railroad builder Lionel continues to make Polar Express train sets and equipment, including locomotives, traincars, and trackside buildings. 25 of 27 people found this review helpful. News Corp. To Buy Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Division For $349 Million, News Corp to Acquire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Book Unit, Including ‘Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy, for $349M, Holiday Movies Streaming With Amazon Video, Top Grossing Movies That Never Hit #1 at the US Box Office, Happy Hanksgiving, A Celebration of Tom Hanks, 2 Broke Girls: And the Very Christmas Thanksgiving. One year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City - and the same criminals are not far behind. "The Polar Express" has the quality of a lot of lasting children's entertainment: It's a little creepy. The Polar Express is a 2004 American computer-animated Christmas adventure film[1] co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on the 1985 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who also served as one of the executive producers. After the Polar Express stops in front of Hero Boy's house, the Conductor steps out and looks at his window, prompting him to come outside. Title: A video game based on the film was released on November 2, 2004 for GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2 and Windows, developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment and published by THQ. [19] The film has made $187,224,490 domestically, and $126,275,943 overseas for a total worldwide gross of $313,500,433 (including all re-releases). Initially reluctant, the boy jumps aboard as the train departs. The Polar Express™ by Chris Van Allsburg is the heart-warming story about the power of belief and has touched the hearts of millions. [citation needed], The soundtrack of the film was released on November 2, 2004, through Warner Sunset Records. 2015 was the final year of operation for the Polar Express Experience and Wild Arctic has since operated on a year-round schedule. View production, box office, & company info. This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 10:30am, and will travel along the Nantahala Gorge River to our picturesque layover destination, for Easter themed activities and Egg Hunt. "[36], In 2008, the American Film Institute nominated The Polar Express for its Top 10 Animated Films list. "[39], The film has also spawned multiple real-world holiday train-travel experiences based loosely on the film's train journey all over the United States, as well as Canada, and even the United Kingdom under license from Rail Events Inc.[40], These include the Polar Express train ride held at the Grand Canyon Railway,[41][42] the Polar Express Train Ride of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad,[43] the Polar Express Train Ride of the Texas State Railroad,[44] and The Polar Express Train Ride at Aspen Crossing. On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. Situated 15 miles west of Norwich in the hear of Norfolk, is the village of … Raised as an over-sized elf, a human travels from the North Pole to NYC to meet his biological father who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. The locomotive pulls five passenger cars (however, some scenes show the train with more or less), including an abandoned toy car at the front and an observation car at the back. This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. 3 in the "25 Highest-Grossing Christmas Movies of All Time at the U.S. "[27] James Berardinelli gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, stating that it is "a delightful tale guaranteed to enthrall viewers of all ages", and ranked it as the 10th best film of 2004, tying with The Incredibles. This lavish gift set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a … The Polar Express Synopsis. [57][58] The plot of the game is somewhat different than the film version. The conductor pulls Smokey's beard, causing him to let out animal-like noises, and the caribou herd clears the tracks. In this warm-hearted tale, a young boy's faith in the holiday spirit is revived after he makes his way by train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Starring: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen Watch all … Pleasant", "The Polar Express - Original Soundtrack", "The Polar Express In IMAX 3D Returns to Theaters This Holiday Season", "Warner's 'Polar' Pricing Aimed at Goosing Margins", "The 25 Highest-Grossing Christmas Movies Of All Time At The U.S. Guests feel the motion of the locomotive as well as the swinging of the train on ice and feeling of ice crumbling beneath them. A group of animals who have spent all their life in a New York zoo end up in the jungles of Madagascar, and must adjust to living in the wild. The elves escort them out before Santa and his reindeer arrive. Polar Express (48,662) IMDb 6.6 1 h 39 min 2004 X-Ray G A doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The visual effects and performance capture were done at Sony Pictures Imageworks. [6] One of the conditions of the sale was that the resulting film not be animated. [15], In addition to standard theatrical 35mm format, a 3D version for IMAX was also released, generated from the same 3D digital models used for the standard version.[16]. The airing brought in 13.2 million viewers, winning its timeslot and ranking 20th in the Nielsen ratings that week, according to TVTango.com. Find Fritz: Fritz the dog shows up in The Polar Express as a puppet on a post of the boy’s bed frame. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Those people who are like "its not realistic" it's a christmas movie for gosh sake. [6] The two acquired the rights to the book the following year. The Polar Express is a 1-1/4 hr round trip that runs November 13 – December 31. 5197 & 6046 courtesy of Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire. Cynics will sneeze in shock; children will cuddle up and dream along. In November 2007, SeaWorld Orlando debuted the Polar Express Experience, a motion simulator ride based on the film. Countdown to Christmas. This is the larger hard back version and an amazing price for it (£9.75 INC PP), from Aprohead books, best proce I found. Ticket options . [46], The UK's first Polar Express train rides were hosted on the Dartmoor Railway and the Weardale Railway which were both owned by the company British American Railway Services. In the locomotive's cab, the boy discovers that the girl has been made to supervise driving the train while the crew Steamer and Smokey replace the headlight. The film was released on DVD as separated widescreen and full-screen versions in single and two-disc special editions (with bonus features) and on VHS on November 22, 2005, one year after the film came out. The weekend total also included $2,100,000 from 59 IMAX theaters, for an IMAX theater average of $35,593, and had a $3,000,000 take since Wednesday. What unfolds is an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. [14] The whistle, however, was taken from Sierra Railway No. The Polar Express is a children's book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg and published by Houghton Mifflin in 1985. The Polar Express is a 2004 American computer-animated Christmas adventure film co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on the 1985 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who also served as one of the executive producers. There are multiple car options available. [24], Roger Ebert gave the film his highest rating of four stars, saying, "There's a deeper, shivery tone, instead of the mindless jolliness of the usual Christmas movie", and "it has a haunting, magical quality". The train arrives at the North Pole, where the conductor announces that one of the passengers will be chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself. [35] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote, "There's no way of knowing whether they drank the company Kool-Aid. He runs back to his room and looks through magazines and encyclopedias for confirmation of Santa and the North Pole, but to no avail. The Polar Express (Anderson Press), written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, is a magical picture book that can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and which offers many opportunities for introducing and developing visual literacy skills. Late on Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. The boy returns the girl's ticket for the conductor to punch, and as the three return to the passenger car, the Hobo uses a Scrooge puppet, taunting the boy and calling him a doubter. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is back in 2021! However, despite his now old age, the bell still rings for him, as it does "for all who truly believe". Given the Coronavirus situation we no longer feel confident that we can deliver the Polar Express that we have all come to know and love. [17][18] It was released on HD-DVD with bonus features in 2006 and on Blu-ray with bonus features on October 30, 2007, both presented in the original widescreen aspect ratio. Join National Holidays as we take a trip on the famous Polar Express™ to the North Pole, a journey that’s guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit and will make you and all the family feel as though you’ve been transported directly to the Warner Bros. film, which starred Tom Hanks. This Christmas plenty of Brits will be spending more time at home due to … The film was made with a production budget of $165 million, a record-breaking sum for an animated feature at the time. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring. The boy reflects on his friends and sister eventually growing deaf to the bell over the years as their belief faded. Written by The ticket reenters the passenger car, but not before the conductor notices its absence and escorts the girl back to the rear car. ISBN number 978-1-544-58014-5.The cloth board covers are in a Maroon colour with a silver bell embossed and the dust jacket is the usual image of the polar express itself. [31] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film one out of four stars, and called it "a failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong". An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. Dates & tickets will be on sale in the new year at midnorfolkthepolarexpressride.com Display: List / … Crazy about the biscuit delivery lorry he dubbed the Polar Express: The 25-year-old driver whose partner is expecting twins who is being quizzed over deaths of 39 migrants in his truck All Aboard to the North Pole! He and his younger sister Sarah joyfully ring the bell, while their parents, not believing in Santa, don't hear the bell and say that the bell is broken. The attraction was available until January 1, 2008,[55] and was open annually during the Christmas season. 1225's drawings and the sounds from recordings made of the 1225 operating under steam. The film grossed $286 million worldwide during its initial run, and $314 million with subsequent re-releases, and was later listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film. In order to keep his vision a new process was created by which actors would be filmed with motion capturing equipment in a black box stage which would then be animated to make the resulting film. “All Aboard” The Polar Express™ this Christmas Season. It also brought in a total of $30,629,146 since its Wednesday launch. The Polar Express reminds children and adults alike that the world is full of wonder—all one must do is look for it, listen, and believe. Acknowledging comments by other reviewers, Ebert said, "It's a little creepy. [61], 2004 animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis, Detroit Free Press, November 4, 2004 "Meet Chris Van Allsburg". The Polar Express. The Polar Express is a treasured holiday tradition. The film had its network television premiere on ABC on December 1, 2006. 901 West Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21223 United States 410-752-2490 Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children. Seeing a shadow of what appears to be Santa Claus, he soon discovers it's his parents and sister, Sarah. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy applies the brakes and the train stops coming across a herd of caribou blocking the tracks. The Polar Express is a family favourite watch during the festive period. These services were all diesel hauled, however in 2016, Telford Steam Railway became the first UK line to run the Polar Express with steam,[47][48] powered by one of two American-built S160 2-8-0 locomotive's No's. Still, from the looks of The Polar Express it's clear that, together with Mr. Zemeckis, this talented gang has on some fundamental level lost touch with the human aspect of film. RayzorMoose Nov 13, 2013. The Polar Express is the titular magical 2-8-4 wheel configured American Berkshire type steam locomotive that transports children to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. On arrival, he tumbles down never-ending chutes and slides to land in the middle of Santa's workshop. We are sure visitors to the … The 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. He suddenly hears some noise from downstairs and runs to investigate. The film tells the story of a young boy who, on Christmas Eve, sees a mysterious train bound for the North Polestop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor… Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, 'The Polar Express Diary': Part 4 -- Keyframe Animation, "8 Festive Facts About The Polar Express", "Iconic steam engine offering rides from Mt. [13] The engine in the film is modeled from the PM No. Drawings of the locomotive were used to create the 3D model. "[7] Zemeckis felt that such a version would rob the audience of the art style of the book which he felt was "so much a part of the emotion of the story". "[29] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian also gave the film three out of five stars, saying, "After a promising and distinctive start, a railway adventure to meet Santa runs off the rails. Railway is truly the most striking features of the train departs Express takes layout and bring the magic life. 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