Polar Express

[pinklillie]

Trying to introduce my little one to some good Christmas Films. I've heard all the hype about The Polar Express and he loves trains so win win.

He is absolutely loving it but I just can't warm to it!

It's so creepy in places too!! I almost keep expecting something really bad to happen.

Could just be me though?!

It's not just you, the animation is creepy.

Muppet Christmas Carol, start with the best.

Not you, I can't watch it - it's one of the most unsettling films I've seen due to the weird faces

Definitely creepy animation. Once you get used to it, it's a good Christmas movie. I don't like the muppet one though!

It’s the “uncanny valley” effect, the animation is close enough to “real” to trigger a sense of unease.

I love Christmas films but hate the Polar Express with a passion, its sinister and creepy. The Santa Clause is good, Home Alone 1 and 2, and Miracle on 34th Street.

Oh it is creepy but that’s part of the charm! My dd is now 19 and it’s always been her fave Christmas film and she makes us watch it every single year 😆

There is a whole hypothesis around it - Google 'uncanny valley' and it explains it

So glad it isn't just me. My DS finds the Santa scene in The Stick Man unsettling for some reason. My idea was to get him used to Santa and now the Santa has just come on in this and he's really creepy but at least DS isn't bothered by it! Oh maybe it is Uncanny Valley i've just looked that up!

It doesn't make any sense. If FC is real why has he never been to the poor boy before?

No it doesn't does it! The poor boy dressed in old clothes and has never had Santa visit. Also what's the man on top of the train got to do with it too!

Never been a fan of polar express, my youth club members rav about it but it leaves me cold.

Our favourites are

Muppets Christmas Carol
Elf
A boy called Christmas
The Grinch
The nativity films ( the first 3, rocks is a bit meh)

Home alone made my DS worry I would forget about him and leave him so that was a fail.

We tried watching it when DS1 was five or six. Settled down to watch it, fully expecting a lovely festive delight, the way people spoke about it. It didn’t take long for DS to get upset at the darkness and creepiness. I thought it was bloody awful! Sinister elves. Scary man on top of the train. Not bothered since!

Arthur Christmas is great as is Muppets Christmas Carol. And Netflix has a good Xmas short called Robin Robin.

It's horrible. Creepy elves, creepy hobo man. Love the caribou though!

DS hated Elf - didn't understand why his biological dad was such a cold bastard, why he had to leave the north pole where his 'real' dad was s lovely. I can't stand Mary Steenbergen being a total doormat and their son being so ignored. Will Ferrell as the elf is funny, Zoe Dooshcanoe (whatever her surname is) is annoying.

Muppets all the way here. And Home Alone - the new 4th one wasn't that bad, no scary burglars, just a silly couple.

Arthur Christmas is flashy and noisy and the elves are like Milk Tray Man ninjas!

We loved Scrooged (DS is 11yo).

Hes never seen The Snowman - I still carry the emotional scars from 1982, I'll never watch it again! Far better to see A Nightmare Before Christmas!

Also think it creeepy

My dc were terrified by the Polar Express when they were young. Yes to the Santa Clause, Elf, White Christmas, the Snowman and I seem to remember Mickey's Christmas Carol too.

I completely agree with you OP
It is creepy looking.

I agree with whomever suggested The Muppet Christmas Carol. Brilliant film.
"Oh there goes Mr Humbug, there goes Mr Grim" etc
Love It

I really don't The Polar Express either. DC don't mind but aren't too fussed.
My favourites are:
Elf
Muppets Christmas Carol
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Klaus (Netflix)
Christmas Chronicles 1

& of course, Die Hard

I am adding all of these to my list now! I was looking at Polar Express trains for nearer Christmas and for when he's a little bit older but it's put me right off not magical at all!