The Polar Express (2004)

Director:
Robert Zemeckis
Starring:
Swedish Voices: Jonas Bergström, William Nordell, Jasmine Heikura
Genre:
Animation / Family / Fantasy
Rating:
All aboard the most magical train in the heart of Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, we join a young boy aboard the Polar Express. Though he has begun to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, deep down he wishes more than anything to believe.

With hesitation, the boy boards the train at the invitation of a stern conductor. The conductor punches tickets into delicate, perforated letters—unique for each child—which eventually reveal special words of meaning.

They all eventually meet Santa, the elves, and the most incredible reindeer with a brilliance that is unmatched in Christmas history!

Their destination is the North Pole. One of the children is chosen to receive a magnificent silver bell from Santa's own sleigh. It is a wonderful holiday tale filled with excitement and great drama.

Reviewed by Iva (December 2004)
Editor's Note (2026): The Polar Express was a technical milestone as Robert Zemeckis' first fully "performance-capture" animated film. Iva’s focus on the radiant reindeer and the atmosphere highlights the film's ability to enchant, regardless of its technical innovations.

The Iva Bring-Johansson Collection Project

Originally produced as a weekly segment for HIT FM Stockholm, these reviews represent a lifetime of cinematic insight. Today, the archive is an evolving digital project, meticulously translating Iva’s original 1979–2021 work into English.

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