Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari and Eddie Deezen in the Robert Zemeckis movie ‘The Polar Express’

The season of holidays that mark the end of fall and the beginning of winter have begun for those of us living north of the equator. The adventure and comedy movie that marks a notion of Christmas in an endearing and animated sense is our focus in bringing you this touchpoint for the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express (2004).

(From left, Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara, Hero Girl as portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe, and Billy the Lonely Boy as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The adventure of The Polar Express centers around the experience of finding joy in the notion of Christmas, as told primarily from the perspective of children, with three children earning the primary focus. The role of Hero Boy is filled primarily by Tom Hanks, with Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara also supporting voicing and animation efforts. Hero Boy becomes a close friend with Hero Girl, portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe. Hero Boy and Hero Girl take special care of Billy the Lonely Boy throughout the movie, as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall.

(Know-It-All as portrayed by Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Know-It-All offers a belief in the notion of Santa Claus and Christmas through the film, yet offers a delightfully ornery take on friendship and knowledge sharing that offers a comic relief through the film. Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak portrayed Know-It-All throughout The Polar Express. The adults offering the message of belief throughout, with this character present to foil the mood, was a welcome touch.

(Conductor was one of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The character Conductor keeps much of the larger experience of The Polar Express together. He pulls in with the train bearing the name of the movie to the towns in Michigan, headed to the North Pole for a visit to see Santa Claus. The introduction of Hero Boy and Billy the Lonely Boy offer a charm that begins much of the enchantment that is to come.

(Hobo was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The festive set of refreshments, ticket taking and admonitions to safety, wonder and enjoying the journey to the Santa Claus, Hobo presents himself to Hero Boy during his moments of doubt throughout the movie’s metaphorical belief journey. In declaring himself king of the North Pole, Hobo offers the Hero Boy and Hero Girl get a chance to drive the train. We meet Steamer and his assistant Smokey, to the delight and worry of all passengers of the train. Michael Jeter and André Sogliuzzo combined to portray Steamer and Smokey.

(Santa Claus was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Passing into the arctic circle was a significant event for the journey to see Santa Claus, which was accompanied by further storytelling in the North Pole. Hero Boy, Hero Girl and Billy the Lonely Boy take a journey separate from many of the other travelers aboard the Polar Express. The coveted seeing of Santa, and the opportunity to open the first present of Christmas, are promised to our four main kids. How would this be earned? Would Santa Claus be seen by all the kids? Will the kids believe? All questions of redemption the spirit of staying connected to the innocence just a little bit longer. These questions are answered, and more, come Christmas morning where Hero Boy and we reconnect with Sister Sarah and Hero Boy’s parents. Leslie Zemeckis portrayed Sister Sarah with Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway.

(From left, Sister Sarah as portrayed by Leslie Zemeckis, Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway and Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The charming interplay between character, place, and the corresponding questions of artistic vision made the computer-based animation underlying this film a respectable choice. Maintaining the artistic qualities from the 1985 Chris Van Allsburg book titled The Polar Express, and doing a computer animated approach, is a choice that I personally support. I grant The Polar Express as directed by Robert Zemeckis 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, November 27, 2021

Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and the Joe Johnston movie ‘Jumanji’

The movie Jumanji (1995), and the franchise that followed, began as the 1981 picture book Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg. We choose to look at the fantasy adventure movie from 1995, starring well known actors and a charming mix of twists and turns that many a family audience can enjoy.

(From left, Laura Bell Bundy as young Sarah Whittle and Adam Hann-Byrd as young Alan Parrish in the Joe Johnston movie Jumanji).

The story of Jumanji begins perhaps 10 or 15 years before the current day in 1995, with the game at the center of the movie beginning play with young Alan Parrish and young Sarah Whittle playing the board game Jumanji. Adam Hann-Byrd and Laura Bell Bundy portray Alan and Sarah as kids, with appearances by David Alan Grier as Carl Bentley and Jonathan Hyde as Samuel Parrish in the youth of Alan and Sarah.

(From left, Bonnie Hunt as Sarah Whittle, Bradley Pierce as Peter Shepherd, Kirsten Dunst as Judy Shepherd and Robin Williams as Alan Parrish in the Joe Johnston movie Jumanji).

The notion of Jumanji as a board game permits that story begun in the past to span many years into the modern day of 1995, wherein we are introduced to Judy Shepherd, Peter Shepherd and aunt Nora Shepherd as they begin moving into the Parrish house once occupied by Alan and his parents, Samuel and Carol Parrish. Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth portray Judy, Peter and Nora, respectively. Patricia Clarkson portrays Carol Parrish. It is the move into the home by the Shepherds, along with the initial uncertainty of a move into any neighborhood, that gets Judy and Peter playing the board game in the present day.

(From left, David Alan Grier as Carl Bentley and Bebe Neuwirth as Nora Shepherd in the Joe Johnston movie Jumanji).

The playing of the game introduces the fantasy of what Jumanji has to offer the audience and the characters of the movie. It takes the playing to introduce Bonnie Hunt as Sarah Whittle and Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, both as adults who have experienced much since the initial introduction of characters from the past. We get to be reintroduced to Carl Bentley in a new career as police officer, while Jonathan Hyde is reintroduced as Van Pelt.

(Jonathan Hyde as Samuel Parrish, left, and Van Pelt in the Joe Johnston movie Jumanji).

The shenanigans that ensue humorously entertain while offering engaging revelations about the interpersonal struggles experienced by the several characters. The struggles are shared in relatable ways that make for enjoyable entertainment that I recommend for many. A similar vein is used in the later franchise of movies that came along with a different cast, with an updated spin that makes the appeal here for a more recent audience.

(From left, actor Robin Williams and director Joe Johnston on the set of the Joe Johnston movie Jumanji).

The movie Jumanji as directed by Joe Johnston tells a story of adventure and fantasy. The mixture of family friendly humor and relatable experience makes the film work for most audiences. That I enjoyed the experience through multiple full and partial viewings, leads me to give Jumanji 4.0-stars on a scale of one-to-five.

Matt – Saturday, May 29, 2021