The Polar Express is a movie that begs the question, "How long can one stretch out a 30-page children's book?" The basic plot of a child who boards a magical train bound for the North Pole, meets Santa Claus, and learns a lesson about belief, is not nearly enough material to fill a feature length movie. To rectify this, the film's creators follow the example of those responsible for The Grinch and The Cat in the Hat, adding extraneous characters, plot elements, musical numbers, and LOTS of visual spectacle. These additions are no substitute for good storytelling, and the result is a movie that plods along pointlessly for the better part of an hour before finally establishing a plot.

When the movie eventually arrives at its destination (some time after the train does), the film is not bad. It captures the story's feeling of wonderment, and its message of belief, creating a Christmas tale that is at least inspiring, if not innovative. One feels that The Polar Express could have been a perfectly decent half-hour TV Christmas special, but the creators' attempts to stretch it out to a major theatrical release detract from the simplicity of its message.