What are movie critics "smoking" these days?

[Catchawave]

I took my special needs 31 year old child to see The Polar Express yesterday in a packed movie theater where the average age was probably NINE <---adults in attendance included in averaging stats.

((Sidebar: Before the movie started, I wasn't sure this was a good idea, as the sound of out-of-control bratty little snots was deafening.))

The movie BLEW me away, the kids holding me hostage didn't make a peep the entire movie, that should tell ya something?

However, the print media reviews are starting to roll in and they have been HARSH. I just don't understand this.

Why is it I never agree with movie critics, especially that some of them obviously "don't believe" <---don't want to give the plot away.

But some call this 'night of the living dead' or 'children of the corn'....and other zombie analogies? I don't get it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I am glad to read this! Thanks! I just read a People magazine review

where they said the film was unnerving because the eyes of the characters appear "dead". It looked like a wonderful, fantasy filled, film to me. Now I know I'm going to take the kids. I always rely on real people critiques! :hi:

[tridim]

3. I agree that the animation suffers from the "lifelessness" problem

Especially the character's mouths. I've only seen clips, but it really bothered me. The story might be wonderful, but the animation looks pretty poor. They'll get it right eventually, but it's not there yet.

[7th_Sephiroth]

8. they needed square/enix to do it

damned if they dont do near perfect renditions of people, and thier all train freaks there too (see final fantasy 8) actually i wouldent mind seeing selphie getting a cameo

[Catchawave]

13. Absolutely....

Take the kids! Any age will enjoy and appreciate this really different art form, not to mention a truly great and artsy film experience that doesn't include subtitles. Not since Gene Wilder's Willie Wonka, I tell ya, this is the next great classic the whole damn family can enjoy.

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. will the polar express

replace ralphie and his quest for the red ryder bb gun as the traditional x-mas movie to be shown for 24 hours straight on TBS?

[Feathered Fish]

4. NEVER!

You'll shoot your eye out!

[7th_Sephiroth]

7. better not

good thing i have the dvd just incase

[Jade Fox]

5. Many adults are convinced children like (and need)....

to watch condescending, maudlin, sentimental garbage as opposed to
to something that challenges and actually entertains them.

[Catchawave]

14. I agree....

Not sure what my problem is, but if the critics like it, I usually hate it, and vice versa.

In this case, I think the critics who hate it, are not Tom Hanks' fans either ? And bless his heart to try something new and not worry about making money. This is definitely a love it or hate it movie.

Those of us who are older, will definitely have that "inner child" experience feelin', imo, always a good thing:silly:

[Jade Fox]

15. Read Ebert's review....

Someone posted the link lower down on the thread. He had some interesting
things to say about qualities of the children's movies which become
classics.

[CO Liberal]

6. Many Movie Critics Think They're Better Than Everyone Else

For example, when I was growing up in NJ, WNEW-TV in New York (now FOX station WNYW) had a movie critic named Stewart Klein. Klein seemed to feel that the only movies worth seeing were obscure French films with English subtitles...

[goddess40]

9. any in-arm infants in the audience?

I took my son to see The Incredibles and some women brought her baby with her. This isn't the first time either, although I've decided to tell them to leave if the kid starts crying.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. Movie critics suffer from "Emperor's new clothes" syndrome

If one says something, the others follow like a swarm of bees. I think they do this because they fear if they are an individual they may be singled out as being "a bad critic" and dumped. Better to be one of the herd than a straggler to get picked off.

[chiburb]

11. Ebert LOVED it... 4 Stars.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041109/REVIEWS/41006005/1023

[Catchawave]

16. Quote from Ebert's review....

"The Polar Express" has the quality of a lot of lasting children's entertainment: It's a little creepy. Not creepy in an unpleasant way, but in that sneaky, teasing way that lets you know eerie things could happen. There's a deeper, shivery tone, instead of the mindless jolliness of the usual Christmas movie. This one creates a world of its own, like "The Wizard of Oz" or "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," in which the wise child does not feel too complacent.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041109/REVIEWS/41006005/1023

Good enough for this woman-child, er, child-woman <ggg>

[Dukkha]

12. I plan on seein it in IMAX 3D

The one negative review i heard is that it had a drak vibe to it, which is positive to me.