Road Queen 22

A young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole. On his journey, he meets various characters and learns about the spirit of Christmas. The film explores themes of belief, wonder, and the magic that can be found in the world if one only dares to believe.

The Polar Express was met with mixed reviews from critics, who praised its visual style and Tom Hanks's performance but criticized its emotional coldness and pacing. Audiences, however, often found it to be a heartwarming holiday film, particularly appealing to younger viewers.

• Praised for its groundbreaking motion-capture animation and visual spectacle.

• Tom Hanks's multiple roles were a highlight, providing a consistent anchor.

• Criticized for a lack of emotional depth and a somewhat creepy aesthetic in its character designs.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's unique visual approach and its festive holiday spirit, with many finding it a magical experience for children. Some viewers, however, found the animation style to be unsettling, and the narrative less engaging than expected.

Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, and Best Original Song ('Believe').

The film's distinctive visual style was achieved through performance capture technology, where actors' movements and facial expressions were recorded and translated onto animated characters.