We have compiled a list of animated movies and specials that will be airing during this holiday season.  The shows listed are based solely on the movies and characters regularly covered on DTW.  Gather the family and enjoy!

NBC      Sat. Nov 28, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles: Now fighting boredom in suburbia, a former superhero and his family get a chance to save the world. (Zap2it.com)

ABC      Mon. Nov 30, 8:30 PM - Shrek the Halls: The ogre’s plans for a cozy family Christmas go awry when Donkey, Puss in Boots and the rest of the fairy-tale gang try to join in the fun. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Tues. Dec 1, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet: Born without the ability to sing, a young emperor penguin expresses himself and hopes to attract a mate through his amazing dancing talent. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Wed. Dec 2, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet

AFAM  Wed. Dec 2, 7:00 PM - Pixar Short Films: A collection of 20 computer-animated short films includes “Rescue Squad Mater,” “Jack-Jack Attack,” and Oscar-winners “For the Birds,” “Geri’s Game” and “Tin Toy.” (Zap2it.com)

A snowman pulls out all the stops in attempting to break out of his snowglobe in Pixar's short "Knick Knack."

AFAM  Thu. Dec 3, 6:00 PM - The Polar Express: A train conductor guides a boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus to the North Pole. Based on a book by Chris Van Allsburg. (Zap2it.com)

AFAM  Thu. Dec 3, 8:30 PM - The Polar Express

NICK    Sat. Dec 5, 11:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life): When Santa gets a case of ferret fever, Otis and the animals vow to make toys and deliver them on Christmas Eve. (Zap2it.com)

NBC      Sat. Dec 5, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles

ABC      Wed. Dec 9, 8:00 PM - Shrek the Halls

NICK    Wed. Dec 9, 7:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life)

DISN    Wed. Dec 9, 8:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King gives the yuletide season a touch of Halloween in an animated tale from the mind of Tim Burton. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Thurs. Dec 10, 12:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

DXD      Fri. Dec 11, 5:00 PM - The Polar Express

NICK    Sat.  Dec 12,  11:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life)

DXD      Sat. Dec 12, 8:30 PM - The Polar Express

AFAM Wed. Dec 16, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet

AFAM Fri. Dec 18, 7:30 PM - Cars: A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. (IMDb.com)

AFAM Sat. Dec 19, 8:00 PM - Ratatouille: Remy is a young rat in the French countryside who arrives in Paris, only to find out that his cooking idol is dead. (IMDb.com)

AFAM Fri. Dec 20, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles

DISN   Mon. Dec 21, 8:00 PM - The Polar Express

DISN   Tues. Dec 22 8:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

FAM    Wed. Dec 23, 10:00 PM - The Polar Express

AFAM Fri. Dec 25, 6:00 PM - The Incredibles

DISN   Fri. Dec 25, 3:30 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Source(s):
Holiday TV specials [Cincinnati.com]
ABC Family (magazine ad)

All times are Eastern Standard Time and programming may vary.  Check your local listings.

Director: Robert Zemeckis Starring: voice of Tom Hanks Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes Theatrical Release: November 10, 2004 Shop for Polar Express Merchandise

Plot Summary

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Combining classic storytelling with cutting-edge filmmaking, The Polar Express debuts a highly advanced version of motion capture technology developed and tailored to meet Zemeckis’ uncompromising vision and is the first feature ever to be shot entirely in this format. (from PolarExpressMovie.com)

Film Review

The Polar Express isn’t your usual animated film. Using motion capture technology like that which was used for creating Gollum in the Lord Of The Rings films, director Robert Zemeckis brings to life the children’s story on the big screen. The end result is a mixture of failures and triumphs.

The animation in Polar Express opts for a more realistic approach to rendering the characters. While some moments they look more cartoony than in others, the overall feel of the film gives off this creepy, almost ghostly aura. The fact that they’re supposed to resemble real people yet have hollow and often empty eyes gives the movie a sort of video game feel. The movie works best at a distance, when the camera is pulled back from the action and we see less detail in their faces. At the same time, the action involving the train and the North Pole is breathtaking to say the least. One of the most memorable sequences sees the train sliding across the ice as the camera swoops in from a distance while the train glides in our direction and we’re whisked right through the train to its engineer’s grip on the brake.

The story is a fun fantasy about kids who are starting to question the reality of Santa Claus who are given a free ride to the North Pole to see him. While it focuses primarily on the secular side of the holiday, it’s a benign and charming little tale. The film, which honestly surprised me to be just rated G, does include a few moments that may be a little too intense for the younger audiences. A hobo on the train is rather ominous at times while “Hero Boy’s” encounter with a puppet is the film’s creepiest moment. The movie also chugs along a little too slow in some sequences, dragging down the pacing too much at times.

The voice talents in The Polar Express all work nicely, with the exception of — believe it or not — Santa Claus. The film paints him a little too serious and almost a little too god-like, complete with a deep and intimidating voice that is merely an eerily altered version of Tom Hanks’ voice. Otherwise, Hanks does a fabulous job as the train’s Conductor and the Boy’s Father, and even The Hobo. Hanks’ Bosom Buddies co-star from his breakout TV role, Peter Scolari, makes a surprise appearance acting out Lonely Boy, a young child who has never had a true family Christmas. It’s interesting to note that all of the children were acted out by adults (with motion sensors), yet voiced by children. But it does surprise me that Zemeckis & company didn’t aim for more varied voice talents as the use of Hanks in four key roles kind of gives the film a somewhat cheapened feel (i.e. couldn’t they afford more voice actors?).

Another strike against the film is the character Know-It-All. A bratty kid with a nasally voice perfect for grating on the nerves of the most patient. Know-It-All is humorous in his first few moments but downright intrusive when given more screentime towards the end of the film. All faults aside, however, The Polar Express has enough charm to keep its engines running and enough eye candy to keep our attention. It’s just, with a little tweaking here and there, a faster pace, and maybe less realistic (and creepy) looking characters, the film would have been a lot stronger.

Overall, The Polar Express may be your best bet for a Christmas film this year. This brand of animation looks like it still needs some work, but it seems as though the filmmakers may have something significant on their hands if wielded correctly and developed to its full potential. Regardless, round up the family and feel good about taking them on this fantasy-based train ride.