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November 17, 2004
Christmas cheer
Tonight I saw one of the most offensive films I've seen in ages. Graphic violence? Degradation of innocents? Racist attacks? None of these. It was Robert Zemeckis' new film starring Tom Hanks, The Polar Express. A traditional American Christmas tale, the film is all about a little "Hero Boy" learning that "sometimes the most important thing in life is something you cannot see."
On face value, the story is simple, based on a 29-page children's book about a boy learning to believe in Santa Claus. In 2004 the naive subtext is astonishing and frightening. The people behind this movie are clearly chuffed with having created a digitally innovative work that pulls at the heartstrings of traditional Americans in difficult times but it comes across as pasted on too thick. Rarely have I seen a more inappropriately timed celebration of Amercian excess. Christmas elves busying themselves with cries of "Time means money", Mr Claus himself, resplendent in his Coca-Cola colours addressing a gathering that looks not a million miles from a Nuremberg rally, and of course, presents, presents, a whole mountain of them in fact.
Without an aggressive bone in its body, this film is clear evidence that some, if not many Americans, have no idea how their attitudes will play overseas. For those who passionately hate the idea that it's OK to bomb, shoot and disempower in the name of "freedom" and then go home to celebrate "Christmas cheer" and "goodwill to all" will especially hollow.
Too much angst over a film that deservedly merits a look for its use of bleeding edge performance capture? Maybe. But I've been swayed by the argument that you can't separate a film from its times. Whatever its aesthetic value, The Polar Express is further evidence of the evil and insidious nature of dominant media. Hundreds of people worked for 20 months to bring this pap to the big screen. Millions will be targeted by it. Good thing I'm not the only one who's not buying the line that it's just a feel-good kids movie.
PS. Howto start a flame war on IMDB? "Who knows that Christmas could work people up so much".
Posted by .M. at November 17, 2004 01:33 AM
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