why this family film is controversial, 20 years after its cinema release

If you are looking for a film to watch with the family, this classic animated film may not be the best choice. Twenty years after its release, the feature film, broadcast this Thursday, December 25 at 1:45 p.m. on France 2, is controversial.

Do you have any strange memories of your favorite animated films from your childhood? Something that seems fishy to you? If we are to believe several Internet users, the film The Express Polereleased in 2004, is very problematic, and should not even be shown to children, to whom it is nevertheless aimed. This Christmas special animated film, broadcast Thursday December 26, 2024 on France 2, has attracted criticism since a Reddit forum user pointed out everything he found strange in the writing. “It’s terrifying”wrote this user of the platform about the Express Center. According to him, the film promotes the use of manipulation and intimidation through fear of adults on children. “So gross… Don’t show this movie to kids.” Very quickly, other forum users agreed.

These characters from Express Center which would pose a problem

In The Express Polea little boy doubts the existence of Santa Claus. Convinced by the driver of a train heading to the North Pole, he gets on and discovers a magic he never suspected. On the Internet, some have pointed out the attitudes considered toxic by the adults in the film, and in particular that of the train controller, compared to the unbearable behavior of the children, according to them. The author of the original post even felt that insisting that children get on the train represents a huge “alarm signal”… Others also felt that the elves in the film were deliberately pinked to appear alcoholic.

Tom Hanks plays several characters from the Express Center

These opinions are not universal, however, and the film remains a Christmas classic for many. On the forum, fans of the feature film came to its defense and asked not to extrapolate with adult eyes on The Express Pole. It must be said that this film left its mark on a whole generation of children in the early 2000s… In the film, Tom Hanks lends his voice to a multitude of characters, including Santa Claus, the young hero and the conductor of the train . In 2005, The Express Pole had also won the children’s prize for best film at the BAFTAs. Twenty years later, The Express Pole should have a sequel!

Article written in collaboration with 6Médias