The Polar Express (Widescreen)

 

 

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After hearing of this movie through word-of-mouth, I went to go see it one snowy day and was astounded. This film, following the story of a boy who stops believing in the magic of Christmas and so is swept up late Christmas Eve onto the Holday Express, is a heartwarming visual gem that is sure to be enjoyed time and time again. The music is fantastic, the story with actual depth, and the all digital animation was so much better than I had expected. My advice? Buy this movie now, because you and your family will end up renting it every Christmas to come anyways.

The movie is fairly good on its own. It's not one of my favourite Christmas movies but when I saw it was out on DVD in 3-D I was excited to get it. First I was worried when I saw that it comes with the blue & red kind of cheap "3-D" glasses and now having watched some of it I am hugely disappointed. There is almost no depth to the picture, the colour is destroyed by the blue and red of the glasses and the image is sort blurry and doubled. Skip the 3-D version if you want this movie on DVD.

People look at me funny when I say that I had never heard of The Polar Express until this film was released. Somehow, I was never introduced to the book as a child. Hopefully, with this wonderful film now available along with the original book, no other child will grow to adulthood without taking a ride on The Polar Express. It's a wonderful story about the spirit of Christmas and the importance of giving. The incredible animation of the film may always be the first thing people speak of, but in the end it really does come down to the story. It is not what you see, it's what you feel - these are the memories that will linger.

The digital animation that brings this story to visual life is nothing short of astounding. This revolutionary "performance capture" technology makes these characters the most life-like animated characters I've ever seen. I think they look more human than actual humans, truth be told - except for Santa. It's a weird thing about this Santa Claus; he immediately reminded me of none other than Harry Potter's Professor Snape (even though Santa's voice was actually that of Tom Hanks). I've heard that some kids found the whole visual look of the characters rather creepy, but I think the uncanny technology really makes the film come alive. By incorporating the motions of live actors into the digital creative process, filmmakers were able to imbue their creations with the nuances of human expression, and one can hardly underestimate just how much that adds to the viewer's experience of the animated story. It's really quite incredible. Traditional animation would hardly have done this story justice, and it would have been incredibly challenging to film such a magical journey in the traditional manner. This film has some of the most unique and exciting camera angles and perspectives I've ever seen.

It's hard to see how anyone, child or adult, could not enjoy this movie. It's an incredible journey, filled with both excitement and comedy, to the North Pole, for Pete's sake. There are also moments of great warmth and emotion - most of them supplied by the Hero Girl (Nona Gaye). Tom Hanks may steal the show in his performance of five different roles, including the Hero Boy at the center of things, but the Hero Girl - who befriends a forlorn little boy (Peter Scolari) who shies away from everyone else - is the heart and soul of this film.

I chuckled when I read the editorial review because I also thought of Nuremberg when I saw the masses of elves rallying around Santa before his Christmas Eve departure. Clearly, though, there is nothing but joy and kindness in this mass assembly of people - er, elves. I loved this movie. Unless you're a grinch or a Scrooge, just watching it will take you back to your own days of childhood and the magic that Christmas once brought. The Polar Express is a visually dazzling, heart-warming, exceedingly good (in all senses of the word) motion picture.

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2.0 out of 5 stars not true 3-D
I bought this movie to see it in 3-D on a 3-D TV. I was not pleased to discover that it is not true 3-D. It is terrible I'm sorry I purchased it. Read more

Published 17 days ago by Not happy

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product - great service
Thank you very much, got the product on time and in great condition, you just got an other satisfied customer will certainly order again from this supply, best regards

Published 5 months ago by colette

5.0 out of 5 stars The Polar Express [ blu ray ]
Hi Everyone . The Polar Express Is Truly A Christmas Classic. If You Enjoy Christmas Movies Add This To Your Collection For Sure . Read more

Published 7 months ago by JIM HIGGINS

3.0 out of 5 stars disappointing service
Received the item in not so good condition-had a slash in it on the case cover(was supposed to be a gift but couldn't give it to them in this condition). Read more

Published 11 months ago by ss

5.0 out of 5 stars polar express
this film is really really good ,the effects are fantastic. i am a foster home for handicap people especially mental deficiency. Read more

Published 15 months ago by jackie

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the new 3D !! Requires red green glasses
Product is not the new 3D compatabile with new 3D televisions! Comes with the old '50's style red/green glasses.

Published 16 months ago by Disappointed

4.0 out of 5 stars 3D effect good with 3d plazma TV/blu-ray...
Just wanted to clear things out a bit about the 3D effect on this bluray. I noticed some people here are talking about using some cardboard yell/blue glasses?!! Read more

Published 16 months ago by V. racanelli

3.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, but only on blue ray, no DVD copy
It is a great movie. We always wanted to own a copy. Kids love it. Blue ray quality is excellent. But I was very disappointed that no DVD copy was included. Read more

Published 17 months ago by bpg

5.0 out of 5 stars Polar Express
This is my favorite Christmas movie. I bought it for my 2 young nephews and they enjoyed it very much.

Published 17 months ago by PEIBambi33

5.0 out of 5 stars Has become a classic for my pre-school girls
My two pre-school girls LOVE this movie. After taking it out of the library a zillion times last year, I caved and purchased it for them. Read more

Published 17 months ago by L. Manuel

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