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DVD The Polar Express (Two-Disc Full Screen Edition)
Destined to become a holiday perennial, The Polar Express also heralded a brave new world of all-digital filmmaking. Critics and audiences were divided between those who hailed it as an instant classic that captures the visual splendor and evocative innocence of Chris Van Allsburg's popular children's book, and those who felt that the innovative use of "performance capture"--to accurately translate live performances into all-digital characters--was an eerie and not-quite-lifelike distraction from the story's epic-scale North Pole adventure. In any case it's a benign, kind-hearted celebration of the yuletide spirit, especially for kids who have almost grown out of their need to believe in Santa Claus. Tom Hanks is the nominal "star" who performs five different computer-generated characters, but it's the visuals that steal this show, as director Robert Zemeckis indulges his tireless pursuit of technological innovation. No matter how you respond to the many wonders on display, it's clear that The Polar Express represents a significant milestone in the digital revolution of cinema. If it also fills you with the joy of Christmas (in spite of its Nuremberg-like rally of frantic elves), so much the better. --Jeff Shannon
Review(s): DVD The Polar Express (Two-Disc Full Screen Edition)
Spectacular
Evreyone who said this movie was creepy was an idiot. this is actully one of the best christmas movies ever.
Like the North Pole... It's pretty but cold...
At one point in the film THE POLAR EXPRESS, the train conductor remarks "Like a well-oiled machine". He is talking about the work accomplished by a group of elves, but he might as well have been reviewing the film. THE POLAR EXPRESS is far more a technical achievement then a heartfelt adventure.
With its meticulously detailed environments and backgrounds, this film is stunningly gorgeous. The characters are a major accomplishment if not for the walking dead qualities of the eyes and mouth. They never cross the realm into believability, the backbone theme of the film. But when it comes to excitement, the film delivers in spades with its many rollercoaster like rides aboard the Polar Express!
The film is also a marvelous achievement in sound design. From the sounds of the North Pole to Christmas music old and new (and one shockingly odd song performed by Tom Hanks and a bunch of dancing chefs), your ears are carried along on the journey.
The casting of the film is somewhat of a misfire. It is fun seeing Tom Hanks in many of the roles, but his appearance as a mirthless, un-jolly Santa Claus is surprising, and in the end a drawback. The voice of a know-it-all 9 year old kid is provided by 46 year old Eddie Deezen (Eugene from GREASE), and I longed for him to shut up.
If you have the option in your area, check out the film in IMAX 3-D. The experience is truly masterful. Once again, the technical achievements are even more spectacular when played through that sound system and when each snowflake will have you wondering if it is really floating in the theatre. The 3-D technology is also getting better and less obtrusive. Gone are the heavy headgears, just big ole polarized lenses.
Will this film become a Christmas Classic? It's safe to say that children will be enthralled by the imagery in the film, especially the sights in the North Pole. In particular, the reindeer preparation and launch of Santa's sleigh for the evening is sure to please. The adults will appreciate that as well. But, the story sorely lacks an emotional core, something that family stories - especially Christmas ones - usually have in abundance.
Like the train itself, the Polar Express is a technical marvel: a big mechanical vehicle, with little heart or soul.
Too weird
I love the book and I have many memories with it. But the movie was a little...odd. The hot chocolate milk music (or what sounded like music) was really strange and I still can't figure out why they put it in there. I love Tom Hanks and I thought he did pretty good for playing numerous characters. The book to me will always have a special place but I can't say enough about though.
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