The Polar Express [DVD] [2004]

We have started a Christmas Eve ritual in our house of watching the Polar Express because it comes closest to capturing the magical experience of Christmas -just like when I were a lad -except for my kids its probably because ....well they are lads.Originally released in 2004 and adapted from the book by Chris Van Allsburg the film caused a stir for it s use of "Digital capture " technology where The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the physical performances of the actors before "skinning" them with their animated forms. All the children's roles were acted by adults using over-sized props to get the movement right. It was also the first film to be simultaneously released as a 3D "Imax " feature.The story is pertinent in these cynical and grossly over- commercialised times at its concentrates on a boy ( never named but credited as "hero boy" and acted by Tom Hanks but voiced by Daryl Sabara) lying in his bed on Christmas and having a crisis of faith over the existence of Santa Claus who hears a steam train pull up outside his house ,Going outside to investigate still clad in his nightgown the slightly gruff guard( Tom Hanks) informs him that the train is the Polar Express heading for the North Pole. The boy initially declines the offer of a ride aboard the train but jumps on at the last minute is given a ticket marked "Believe" and finds out the train has other pyjama wearing children aboard including a confident young girl credited as "Hero girl" ( Nona Gaye) , a nerdy know it all ( Eddie Deezen) and an introverted boy( Named as Billy but credited as "Lonely boy" acted by Peter Scolari but voiced by Jimmy Bennnet) who sits apart from the other kids .All have had tickets with personal messages .During the journey he meets hobo( Tom Hanks again) who sits atop the carriages , the train is blocked by Caribou nearly derails and in a truly fantastic sequence he loses his ticket and we follow the flight of the errant ticket back to the train .They stop at the North Pole with five minutes to spare much to the relief of the stressed out conductor but when "Lonely Boy" stays on board the train "Hero boy" and "Hero girl" attempt to talk him off but they inadvertently separate the carriages and end up taking an unsupervised tour of the surrounding town and the elves toy factory before eventually meeting Santa Claus (Tom Hanks again) This encounter gives them the power to believe in Christmas again and something comes into "Hero boys" possession which resonates down the years .This is a great movie , beautifully directed by Robert Zemeckis with sly nods to his former films ( "Hero Boy" pulls the trains whistle and says" I've wanted to do that all my life" the same thing Doc says and does in "Back To The Future 3".)The story is wrung through with the enchanted mystique of Christmas -especially Christmas for kids yet it never resorts to trite cliché or becomes sentimental. Critics of the movie viewed the digital effects as giving the characters a sinister creepy ambience which says more about their state of mind than the film itself. It is actually a film about Christmas rather than a film set at Christmas where other things happen and basically seems to be saying that if we all just dropped our sceptical carapace and embraced the spirit of the season it would become a time for wonder again. This is simplistic not to mention unrealistic but for the 99 minutes The Polar Express is on you will believe it possible .December can be magic again.

It is a must watch movie before every Christmas. The delivery was fast and wonderful.

Perfect brand new item. Was fab watching with the family, young and old at Christmas. Superfast delivery. Would buy from again!!

Watching

Very happy thank you

Good

The Polar Express is, quite simply, the best Christmas film of all time! The plot is simple: a young boy living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who does not believe in Santa, boards the Polar Express on Christmas Eve and is taken to the North Pole to meet the man himself! "Seeing is Believing", says a Hobo who rides the rails with the boy. Well, after this film, you will have seen and you will believe.Picture Quality: 10/10. The picture gets full marks from me and, being honest, I don't give full marks often where Blu Ray quality is concerned. However, this one is visually exemplary!! It is a definite upgrade from any DVD counterpart, that's for sure. Colours and textures look really well and, really, the bottom line is that if you have young kids, I guarantee you this is a film they will treasure and enjoy for years to come, especially this Blu Ray release.Sound Quality: 10/10. I would also give the sound full marks for this release. By all accounts, the sound simply has a lovely feel to it, considering the nature of the film. Dialogue is spot on and the soundtrack in the background is also a real pleasure to listen to. The sound is top drawer, all things considered.Overall, I would highly recommend a purchase of the Polar Express on Blu Ray. In my opinion, it is the best Christmas film of all time, one that the young children in the family will really treasure and enjoy for many years! Also, when you watch the film, be sure to check out the special features, they are really very interesting.Buy it.Thanks for reading this. I hope it helps.

Might watch it early haha instead waiting until Xmas