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The Polar Express - Special Edition [DVD] [2004]

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The Polar Express - Special Edition [DVD] [2004]

DVD ~ Tom Hanks

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	47% buy The Polar Express [2004] [DVD] 4.2 out of 5 stars (39)
	42% buy the item featured on this page: The Polar Express - Special Edition [DVD] [2004] 4.7 out of 5 stars (15)
	4% buy Madagascar [DVD] [2005] 3.8 out of 5 stars (66) �3.98
	3% buy The Snowman/Father Christmas [DVD] [2005] 4.2 out of 5 stars (11) �7.18

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Product details

Actors: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari
Directors: Robert Zemeckis
Format: Box set, Dubbed, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen
Language English
Subtitles: Arabic, English, Icelandic
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number of discs: 2
Classification: U
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: 14 Nov 2005
Run Time: 96 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

ASIN: B000AYYGVU
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 15,837 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Director Robert Zemeckis revolutionized the art of animated film in 1998's WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT by dropping cartoon characters into the same frame with flesh-and-blood actors. In THE POLAR EXPRESS, live action and animation have merged seamlessly, resulting in sparkling super-realism - a landmark technique Zemeckis and his Sony Pictures Imageworks team call Performance Capture. In the story, a disillusioned little boy--just old enough to doubt the existence of Santa Claus--has the adventure of a lifetime one fateful Christmas Eve. Clad in his pyjamas, he climbs aboard a magic train to the North Pole, driven by a kindly train conductor. Among myriad jaw-dropping moments, the train plummets brakeless through crystalline mountains in a simulated roller coaster ride. Going off the rails, skidding sideways, and snaking violently across a frozen lake, the train arrives at the North Pole (a vast, glowing city of brick buildings). At that moment, the car carrying the kids detaches and they're sent tumbling down never-ending chutes and slides until they land in the middle of Santa's Workshop. With its fascinating tale and impressive technical frolics, THE POLAR EXPRESS is destined to become both a holiday classic and a new turning point in the art of animated cinema.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Polar Express, 29 Nov 2005

By	Mr D J Cannon (Broadstairs, Kent United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Wow! I have just bought this for my sister, who incidentaly is 64years young, and I know she will love it. If you love Christmas and all that it stands for, you will love this film. Shed a tear, be thrilled or just soak up the sentiments. A must for ALL the family. I bought myself a copy as well!! Happy Family viewing. Watch it time and time again.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely capitvating - despite the animation style, 20 Dec 2006

By	Alan Sturgess - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I didn't know what to expect with this film, but as I thought I'd spend some money this year building a collection of classic Christmas films on DVD, I added this one to the list and, thankfully, I opted for the 2-disc version.

At first I was phased by the freakish near-accuracy of the animated figures. Almost human, but not quite. Only the elves and and train drivers are in any way caricatures. All the children, the adults and Santa are meant to be as lifelike as possible. The little girl is amazing in this respect - utterly believable.

Perhaps it's because I still write poetry for children that, even at the age of 61, maybe I still retain a bit of the childish sense of magic and joy that is essential to enjoy this film. Because that's what it is .... magical and joyful. At times, it is sentimental, but this never becomes too sickly. At times there is high drama and genuine tension. There is also mystery and a few images and questions which are deliberately left unexplained so that you either want to watch the film again, or think about them at your leisure. (Who, for instance IS the tramp who lives on the top of the train? Why is the boy asked if he believes in ghosts? ....) Yes, maybe they over-use the 'roller-coaster' ride effect once too often, but it doesn't really matter. What REALLY counts is that this is a film that draws you into its fantasy world and holds you there with 100% assurance so that you can always be confident that what you are watching is a great story with lots of twists and a very satisfying ending.

If you want a truly magical Christmas film, this one deserves to be right up there at the top of your list.

Oh yes - and why is the 2-disc version the best? Because the features explaining how the film were made are fascinating.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Christmas Film, 30 Nov 2005

By	Mrs Jos Kemp (Warwickshire, UK) - See all my reviews

Me and my four year old loved this film - it is ideal for all of those "BAH HUMBUGS" out there who don't believe in Santa!! It is a magical story that captures the importance of "believing" in Father Christmas and all things magical. It really makes you care for the main characters and is overall a very enjoyable film to watch on a cold wintry day.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic chrismas movie
this is a great movie for families and a great christmas movie,the animation is fantastic ,young and old will love it any time of the year.

Published 5 months ago by diljit singh

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Xmas film for kids and everyone else as well
I saw this in 3D in an Imax theatre, and it's definitely worth the money -magical entertainment, a story that is great for children but moving even for adults. Read more

Published on 27 Nov 2006 by Miland Joshi

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Adventure
This is an amazingly crafted adventure that keeps you interested from start to finish i just gotta say what a shame there aren't more movies like this these days. Read more

Published on 7 Mar 2006 by Steven Stewart

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the Best Christmas Film Ever
I bought this for my 2 year old son who loves trains etc and we saw the trailer and I was hooked. We've now watched it loads of times (sometimes 3 times a day). Read more

Published on 5 Jan 2006 by FUNK COLLECTOR2

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC FILM
i first saw this film on imax last year. it's on imax still and is worth travelling a great distance to see the amazing 3D visuals. Read more

Published on 29 Dec 2005 by mcarri

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute wonderment
Listen - I'm going to keep it brief. I am a university lecturer in film, with a doctorate in film analysis and a good deal of geeky experience in this area. Read more

Published on 19 Nov 2005 by Dr. S. J. Haynes

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Believe'
Having a Christmas film released either at the cinema or onto DVD has almost become tradition, and the filmmakers are going to have a hard time making one next year to top this... Read more

Published on 17 Nov 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Perennial?
I also took my family to the Imax to see the Polar Express in 3D and I have to say that we all found it quite stunning. Read more

Published on 12 Nov 2005 by andyrads

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical from beginning to end
I read the picture book of the Polar Express some years ago. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is about as Christmassy as you could imagine. Read more

Published on 7 Nov 2005 by AJ SEVERYN

4.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful to Watch
I was mesmerized by the way this film is made from start to finish. If you love animation films, then this is an ultimate. Read more

Published on 3 Nov 2005 by M. Joussef

› See all 15 customer reviews...

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