The Polar Express has never looked better at home.
There is this weird thing about seeing the Polar Express at home, I don’t believe Robert Zemeckis ever intended on the film being an ideal pick for the small screen. The computer animated Christmas spectacular wasn’t just a movie; it was an event, an experience people needed to see on the big screen.
In fact those of you who shrugged off Polar Express in the theaters last year, because it was easier and cheaper to wait for it to hit DVD, will probably be completely under whelmed by the film. The reason for this is the film is filled with many roller coaster, thrill ride like visuals that were designed intentionally to make use of IMAX 3D technology. In other words unless you have a mammoth TV in your living room don’t expect to be anywhere near as exhilarated by The Polar Express as you otherwise could have been.
Based on the classic children’s novel written by Chris Van Alsburg and adapted for the screen by Zemeckis, The Polar Express is about a young boy who is beginning to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve a mysterious steam train takes him on a magical adventure to the North Pole where he finds the true meaning of Christmas.
While the basic premise of the book is heartwarming and timeless, it would be stretched quite thin if it were alone made into a feature length film. That was where the collaborative and imaginative minds of
Zemeckis, and his collaborator and star Tom Hanks, came in. Hanks, who provides the voices and the facial features of the adult male characters, and Zemeckis have turned the children’s book into quite an exciting spectacle.
The film takes its stunning visual cues directly from the book itself and it pays off spectacularly. The cool, pastel look has been recreated digitally and brought to life using computer-generated graphics. Perhaps the only drawback to the visual look is the cartoonish and somewhat hollow look of the characters up close. They all seem so devoid of humanity, and some just look bizarre. The young girl’s face in the film looks strangely like a predecessor of Homo sapiens, with very ape like features resembling a Homo erectus or a Neanderthal.
Equally as disturbing are many of the characters voices. While some are fairly good, many of them are blatant adult voices behind the animated children’s faces. However many of these faults are forgivable
since the roller coaster ride the visuals takes us on are so exhilarating.
Now released at home on DVD and BluRay in 3D, the IMAX experience is nearly recreated for at home audiences. However, not only do you lose the obvious advantage of screen size, but the gorgeous color as well. While the image is crystal clear, the red and blue 3D glasses taint the beautiful palate of the picture. Luckily, audiences are treated to the original theatrical print of the film, and in 1080p it looks flawless. While nothing beats the IMAX experience, The Polar Express has never looked better at home.
The Polar Express
Actors: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, 3D, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number of discs: 1
Rating: PG
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008
Run Time: 100 minutes
This review lacks the revealing truth that the home 3-D version is hopeless.
It reminded me of the late, drunken friday nights of my youth. I tried the brightness alteration to clear things up like the insert suggested but that did nothing. I believe that Warner Brothers should issue a recall and full refund for people that purchased this version. False advertisement lawsuits should be started if a recall is not.
I got this last night and was really looking forward to it being a big fan of the original film. However, I was so disappointed from the word go I gave up towards the end. When the characters were close up on the screen it looked like there were 2 of them and it spoilt it for me. Some of it was really good, but those parts were few and far between. I totally agree with Jody that people should be offered a refund of this until they can at least sort it out and make it worth watching.
The 3D version of this movie is disgusting, totaly unwatchable, and a complete rip off by Warner Bros. Did nobody at Warner Bros bother to watch this prior to it’s release?
Just highlights how much these HUGE Hollywood studios actually think of their customers.
I totally agree with everyone. This movie is a classic and I was very surpised to see it go to 3D. I just bought this 3d version two weeks ago and as excited to be able to see a movie at home in 3d version; to my surprise I was very dissappointed. I got as far as 10 minutes into the movie and my eyes could not take it anymore. I don’t know how someone can really sit thru the movie and not have their eyes messed up! Although, I am glad they did package the regular movie.
Warner Bros. should give a refund, we were ripped-off big time!
I whole-heartedly agree with all the comments regarding the EXTREMELY POOR 3-D quality of the home DVD!! I WANT A FULL REFUND!!!! I am a big fan of the story and thought it would be great to have the 3-D version for my collection. It’s sad to know that Dreamworks got it right with their 3-D version of Bob’s Big Break. Which came with our purchase of Monsters vs. Aliens. So I know for a fact it’s not my tv. The Polar Express in 3-D is a waste of money!!! Purchase the original 2-D version instead. I am currently writing Warners Bros. to see if they’ll issue a full refund for the movie since the store I purchased from does not accept opened items for refund or store credit!!