| The Polar Express [HD DVD] | ![The Polar Express [HD DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YMb2%2BktVL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Robert Zemeckis
Actors: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $28.99
Buy New: $18.94
You Save: $10.05 (35%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $8.99
Avg. Customer Rating:   (557 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3658
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: HD DVD
Running Time: 100 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: HD80965
UPC: 012569809659
EAN: 0012569809659
ASIN: B000I2JKCO
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: November 10, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Amazon.com
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 DVD features
The most intriguing feature on the two-disc DVD is probably the six-minute sequence featuring a new song performed by the two engine-room characters, Smokey and Steamer. The animation is crude and the song is nothing special, but it does preserve the dual performances of Michael Jeter (he played both characters), who passed away during filming. One of the striking aspects of The Polar Express is its use of motion-capture technology to turn real actors into animated characters, and that is examined in a significant portion of the five-part 11-minute featurette, in the "look at" Tom Hanks's multiple performances, and in an Easter egg that offers a side-by-side comparison of the actors in their motion-capture suits with the finished film in the "Hot Chocolate" number. There's also a live performance of Josh Groban singing "Believe" followed by an interview segment with him and composer Alan Silvestri, author Chris Van Allsburg providing a five-minute capsulization of his career, a PC game demo, and a kids' set-top game. The version of the film on DVD is the standard theatrical version, not the 3-D version seen in IMAX theaters. --David Horiuchi The World of The Polar Express 
The book by Chris Van Allsburg | 
The Soundtrack | 
The Magic Journey (Polar Express the Movie) (book) | Stills from Polar Express (click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 552 more reviews...
 Polar Express 3-D is UNWATCHABLE December 2, 2008
First off, Amazon should separate the reviews for the 3-D DVD release and the standard version. They are not the same product. I am extremely disappointed that Robert Zemeckis allowed this so called 3-D version to ever reach the shelves. IT IS UNWATCHABLE. I feel like I was ripped off. Didn't anyone do quality control? Someone has made a lot of money ruining the trustworthy names of Tom Hanks and Robert Zemecus. No longer can we rely on these people to provide a quality product. I am very disappointed because usually love there work.
Very Pleased: Warner has made big bang for the buck December 2, 2008
I've seen the IMAX version and it's astounding....... the 3D surface to the boy's eyeballs with veins. Utterly amazing and highly recommended.
Do not expect that from the home version but I found the results on an high resolution laptop or an 52 inch LCD to be quite pleasing for the piddly price one pays for the DVD.
Here is what I think most complaints result from re: the 3D.
The cheap, cardboard glasses are not comfortable......Be glad they provided them for 16 bucks and two discs. A bargain.
The red is a darker red and is over the left eye....Most viewer's dominant eye...
The cyan is on the right and much lighter..
So then..... One's focus, because the dominant eye has such a darker color, wants to shift over to the right eye being dominant......(easier to see through the much lighter color) (That's why a bright screen really helps_the red then doesn't look so dark and the eyes don't try to shift back and forth...
This shifting of dominance between left and right really goofs up peoples comfort level in trying to view the film.
I found it greatly helps if you try to maintain your dominant eye-view through the left side when it tries to shift to the right eye...
Once you get used to this,.....The clarity and comfort level is much greater and more enjoyable.
Thank you warner for making bricks out of straw....... Our spoiled consumers just don't appreciate your valiant efforts..
1 Star for the 3D Version! December 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My son saw that this was in 3D and I thought "cool." Not cool. We tried watching it with the 3D glasses it came with. It was horrible, not clear, lots of "double" vision going on. The same day I purchased some other 3D glasses that had good reviews and were not made of paper or scratched.
Here we are watching it in the new glasses...still no go. Still have double vision and an unclear awful picture. Watch the regular version and turn up the sound. It's a better experience.
 The Polar Express December 1, 2008
I bought this movie before on the HD-DVD after seeing it in the Theaters in 3-d and it was not the same experience at home not being in 3d and now it in Blu-ray 3d with the glasses and the 3d works great with brings the movie the experience for with in was intended for not 2d as the movie itself is a very good x-mas story to watch every x-mas with the wow factor to make it fresh.
Classic December 1, 2008
What more can be said.... a classic for all the family... must have for any holiday collection
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