The Polar Express Gift Set (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition with Snow Globe and Toy) | 
 enlarge | Director: Robert Zemeckis
Actors: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $45.95
Buy New: $26.89
You Save: $19.06 (41%)
New (20) Used (7) from $23.33
Rating:  545 reviews
Format: Ac-3, Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 12.5 x 7.7 x 3.3
MPN: WARD73796D
ISBN: 1419818473
UPC: 012569737969
EAN: 9781419818479
Theatrical Release Date: November 10, 2004
Release Date: November 22, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
Tell A Friend
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/30/2007 Rating: G
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)
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 540 more reviews...
 I am kicking myself for wasting money November 18, 2008
P. Holderman (North Cackelackey)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We bought the 3D version in total excitment and whimsical anticipation for a must have classic in our holiday library.
We watch this movie every year since it came out, on Christmas Eve. So with 3D coming to us we were extatic. Well, we received it Nov.17 and had to peek at it to see the great 3D awesomeness....
Do not fall for this - it is a horrible, double vision, color headache, poorly put together, misrepresentation of the original. It is a waste of 20+ bucks!!!
The 3D has got to be the worst I have ever seen. the double vision gives you a crossed eyed headache, and there is absolutely no adjusting it to help. I wish I could return it for my money back!!!!!!!
What a COMPLETE RIP-OFF! November 17, 2008
Travis Bickle (Las Vegas, NV)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The anaglyph 3D used here is absolutely JUNK - worse than anything I have seen, and certainly not of the usually high standards of WB Home Video. This is a MAJOR faux-pas for Warner Home Video, and a complete rip off for consumers. Double images, not depth. I urge Warner Bros. to go back and re-issue this in proper 3D form, similar to the "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", and let consumers get a replacement disc. What a way to kill the value of this great catalog title!
Despite the novelty, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
 A charming tale November 12, 2008
Fierce & Fond Reader (Clallam Bay, WA USA)
I loved Chris Van Allsburg's book and illustrations so was thrilled when the animated movie turned out to be as good as my imagination!
Lovely music and enchanting visions tell the adventure of a doubting young lad on Christmas Eve as he "dreams" of boarding THE POLAR EXPRESS on which there are other children and the only adult around, the wily and shape-shifting ticket conductor.
They're all off to see what the Spirit of the Season is all about and if there really is a Santa Claus.
I love it so much I gave copies to all my far-flung grown children to start a Holiday tradition with their children.
 3-D Imagery leaves much to be desired November 12, 2008
James M. Shertzer (Winston-Salem NC)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The red/blue 3-D system used here leaves much to be desired. There's a lot of ghosting (double imaging), particularly through the red filter, and few of the 3D images really "pop." All red/blue systems have their problems, but they seems worse on this DVD. Those snow flakes that ought to be so real you can almost catch them on your tongue are a blur. The magenta/blue system used recently on the home 3-D edition of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is much better and has much less ghosting. In all, "Polar Express 3-D" is a disappointment, especially if you saw "Polar Express" in IMAX 3-D a few years back or in several annual reissues.
Nicer Glasses Don't Work Any Better November 12, 2008
R. Adams (South Carolina)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I just wanted to let everyone know that nicer glasses don't work any better. I purchased a set of nice high quality plastic glasses hoping that this would correct the horrible double image with the cardboard glasses but it did not. The image looks exactly the same so don't waste any more of your money on that idea. It's too bad, this was such a wonderful movie in 3D.
|
|
|
