The Polar Express

The Polar Express is a 1985 children's book, which was later made into a live-action/computer-animated movie that was released on November 12, 2004.

The film

The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is entirely computer animated using a novel technology called performance capture to provide natural movement and expressions for the characters. It stars actor Tom Hanks in five distinct roles, including that of the 8-year-old protagonist.

Related Topics:
Robert Zemeckis - Computer animated - Performance capture - Actor - Tom Hanks

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In addition to a standard theatrical format, a 3D version for IMAX was also released, generated from the same 3D digital models used for the standard version. It was the first animated feature not specially made for IMAX to be presented in this format.

Related Topics:
3D - IMAX

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The film expands a story that can be read in under three minutes into a ninety-nine-minute movie, while remaining true to the spirit of the original. The "Hot Chocolate" production number was derived from a single sentence and a single illustration. The "Hobo," "Lonely Boy," "Know-it-All," and "Hero Girl" characters, the scenes on rooftops and on the locomotive, and the runaway observation car sequence were all new to the film.

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The decision to model the characters so realistically was met with criticism from some reviewers, who felt that the appearances of the characters were "creepy" or "eerie" http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1493616/11102004/story.jhtml http://www.nypost.com/movies/20383.htm. This is related to the concept of the Uncanny Valley, which holds that the closer something appears to human, the more its dissimilarities may stand out and create a negative reaction in viewers.

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Initially, the movie seemed headed towards a box office failure after its opening week, but it was one of the few films to actually improve its gross in the weeks after its premier. In fact, by New Year's Day, 2005, the Polar Express ended up grossing over $150 million in the United States alone, silencing and shocking disbelieving critics.

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Trivia

• The locomotive sounds and image for the movie are from a preserved Pere Marquette Railroad engine, a 2-8-4. The locomotive number, 1225, fits with the theme of the movie, as Christmas falls on December 25. The locomotive was photographed and its sound recorded as it moved in order to provide a realistic feel to the movie. This locomotive is owned by the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservationand is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• The Pere Marqette 1225 was to have traveled to Grand Rapids, MI for the Polar Express premiere to be used as a fund raiser for the Children's Pediatric Hospice. Just days before the event, CSX Railway withdrew permission for the train to use its lines, citing interference with existing rail traffic.
• The movie contains references to author Van Allsburg's former hometown. The boy hero identifies Grand Rapids, Michigan as the city he lives in, and the train passes Herpolsheimer's department store (a former city landmark) on its way out of town. The film premiered in Grand Rapids.
• A video game also titled The Polar Express was released for the Sony PlayStation 2 based on the plot of the film. It was developed by Australian software company Blue Tongue Entertainment.
• The film's tagline is Journey Beyond Your Imagination.