Polar Express

Theatrical Release Date: 2004 11 10 (USA) / 2004 11 19 (USA - IMAX 3D)

UPC: 012569699854

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:[Excellent For Children, Children in Peril]

Summary: Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on children's author Chris Van Allsburg's modern holiday classic of the same name, The Polar Express revolves around Billy (Hayden McFarland), who longs to believe in Santa Claus but finds it quite difficult to do so, what with his family's dogged insistence that all of it, from the North Pole, to the elves, to the man himself, is all just a myth. This all changes, however, on Christmas Eve, when a mysterious train visits Billy in the middle of the night, promising to take him and a group of other lucky children to the North Pole for a visit with Santa. The train's conductor (Tom Hanks) along with the other passengers help turn Billy's crisis in faith into a journey of self-discovery. A long-time fan of Van Allsburg's book, Hanks also helped produce the film. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best Original Song – null Best Original Song – null Best Animated Feature – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Editing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Editing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Song – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Original Song – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: cc[None specified]

Polar Express

Format: DVD

Release Date: 11/22/2005

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 100 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,Spanish,French

Subtitles: English,Spanish,French

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- The Polar Express
1. Christmas Eve [3:28]
2. All Aboard [:04]
3. Another Passenger [:40]
4. Hot Chocolate [:04]
5. Ticket on the Loose [:45]
6. Hobo on the Roof [4:39]
7. Look Who's Driving [2:23]
8. Caribou Conversation [:04]
9. Hitting the Ice [:33]
10. Forsaken Toys [:04]
11. When Christmas Comes to Town [2:23]
12. The Polar Express [3:03]
13. Where's the Brake? [4:48]
14. Steven Gets a Break [4:58]
15. Billy's Present [5:36]
16. Elf Action [1:37]
17. Readying for Santa [:04]
18. I Believe [:51]
19. First Gift of Christmas [:04]
20. Dash Away All! [4:29]
21. Tickets Fully Punched [:04]
22. What Matters [:42]
23. For Whom the Bell Rings [:04]
24. End Credits [3:03]

Karl Williams

Even if it didn't boast state-of-the-art motion-capture effects, the holiday adventure The Polar Express would be a notable film for the way it patiently compiled an impressive box-office haul the old-fashioned way: gradually over time, thanks to strong word of mouth. That's a stark contrast to the usual harbinger of a film's success: the ritual, vigorous looting of moviegoers' pockets in one or two weekends, quickly, before anyone realizes the film stinks. Its slow build was probably due to a marketing campaign failure -- a blitz of television commercials that made the film's animation seem stodgy, dull, and flat. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Director Robert Zemeckis and his effects wizards faithfully render the distinctive style of illustrator and writer Chris Van Allsburg, the creator of the original children's picture book upon which the film is based, with magically arresting results. If The Polar Express flags a bit in the middle, it's due to the strain of stretching a very short story into a feature-length running time, but that's the only flaw in what is otherwise an instant holiday classic. Tom Hanks delivers a skillful performance in multiple roles (especially as the flinty conductor), and kids are sure to be swept up in the literal roller-coaster ride that the movie becomes. Though it's a polar opposite (pun intended) in tone, it is exciting to note that, just six months later, Sin City (2005) from director Robert Rodriguez represents a second notable effort to adhere as closely as possible to the creator's artistic vision and style, a remarkable and hopeful development in an era of cookie-cutter, corporate product. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Ed Gale  Actor 
Hayden McFarland  Actor 
Andy Pellick  Actor 
Dante Pastula  Actor 
Beth Carpenter  Actor 
Jon Scott  Actor 
Evan Sabara  Actor 
Sean Scott  Actor 
Jena Carpenter  Actor 
Mark Povinelli  Actor 
Mark Mendonca  Actor 
Eric Newton  Actor 
Devin Henderson  Actor 
Debbie Lee Carrington  Actor 
Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak  Actor 
Mark Goodman  Actor 
Kevin C. Carr  Actor 
Phil Fondacaro  Actor 
Connor Matheus  Actor 
Josh Hutcherson  Actor 
Brendan King  Actor 
Gordon Hart  Actor 
Karine Mauffrey  Actor 
Julene Renee  Actor 
Ashly Holloway  Actor 
Rolandas Hendricks  Actor 
Aidan O'Shea  Actor 
Sagiv Ben-Binyamin  Actor 
Aaron Hendry  Actor 
Chantel Valdivieso  Actor 
Josh Eli  Actor 
Bill Forchion  Actor 
Eddie Deezen  Actor 
Gregory Gast  Actor 
Bee Jay Joyer  Actor 
Chris Coppola  Actor 
Chris Coppola  Actor 
Glen Ballard  Composer (Music Score) 
Gary Goetzman  Producer 
Tom Hanks  Executive Producer 
Alan Silvestri  Composer (Music Score) 
Steve Starkey  Producer 
Robert Zemeckis  Director 
Robert Zemeckis  Producer 
Robert Zemeckis  Screenwriter 
William Teitler  Producer 
Chris Van Allsburg  Executive Producer 
William Broyles  Screenwriter 
Michelle Murdocca  Producer 
Jack Rapke  Executive Producer 
Chris Juen  Producer 
Tom Hanks  Actor 
Tom Hanks  Actor 
Tom Hanks  Actor 
Tom Hanks  Actor 
Tom Hanks  Actor 
Michael Jeter  Actor 
Michael Jeter  Actor 
Nona Gaye  Actor 
Peter Scolari  Actor 
Charles Fleischer  Actor 
Steven Tyler  Actor 
Steven Tyler  Actor 
Leslie Zemeckis  Actor 
Leslie Zemeckis  Actor 
Daryl Sabara  Actor 
André Sogliuzzo  Actor 
André Sogliuzzo  Actor 
Jimmy Bennett  Actor 
Isabella Peregrina  Actor 

Country: USA