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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Polar Express, The

    Featured In Issue 115, December 2006

    Picture5
    Sound4.5
    WSR Score5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    80965
    (MPAA Rating):
    G
    (Rating Reason):
    Appropriate for all ages
    (Retail Price):
    $28.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (HD-30)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    100
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2004
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    10/10/06
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Robert Zemeckis
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital+ 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Dreams become reality when a young boy—who no longer believes in the magic of Christmas—takes a golden ticket ride on The Polar Express. Based on the book and paintings by Chris Van Allsburg. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Special features inlcude a fascinating four-minute featurette which explains how Tom Hanks stars as the boy, the father, the conductor, the hobo, and Santa Claus; meet Author Chris Van Allsburg (five minutes); and take a five-minute behind-the-scenes peek at creating "Believe" with Glen Ballard, the writer of the song, and singer Josh Groban. Next take A Genuine Ticket To Ride (five featurettes at approximately two minutes apiece) and learn about "Performance Capture," "Virtual Camera," "Hair And Wardrobe," "Creating The North Pole," and "Music." Flurry Of Effects, whch runs almost nine minutes, is a motion-capture featurette told in four sessions. Also included are three additional footage segments: "Smokey And Steamer" deleted song, Josh Groban at the Greek, and filmmakers' childhood Christmas memories. There are also two trailers.

    The incredible detail and eye-poppingly vibrant hues of the 2.38:1 HD DVD picture make it a great follow-up to the fantastic DVD. Shadow delineation and contrast is well rendered. Now, when are we getting this in HD 3D? (Danny Richelieu)

    With its fantastic fidelity, deep, tight bass, and articulate dialogue, the Dolby® Digital Plus 5.1-channel soundtrack is a delightful experience. And, when combined with the fantastic visuals, you have a great release. (Danny Richelieu)

    Reason #56 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I am most interested in the formats (audio) of DVDs. I buy a DVD, and then it is re-introduced in a deluxe package some time later. I am not that interested in the extras, but the DVD is invariably upgraded in sound. This is usually DTS ES surround but in some cases DTS ES 6.1 (discrete). Most reviews (Home Theater, Stereophile Guide To Home Theater, Sound And Vision) do not address this situation. I am subscribing to Widescreen Review, hopefully, to solve this problem. I am looking forward to my first issue and a long relationship with your magazine.

    Tom Smith
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