The Polar Express [DVD] [2004]

Product Information

The Polar Express: Two-Disc Widescreen Edition is, as its name points out, a two-disc set. The film appears on the first disc, while the special features are on the second. Telford Polar Express is a lovely Christmas experience with the re-telling of the story whilst drinking hot chocolate and eating a cookie. The Polar Express characters entertain the carriage which is decorated festively. On arrival at the ‘North Pole’ you will see festive lights and Santa will board the train giving out gifts. Enjoy a 30 minute performance in a heated marquee before setting off on your 60 minute Polar Express train ride.

The transfer of The Polar Express looks extremely good. It's presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1, and is anamorphically enhanced.That said, the whole experience is very similar to all of the other Polar Express train rides with singing and dancing Polar Express characters. There will be singing and dancing chefs and you will be encouraged to recount your own Christmas memories. If you don’t fancy wearing Christmas pyjamas, a Christmas jumper is a great alternative! What to expect from a Polar Express Train ride Location: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Polar Express location: Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF.

Location: Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, Wallingford Station, 5 Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9GQ. Location: Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, DL7 9AR. If you and your little ones love the Polar Express Movie, you are bound to love this Polar Express experience. Want the ultimate Polar Experience? Here’s how to book a DIY Lapland trip on a budget.

Map of the UK Polar Express Train Rides

Visually, The Polar Express is a treat. Here we can see computer graphics coming to maturity in film; the technology is used here to create a picture-book world with a soft, magical feel to it that not only is faithful to the look of the original picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, but is also perfectly matched to the tone of the film. Technology also makes it possible to create some simply amazing shots, and entire scenes, that would have been impossible otherwise. The "dancing waiters" sequence is eye-poppingly clever and engaging, for instance, but then again, the entire film is filled with one scene after another that offers breathtaking images and amazing visual flights of fancy (sometimes literally so). Each passenger will receive a silver sleigh bell as a gift from Father Christmas who you will meet during the train ride. When the closing credits roll and you think "I want to watch that movie again!" you know you've just seen something special. That's the case with The Polar Express: it's a polished little gem of a film that tells its story exactly right and leaves you feeling charmed and delighted... just like the protagonist, the little boy who falls asleep on Christmas Eve wondering if Santa Claus really exists, only to be woken up by the thunderous arrival of the Polar Express to take him on a trip to the North Pole to meet the great man himself. I am compelled to note that the menus for The Polar Express are highly annoying, as they are extremely lengthy and unskippable. I did discover later that when the anti-piracy screen is playing, if you press "menu" repeatedly you'll finally jump to the static menu screen. The film uses a technology called "performance capture," wherein an actor actually gives a three-dimensional performance which is recorded digitally by a computer, to then be manipulated into animated art. Performance capture is an extension of CGI and, as used in films like THE LORD OF THE RINGS, further blurs the line between what is animation and what is special effects. The process seems to work fairly well as far as body movement goes; the animated characters move with genuine lifelike grace that is far superior to previous attempts, such as the animated action sequences in SPIDER-MAN or THE HULK. Indeed, a dance sequence involving a band of hyperkenetic waiters is a showstopper. But the process just does not work as far as detailing facial features.

Duration: The return journey lasts around 1 hour with a 30 minute performance beforehand. Swanage Railway Polar Express Location: Wealden Railway Co. Ltd, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY. The last and most minor special features include a mini-game in which you steer the train (no big thrills there) and a trailer for the upcoming Polar Express computer game.

Do you have to wear pyjamas on the Polar Express?

Duration: The Staffordshire Polar Express Train Ride lasts about an hour with the whole experience lasting about 2 hours.

There are currently 12 locations across the UK where you can find a UK Polar Express Train Experience. If you happen to be in the US, there are many more US Polar Express locations there! During the journey, you will meet characters from the film, most notably the Polar Express conductor and, of course, Santa. There will be singing and dancing and each passenger will receive a gift. What age is best for the Polar Express train ride? The Polar Express Christmas train ride is based on a lovely Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg (also one of the best Christmas movies for kids), The Polar Express. These Santa steam train journeys offer a fabulously festive Christmas family day out.

Do I have to watch the Polar Express film to enjoy the experience?

Birmingham is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas with kids and your visit would not be complete without a ride on the Polar Express. Colors and contrast are perfect, with warm, bright, or dark tones as needed in any particular scene, and excellent use of light and shadow to create an interesting atmosphere. As we'd expect, the print is absolutely clean, and the overall visual impression is a highly pleasant one. The only flaw I noticed was a very slight bit of artifacting in the occasional long-distance shot, but overall The Polar Express has a solid and nicely handled transfer.