The Polar Express 3D Blu-ray (2004) [Region Free]

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by Joe D.

Hi Zivouhr,

Christmas Carol had some of the best 3D I've seen.

Good stuff, thanks. I liked the movie better than I thought I would when it was on TV last year in 2D only.

It's a good deal at 15.93 on amazon.com currently. If you don't have it, consider checking out Beowulf 3D blu ray 3D as an import, but probably available on amazon.com. Awesome 3D also.

[Jbug]

Christmas classic to me along the directors animated Christmas Carol, The Snowman, Jingle All The Way and Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas.

[levcore]

I rewatched this last night, with my parents who had not seen it before. Whilst it doesn't quite reach the heights of A Christmas Carol, it's a lovely, sweet whimsical adventure with so much to enjoy. The computer characters models are starting to show their age a bit now and obviously can't compete with the ones in A Christmas Carol but the excellent mo-cap still provides that uncanny sense of realism. Of course the 3D is beautiful to behold and this being a Rbert Zemeckis movie, there are so many wonderful imaginative shots and striking camera moves. He's a bit like Peter Jackson in that he's always trying to do something interesting with the camera and VFX shots. Obviously this movie is one big VFX shot but both directors do fantastic stuff with 'virtual cameras'.

Just look at that early scene where the lead boy loses the ticket between the train carriages and it flutters off and the camera tracks it all the way in one long unbroken 'shot'. Very striking, evocative and imaginatively done.

[ckenisell]

Did you know that there's a frame in the movie that perfectly matches every image in The Polar Express book?

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

If you don't have it, consider checking out Beowulf 3D blu ray 3D as an import, but probably available on amazon.com. Awesome 3D also.

I'm interested in this title. Anyone able to confirm if the German, French or Italian releases are region-free/able to be played on U.S. players? Also, is the 3D version the Director's Cut found on the 2D release?

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I'm interested in this title. Anyone able to confirm if the German, French or Italian releases are region-free/able to be played on U.S. players? Also, is the 3D version the Director's Cut found on the 2D release?

The single disc Italian Beowulf 3D entitled "La Leggenda Di Beowulf 3D" works on the PS3, PS4 US. I found it awhile back brand new for $25 plus shipping. Totally worth it IMO. It has extras, but it's the theatrical cut in 3D. 114 minutes.

[Filmmaker]

Hmm, theatrical cut, eh? I got some thinkin' to do...

[colombianlove41]

So here is my question: I skimmed through the forum and read the review. Does anyone know if with the 3D release, they updated the audio on the 2d disc to HD? I get that the 3D disc has HD audio but I'm looking to update my 2D disc. thanks!

[I-C-Blue]

Originally Posted by colombianlove41

So here is my question: I skimmed through the forum and read the review. Does anyone know if with the 3D release, they updated the audio on the 2d disc to HD? I get that the 3D disc has HD audio but I'm looking to update my 2D disc. thanks!

The 3D Blu-Ray release is actually a hybrid, carrying both 2D and 3D versions of the film. If my memory serves me someone here said the 2D encode has a lower bitrate than both the 2D Blu-Ray and Anaglyph 3D Blu-Ray. But for the most part you won’t be able to tell. The film has a naturally soft look with it to begin with.

While I’ll still love to see a 2D version with a higher bitrate, this 3D Blu-Ray/Anaglyph 3D Blu-Ray is still better than the 2D Blu-Ray for its lossless audio.

[jtchance]

Originally Posted by Joe D.

Hi Zivouhr,

Christmas Carol had some of the best 3D I've seen.

Joe I think BEOWULF is phenomenal.

[mar3o]

I watched this the other night again and I'm convinced there's a good amount of shots that were converted, and rather poorly, as opposed to being rendered in true 3D.

Overall the film is full of strong 3D moments, and it's clear it's been rendered in true 3D. But there are many, many shots that stand out as being an early conversion, as the scenes are visibly warped and distorted quite badly. An example is an early shot of the parents coming in to kiss him goodnight - his whole body is warped as he is lying in bed, with his right arm visibly stretched into the background unrealistically. That happens to random shots throughout, then it switches right back to great 3D again in the next shot. The last shot of the Northern Lights after they sing is another example - the lights actually warp from the background all the way to the conductor's hat, as if the lights are touching him instead of being in the background. In that same shot, as he first approaches from the cabin, his bottom half is visibly stretched and distorted. The last shot of the film that pans and zooms to the bell is also warped. There are lots of these shots sprinkled throughout the film. These shots hurt what is otherwise a fantastic 3D experience. In fact, it's some of the most visible distortion I've seen in a 3D film.

I love the film, and the 3D is outstanding other than these converted shots. I have no idea what went wrong with these shots. Why were so many shots not rendered in true 3D? Or were there errors during rendering? It looks to me like bad early conversions where things are stretched and warped to add depth.

I can't be the only one to notice this, but I never see anybody mention this. My girlfriend didn't notice it until I showed her some of the shots afterwards. I think they stand out like a sore thumb.

[ryanmcv]

Originally Posted by mar3o

I watched this the other night again and I'm convinced there's a good amount of shots that were converted, and rather poorly, as opposed to being rendered in true 3D.

Overall the film is full of strong 3D moments, and it's clear it's been rendered in true 3D. But there are many, many shots that stand out as being an early conversion, as the scenes are visibly warped and distorted quite badly. An example is an early shot of the parents coming in to kiss him goodnight - his whole body is warped as he is lying in bed, with his right arm visibly stretched into the background unrealistically. That happens to random shots throughout, then it switches right back to great 3D again in the next shot. The last shot of the Northern Lights after they sing is another example - the lights actually warp from the background all the way to the conductor's hat, as if the lights are touching him instead of being in the background. In that same shot, as he first approaches from the cabin, his bottom half is visibly stretched and distorted. The last shot of the film that pans and zooms to the bell is also warped. There are lots of these shots sprinkled throughout the film. These shots hurt what is otherwise a fantastic 3D experience. In fact, it's some of the most visible distortion I've seen in a 3D film.

I love the film, and the 3D is outstanding other than these converted shots. I have no idea what went wrong with these shots. Why were so many shots not rendered in true 3D? Or were there errors during rendering? It looks to me like bad early conversions where things are stretched and warped to add depth.

I can't be the only one to notice this, but I never see anybody mention this. My girlfriend didn't notice it until I showed her some of the shots afterwards. I think they stand out like a sore thumb.

I watched this over the weekend as well and I agree with most of what you said. There are several shots that simply appear to be out of focus in 3D (or, more accurately, objects are incorrectly placed within the 3D space). But most of the film plays brilliantly in 3D, especially scenes with falling snow and when the nose of the train appears to jut out from the screen.

My only other issue with the movie is the poor rendering of skin textures and facial expressions. One critic on Rotten Tomatoes summed it up perfectly: "Watching the dead-eyed population of Polar Express and their supposedly 'natural' movements made me think more of Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" than anything associated with Christmas." - John Anderson, Newsday.

Otherwise, I love the story, music, and most of the scenery.

[mar3o]

I don'd mind the image rendering because I can accept it for what it is. Some of the characters look fantastic, others more stiff, especially extras. But that happens in lots of these cgi animated films, like Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within. It's the bad warping/conversion shots that really stand out for me. I wish I knew what the reason was that some shots were handled like that.

[ryanmcv]

Originally Posted by Law212

IS polar express really 3D or just uses the red and blue glasses? I saw one a while ago in store and it looked just like above but had the glasses in the case.

The initial release of Polar Express on Blu-ray in 2008 included anaglyph (red/blue) glasses. This was before the introduction of Blu-ray 3D which we've all come to know and love. It was re-released in 2010 on true Blu-ray 3D.

Anaglyph (red/blue glasses) version:


True Blu-ray 3D:

[pacman85]

Annoying that the general population doesn't seem to know the difference between the two 3D versions of this movie. To further build my 3D Blu-ray collection I specifically bought this movie on eBay that had a picture of the true 3D version and NOT the "Presented in 3D" version. But the eBay user sent me the "Presented in 3D" version and when I tried to explain via eBay message that they sent me the wrong thing and that there are 2 very different version with the only common thing being 3D mentioned on the cover they got all hostile in their message back saying I was complaining.
/rant

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by pacman85

Annoying that the general population doesn't seem to know the difference between the two 3D versions of this movie. To further build my 3D Blu-ray collection I specifically bought this movie on eBay that had a picture of the true 3D version and NOT the "Presented in 3D" version. But the eBay user sent me the "Presented in 3D" version and when I tried to explain via eBay message that they sent me the wrong thing and that there are 2 very different version with the only common thing being 3D mentioned on the cover they got all hostile in their message back saying I was complaining.
/rant

If he doesn't refund your money then you should get Ebay involved. The bottom line is he advertised an item he was not selling.

[TheBoss062]

The Polar Express 3D disc has lossless audio, but does it come with a 2D version and if it does have it, is it also lossless?

[disco1979]

Watched A Christmas Carol 3D on Christmas Eve and this film (in 3D) on Christmas Day and... absolutely gorgeous.

[jazzontherocks]

This film and A Christmas Carol definitely look stunning in 3D. They get even better with every viewing =)

[2112rushfan]

We watch The Polar Express every year, usually on Christmas Eve. While some may dislike the style of animation I love it.
Tremendous depth coupled with astonishing pop outs and a beautiful, heartfelt story.
No issues with the 3D on either our LG OLED or our older Panny Plasma