The Polar Express Rolls In

New Tom Hanks animation is here.

Even before The Polar Express's release, it was already being mentioned as one of the favourites to win the Oscar for the best animated movie. The film recreates Chris Van Allsburg's classic tale, exploring one young boy's discovery of the true magic of Christmas. Van Allsburg is no stranger to the big screen, one of his previous works, Jumanji, has already had a movie adaptation. While the writer was not entirely happy with how Jumanji turned out, he is ecstatic at how the filmmakers have brought the Polar Express to life. Technology has developed to such a stage where the techniques used have made Van Allsburg's dreams a reality.

The movie is quite unique; it's not live action, but it isn't computer animation as such either. Instead the film is a hybrid of both, showcasing the latest innovations on offer in Hollywood. The entire movie has been shot through a technique called 'performance capture', which recreates the cast's motions and displays them on screen. The best comparison is when video game developers use similar technology to bring their characters to life. If you have been following the making of the Polar Express, then you would have noticed the actors kitted out in what seemed like skin-tight bodysuits with light bulbs. Obviously the suits are far more hi-tech than this simplistic observation purports, but the technology allows the filmmakers to digitally map the actors. Hence every action and reaction is representative of the cast's actual physical movements.

From an acting perspective, the new technology has opened up a whole world of possibilities. As it develops in the future, we could see Hollywood stars try their hand at some rather unusual roles as physical limitations won't stop them from becoming any character in history. While some may have criticised the techniques used in the movie, others feel that it will allow actors to hone their craft and put their abilities to the test. If anything, a world as wonderful as that of the Polar express is now within reach, and its limitations end at our imagination.

The undoubted star of the Polar Express is none other than Tom Hanks, an actor whose name is synonymous with success. The Hollywood star has plied his craft with more serious roles of late, but he was attracted by the magic of this project. In fact Hanks plays not only one, but five roles in total! The actor fell in love with Van Allsburg's tale and has been reading it to his children for years now. He was so impressed that he even went out and bought the film rights for the project, but it has only come to pass that they were in a position to bring the project to the big screen.

The project is also special for another reason as it sees Hanks and director, Robert Zemeckis, reunite to create another magical movie. Film buffs will recall that one of their previous joint ventures was none other than Forrest Gump. All parties involved were so drawn to the project that extra special effort was put into retelling the tale. Van Allsburg points out that if they had simply adapted his creation page-by page, the movie wouldn't have lasted longer than around a quarter of an hour. Instead something special has been brought to life, and it's there for all the family to enjoy. Click here for our full review of The Polar Express.

Piaras Kelly
Editor, Kikizo Movies