The Polar Express DVD Special Features

“The Polar Express” DVD Special Features

This blockbuster animated movie told the story of a young boy (Tom Hanks) who travels to the North Pole via a magical train. What special features are included in this 2-disc DVD set?

Disc 1

The first disc contains the 99 minute movie.

Disc 2

The second disc is loaded with additional features including:

You Look Familiar

This segment includes interviews with Tom Hanks, Steve Starkey (Producer) and Robert Zemeckis (Director, Writer & Producer). The trio talk about the technology of performance capture that was used to film the movie and offered a behind the scenes look at the characters that Tom Hanks portrayed including Hero Boy, the Father, the Conductor, the Hobo and Santa Claus.

A Genuine Ticket to Ride

This feature included several segments about the making of the film that were introduced by the children on the train.

Performance Capture

Tom Hanks, Steve Starkey and Robert Zemeckis discuss how the real life actors and the digital world mesh.

Virtual Camera

This was Phase 2 of filming. This segment talked about how camera shots were input into the computer and how the characters are integrated into the virtual world.

Hair and Wardrobe

This phase of filming showed how the actors were photographed in full wardrobe. Afterwards, the film would be cyber scanned and the resulting digital animation. The segment also discussed how a character’s hair was digitally animated.

Creating the North Pole

Chris Van Allsburg (author and executive producer) talked about his vision of the North Pole as an industrialized city.

Music

Glenn Ballard and Alan Silvestri (who wrote the movie’s score) discuss the music featured in the movie including the “Hot Chocolate” number performed by Tom Hanks and “Rockin’ on Top of the World” by Steven Tyler. Josh Groban discussed his recording of the movie’s hit song “Believe”.

True Inspirations: An Author’s Adventure

Chris Van Allsburg, the author of the portrait book “The Polar Express”, gave a brief discussion about his life from childhood to college and how his work has changed over time from sculpting to drawing.

Josh Groban at the Greek

This segment is a live performance with movie footage interspersed of Josh Groban singing “Believe” at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Behind the Scenes of “Believe”

Glen Ballard discussed how the song “Believe” developed in this segment which also included an interview with Josh Groban. A behind the scenes look at Groban in the recording studio was also featured.

Polar Express Challenge

Can you steer the train across the ice? You can try with this game by using your remote control!

Meet the Snow Angels

Chris Van Allsburg, Nona Gaye (who portrayed Hero Girl), Josh Groban, Tom Hanks, Steve Starkey and Robert Zemeckis discuss their favorite Christmas memories.

THQ Game Demo

This feature gives you a brief look inside “The Polar Express Video Game”.

Additional Song

Jack Rapke (executive producer) introduces a video segment / song in memory of Michael Jeter (1952-2003). The scene, which did not make it to the film’s final cut, features Smokey and Steamer (both by Michael Jeter) singing “It Takes Two”.

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