MovieChat Forums > The Polar Express (2004) Discussion > Weird atmosphere throughout!

Weird atmosphere throughout!

posted 7 years ago by ScaryMary123
20 replies | jump to latest

I've seen The Polar Express many times and am always struck by the very weird, almost other-worldly--atmosphere. Everything seems so somber, from the way the kids look, to their interactions, and even the lighting of the big tree and Santa taking off in his sleigh. Just something "off," and I can't quite put my finger on it...but I like it.

The ending always gets me right there. So sad that all his friends and family could no longer hear the bell. I'm happy to say I still do!

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 7 years ago

What I love most is its late winter's night setting. There's something about the film's touches of cold & near harshness which perfectly balances its childlike existence. The grand steam train, unapologetic with its entrance, & Hanks' hobo character who while he acts like a safety net for the boy, all the while seems to be around to show the Polar Express really isn't some safety net of a choochoo train.

...my essential 50 http://www.imdb.com/list/ls056413299/

[–] poet515 7 years ago

Perfectly stated. Growing up, my parents and I wouldn't get home from our big Christmas Eve party until real late at night or wee early morning. I distinctly remember how silent, cold, and yet cozy feeling I'd get getting home when the rest of the world seemed to be sleeping. This movie captures those same feelings for me.

[–] ErgonomicSpliff 7 years ago

It's the era of CG in which the film was made. The so-called "uncanny valley," where the details of the animation is too close to photo realism that it feels really odd, is on full display throughout. The animators were also utterly incapable of capturing any sort of true emotional range in the characters' faces, for whatever reason, even though they could render individual strands of hair flawlessly. My three year old son watched the film for the first time today and even he picked up on the fact that Santa didn't look jolly.

[–] geoffakins 7 years ago

The look is based on the book which also has that same dreamlike quality.

[–] ErgonomicSpliff 7 years ago

The "dreamlike quality" isn't really an explanation for the lifeless, creepy, near angry expressions on every character throughout the picture, though. My three year old just watched the movie for the first time this past weekend and even he noticed that people looked mad.

"Why is Santa mad?" He asked.

That was a tough one to try to explain. Zemeckis' "ImageMovers" mocap techniques were well behind the industy curve, when it came to reproducing life-like digital characters. Every time that any character in TPE even attempted to manage a smile they looked as if they were in pain, doing so. It's a big reason why Disney pulled their funding of the animation studio back in 2010. They just couldn't keep up with Pixar, ILM or WETA.

[–] ScaryMary123 7 years ago

"Why is Santa mad?" He asked.

Can't wait to hear how you explain Santa in Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

[–] J-Street1 7 years ago

I think it captured the atmosphere of Christmastime, perfectly. That old-town, winter snow look at night.

Even though it's computer animation, the details are spot on.

🏈

[–] missrhea 7 years ago

I had never seen this movie before this evening and I found it very strange and quite cacophonous. I doubt I will ever watch it again. It looks nothing like Tim Burton's work but reminds me very much of it. They both give me an uneasy feeling.

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 7 years ago

Santa's workshop reminds me of Wonka's chocolate factory, & I don't just mean Burton's version - I mean all 3, the book & 2 films. The kids don't belong, shouldn't be there, & while it plays a bit like an amusement park, it's really not & they're in near peril throughout.

...my essential 50 http://www.imdb.com/list/ls056413299/

[–] emmeyc-1 7 years ago

I agree. It's not cheerful or hopeful.

IMHO this is a great movie to get one out of the Christmas mood

[–] ejl-41750 7 years ago

That's why I like it. It was one of the few family Christmas films/specials that wasn't afraid to take a few risks. I find it a shame that most people don't at least respect the movie for it. And I especially find it awesome that the makers of this film took it a little further when they made A Christmas Carol.

[–] Chaosbender 7 years ago

I find this movie disturbing... not the CGI, but the cruelty (emotional)... the lost ticket and the struggle, the controlling, I often wanted to punch the conductor -.-

[–] JR541 7 years ago

I don't dislike the movie but for me the CGI is the biggest problem I have with it. For example a skinny Santa Claus that never smiles is just little spooky. I do however believe that any struggle in the movie was guided by some Christmas magic. Like it was supposed to happen to build a friendship. The lost ticket that doesn't seem to have the capability of staying lost at all, the train on the ice, the three children chasing down their gifts in the factory all seemed like they were supposed to happen and like there was no chance that they'd get hurt. Something was protecting them.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I agree with your post, JR541