The Polar Express [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 10, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B00063F8B2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,890 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #15 in	Music > Soundtracks > Anime & Video Game Soundtracks
  #21 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > General Christmas
  #87 in	Music > Soundtracks > Movie Scores

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In adapting Chris Van Allsburg's beloved, 1986 Caldecott Medal winning children's Christmas fable, director Robert Zemeckis fused the technologies of live-action motion capture and CGI to an unprecedented degree, producing a visual sensibility that perfectly embodies the netherworld between fantasy and reality that made the book so inviting. Musically, Zemeckis has shrewdly teamed longtime collaborator Alan Silvestri with hit tunesmith Glen Ballard for the original half his soundtrack, then given the rest over to a star-packed tribute to pop Christmas past that includes such timeless chestnuts as Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" by the Andrew Sisters and Perry Como's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." But the Silvestri/Ballard originals here are the main event, from Tom Hanks' vigorous vocal mugging on the title track and "Hot Chocolate" through the innocent charm of "When Christmas Comes to Town" and the over-the-top, jumpin' jive of Steven Tyler's "Rockin' On Top of the World." Josh Groban's "Believe" overdoes the treacle, but Silvestri's rich choral workouts and underscore suite are grand Hollywood-scaled tributes to the spirit of the season. Also available in a deluxe, illustrated children's book format gift edition that includes an actual encased jingle bell embedded in the cover. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Promising to be this holiday season's family film blockbuster, the revolutionary computer-animated The Polar Express-based on a best-selling children's book, starring the voice of Tom Hanks and directed by Academy Award winner Robert Zemeckis-is a classic Christmas film with a modern look. The soundtrack album also mixes the classic with the contemporary, with immortal versions of the greatest Christmas songs ever penned, such as "White Christmas" from Bing Crosby and new recordings from Josh Groban "Believe", Aerosmith's Steven Tyler "Rockin' On Top Of The World" and others. This Christmas everyone will be getting on board The Polar Express.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this soundtrack, November 3, 2004

By	Robert G Yokoyama (Mililani, Hawaii) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Polar Express is a soundtrack that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit. Everyone in the family will enjoy something on this CD. I loved listening to the old Christmas songs on these album like Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Santa Claus is coming to town by Frank Sinatra. The song Silver Bells is also on this soundtrack. I think that Silver Bells is one of the best Christmas songs ever written. There is a terrfic new song entitled Believe by Josh Groban on here. This is a very uplifting song. Josh Groban's voice is so smooth and soothing. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler is even on this CD. His song Rockin on the Top of the World is a bit loud and fast paced, but I liked it anyway. This song will get you moving though.

Actor Tom Hanks is accompanied by some talented children on the track Polar Express. This is a very fun song that kids will love. I think kids would also enjoy the song When Christmas Comes To Town. This is a cute song performed by 2 kids with angelic voices. I enjoyed this song very much. Alan Silvestri contributes on this soundtrack by composing several beautiful instrumental pieces. I especially liked the last track Suite from the Polar Express I also enjoyed the track Spirit of the Season also credited to Alan Silvestri which is performed by an awesome choir of singers.

The Polar Express soundtrack is the best Christmas album I've heard in a long time. It has a good mix of old and new songs. I recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys listening to Christmas music.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Silvestri & Groban shine ~ Holidays through a childs eyes", November 10, 2004

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Warner Bros. presents "Polar Express", just in time for the yuletide season...with new songs and Holiday classics ~ soundtrack music composed by Alan Silvestri with lyrics by Glen Ballard...featuring Josh Groban, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Matthew Hall, Meagan Moore and Tom Hanks performing clear and precise innovative tunes that will appeal to the child in all of us ~ what Holiday album would be complete without Bing Crosby, Perry Como, The Andrew Sisters, Kate Smith and Frank Sinatra...we keep them in our hearts, always!

Many of the stand outs are "SPIRITS OF THE SEASON", "SEEING IS BELIEVING" and "SUITE FROM THE POLAR EXPRESS", all three cues are similar to "Home Alone" the John Williams score, but enjoyable just the same...Silvestri has captured the essence of Christmas time and the innocence of children within the story line of the film.

The highlight is "BELIEVE", performed by Josh Groban of Reprise Records and orchestrated by William Ross...composers Silvestri and Ballard should feel themselves very fortunate to have this young talent put his signature on this one...when the Holidays finally arrive we will have heard this many times and love every moment of it!

Total Time: 46:12 on 14 Tracks ~ Warner Bros 48897 ~ (11/02/2004)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A bright shining star in the Christmas music universe!", December 22, 2004

By	Blake Wood "Big Daddy" (Marion, AR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am one of those people who particularly like Christmas music, especially traditional Christmas songs. Every year around this time, I end up buying 2-3 Christmas music CDs. The ones I like I keep, and the ones that I don't like I end up selling on eBay! This is most definitely a CD worth keeping! Most of the songs on this are excellent, particularly Josh Groban's "Believe", the "Suite from the Polar Express" (the film's musical score by Alan Silvestri is just awe-inspiring and gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it!) and the older tunes (Sinatra, Bing, The Andrews Sisters, Perry Como, etc.) selected for this soundtrack strike all the right chords. The combination of the classic and the new really work well together. Overall, this is just an outstanding Christmas compilation with a lot of joyful appeal. This will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit, whether you are young or just young-at-heart!