As someone who has spent countless winter evenings huddled around the television, enchanted by the magic of films brought to life from the pages of Chris Van Allsburg’s captivating books, I can confidently say that these two cinematic masterpieces, Jumanji and The Polar Express, hold a special place in my heart.
As a movie enthusiast, I find myself captivated every holiday season when families gather to watch “The Polar Express.” However, what many may not know is that this heartwarming tale shares an intriguing link with the thrilling realm of “Jumanji”. This connection stems from the fact that both movies are based on books penned by Chris Van Allsburg.
Jumanji and The Polar Express Came From the Same Author
Chris Van Allsburg significantly transformed children’s literature by employing a distinctive narrative style that won him two Caldecott Medals, for “Jumanji” (1981) and “The Polar Express” (1985). His books seamlessly blend intricate artwork with a genuine portrayal of fantastical elements, avoiding the mistake of undervaluing young readers – a pitfall many children’s authors often fall into. It’s not surprising that Hollywood took notice of Van Allsburg’s work and eventually adapted “Jumanji”, “The Polar Express”, and his science fiction tale, “Zathura”.
In 1995, Joe Johnston’s film adaptation of Jumanji, featuring Robin Williams, turned a 30-page picture book by Van Allsburg into a blockbuster sensation at the box office. By broadening the initial storyline while preserving its essential elements such as lessons about consequences and faith, the movie became an enduring hit that continues to be cherished as one of the greatest films from its era.
As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the enduring allure of Jumanji, and one reason for its success lies in its stunning visuals, which still hold up well by today’s standards. The creative minds behind Jumanji were pioneers, developing two revolutionary Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) programs. One of these programs focused on creating lifelike digital faces for the animals, while the other was dedicated to generating realistic animated hair. These advancements, coupled with cutting-edge animatronics, made Jumanji an unparalleled visual spectacle unlike anything ever seen in a theater.
Though Williams didn’t reappear in any subsequent Jumanji films, Van Allsburg’s tale continues to thrive in fresh adaptations, graced by actors like Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This transformation was made possible due to the original Jumanji’s groundbreaking use of special effects and its faithful portrayal of the essence found within Van Allsburg’s book. Without this initial effort, the franchise may not have garnered such a dedicated fanbase.
It’s not surprising that, like many others, The Polar Express took a similar route, with Robert Zemeckis at the helm, directing a classic Christmas movie featuring Tom Hanks. However, what set it apart was a special request from Chris Van Allsburg – this animated film became groundbreaking in Hollywood.
The Polar Express Only Became a Movie Thanks to Tom Hanks
The story of “The Polar Express” transitioning from a beloved children’s book to a groundbreaking film was heavily influenced by one key factor: Tom Hanks. At first, the author, Van Allsburg, was hesitant to sell the film rights for his cherished Christmas tale. However, when he learned about Hanks’ interest in the project, he reconsidered. Hanks had admired the story since its initial publication and wanted to produce the movie through his company in 1999. Yet, it took some time before “The Polar Express” moved into production due to Van Allsburg’s specifications regarding the film’s production.
Tom Allsburg agreed to transfer the film rights for the movie to Hanks, but there was one stipulation: He wasn’t keen on his book being turned into an animated feature. This immediately imposed certain creative constraints on the development of The Polar Express, as it would be quite difficult to replicate the enchanting events from the book in live-action. However, a solution emerged with the use of motion-capture technology, which presented a compromise that appealed to both parties.
Van Allsburg viewed motion-capture (mocap) technology as a departure from conventional animation, as it enabled actors to be integrated into the scene in some form. Simultaneously, the digital models derived from mocap provided the animation team with the freedom to explore their creative boundaries when crafting the narrative. Furthermore, this choice enabled Tom Hanks to embody various characters, such as the conductor and Santa Claus himself.
In a limited space of just 10×10 feet, the filming was restricted to this small area. Actors donned suits adorned with 152 facial markers, which were tracked by an array of 72 cameras. Due to the constraints of early motion-capture tech, actors needed to deliver over-the-top performances for the sensors to function correctly. This approach, though criticized for creating characters that seemed unsettlingly human-like (a phenomenon known as the uncanny valley), served as a catalyst for developers to advance the technology further.
Following its release, “The Polar Express” became groundbreaking as it was the first film ever made using motion-capture animation. This milestone significantly impacted the field of cinematic technology. The movie’s success opened doors for other motion-capture productions like “Avatar,” “Monster House,” and “A Christmas Carol.” Moreover, this technology became a staple in Hollywood’s most popular franchises such as Marvel and DC. It’s amusing to reflect on the fact that this technological revolution started with a humble request from the original author of “The Polar Express.
Right now, you can stream “The Polar Express” on MAX. Exclusively reported by ComicBook, a follow-up to the story is being actively developed.
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2024-12-01 19:09