Cast: Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Leslie Zemeckism, Peter Scolari, Eddie Deezen (Voice characters)

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

As Christmas approaches, stories of Santa Claus abound, and the Polar Express is the best example for unbelievers.

Though a little creepy and eerie for the little ones, The Polar Express will surely put you in the yuletide mood taking you to a world of its own. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the movie is a visual treat, backed by amazing sound effects, juxtaposed live action with animation, merging both using a process called "performance capture," in which human actors perform the movements which are translated into lifelike animation. The characters don't look real, but they don't look unreal either, they have a reality base that makes them look human. Tom Hanks plays a major part with the voice of most characters.

A young boy lies awake in bed wondering what the whole Santa Claus story is all about He is awaiting the sound of sleigh bells, when all of a sudden on Christmas Eve, he hears a passenger train lumbering into view. The boy rushes out just as the train halts. The conductor ushers him to board the Polar Express, a train that shuttles kids who are confused on the existence of Santa Claus to the North Pole. The boy is confused. He eventually boards the train and is transported to a wonderland he has never seen before, where it is said, ‘Seeing is believing’. Along the way, he learns many lessons about friendship, the spirit of Christmas, and the importance of believing. Other children of his age with similar feelings of disbelief are also on the train.

The action is thrilling, from the Polar Express careening down a "179-degree grade", racing through tunnels, kids skiing on the top of the train, Santa Claus and his elves, to the fluttering ticket and the beautiful Hot Chocolate song and dance in the train, its a haunting, magical movie you’ve never seen before.

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira