The Polar Express

Starring Tom Hanks 

Rated G

**** (out of five)

Robert Zemeckis’ “The Polar Express” is a colorful, animated film version of Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book of the same name. Using new CGI-type effects to make its characters look more real, the film also has a joyful sense of Christmas cheer that children can connect to.

Tom Hanks stars in several lead roles, mainly as a boy named Billy who, on Christmas Eve, once again feels that Santa and the North Pole are a myth. But later that night, The Polar Express stops at his home. The Conductor (Hanks again) explains to Billy that this ‘Express’ takes children to the North Pole. Being a non-believer, Billy hesitates, but eventually hops on.

Once on the train, Billy meets many new friends, including a young girl who brings Christmas cheer back into Billy’s life, a homeless man who rides as a stowaway on the Express (more Hanks), and a young boy who has not had a happy Christmas in a long time. The excitements and thrills of this holiday journey wind up in a satisfactory conclusion with Billy and Santa (once again, Hanks) at the North Pole.

Although “The Polar Express” opens more than a month away from Christmas, it certainly will brighten the day of any child or adult who sees it; it’s a rare holiday treat that comes early.

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