Did you ever write letters to Santa? Ever wonder what the North Pole was like? Did you lose that sense of wonder? Maybe you need a dose of Holiday cheer. Here comes The Polar Express.

First, an explanation of what you'll be watching. Popular Actor Tom Hanks, joined by Nona Gaye, Eddie Deezen, Peter Scolari, the late Michael Jeter, etc. act out their parts against a green or blue screen without props and sets. On their faces are placed up to 150 "jewels" that serve as reference points for the computer wizards who then transform the actors into three-dimensional computer-generated figures each incorporating the actual body motions and facial expressions of the live actors playing them. Tom is then able to play Hero Boy, Boy's Father, The Conductor, The Hobo and even Santa! Nona plays Hero Girl, Peter is Lonely Boy, etc.

Hero Boy, is getting older and is on the edge of not believing in Santa. He knows there's no life at the North Pole and that department store Santas are just guys. Then, on Christmas Eve, a rumbling noise turns out to be a magical old-fashioned train which pulls up in front of his house and The Conductor asks him to board for the North Pole. On the train are a lot of other kids in their nightclothes. Confident and kind Hero Girl and Know-It-All-Boy are joined by Lonely Boy who is from the poor side of town.