The Polar Express

Reviewed by FRANCESCA RUDKIN

(Herald rating * * *)

In case you hadn't noticed, Christmas is coming. If you're looking for a spiritual reminder about what it's all about then The Polar Express probably won't fill that gap but it will entertain the kids and have you ooohing and aahing at the computer-generated images.

Tom Hanks has teamed up with his Forrest Gump and Cast Away director Robert Zemeckis to bring to life this sweet story of a young boy who doubts Santa exists.

Based on Chris Van Allsburg's children's book of the same name, The Polar Express boasts ground-breaking, never-seen-before images thanks to Production Capture, a process that digitally records real actors performing their part and then uses their movements and expressions to create lifelike computer-generated characters.

The boasting is justified. The characters are obviously not real but the detail in their movements and the expressions on their faces are remarkable. Zemeckis and his team have also created a wonderful dreamlike world that reflects the original oil paintings. It is a world where magic lives and time is suspended, and where it snows and feels slightly dark and dangerous at times.

But you get the feeling that the film-makers were so enamoured with this new process that they spent more time trying to find ways of showing off just how fabulous it is rather than focusing on the story - but maybe that's because the story is simple. Hanks plays our young hero, a nameless boy who is woken on Christmas Eve by a steam train called The Polar Express, which arrives out of nowhere at his front door, destination the North Pole. When he boards the train he discovers it is filled with children who have the same disillusionment about Christmas. They all need to see to believe.

The trip to the North Pole is an adventurous one, with the train sliding off the tracks over an iced lake and plunging out of control down step glacier crevasses. Dancing waiters pour them hot chocolate and the children are looked after by the all-knowing Conductor, played by Tom Hanks, who has greedily taken five key roles.

At the North Pole the children continue their adventure, meeting Santa Claus (yes, played by Hanks) and his team of elves. It is not until they begin their return home that you really engage with the film on an emotional level, understanding that this journey means more to each child than just being reassured Santa will deliver presents.

Regardless of whether you received your fill of Christmas spirit and cheer, be thankful that there is an alternative to Hollywood Christmas comedies this year. Amazingly, there was hardly a peep out of the children in the audience. Either they had all gone to sleep or Hanks and Zemeckis sure know how to keep a kid quiet.

CAST: Tom Hanks, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari

DIRECTOR: Robert Zemeckis

RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes

RATING: G

SCREENING: Village, Hoyts and Berkeley