I've gotten my new Christmas movie for the year. After renting The Polar Express (a really bad copy of the DVD with skips and stops) from the rental store, I decided to get my own copy of this gem. Based on the Chris Van Allsburg children's book, Tom Hanks headlines this animated Christmas classic.

The movie takes some liberties adding characters that are not in the book and providing the necessary conflict to give the story feature-length stamina, but stays rather true to the basic story. A boy has been informed by school friends that Santa Claus does not exist, and this Christmas he lies awake hoping against hope that his heart is right and his friends are wrong.

We're taken on a magical train ride to the North Pole to learn that not only does Santa exist, but he makes Christmas and the sounds of Christmas come to life as well. Sadly, not everyone is able to hear the sounds of Christmas--usually losing the ability to hear the Sleigh bells of Santa Claus as age replaces belief in the magic of the season.

This is a great movie to watch with the kids or grands. The artwork (not quite the calliber of the originals in the Caldicott winner) is beautiful if not nostalgic in its presentation. The additions (including a Christmas ghost--where will Dickens' influence stop?) enhance rather than destroy the story. And Hanks' voice can be heard behind several of the characters. Watch the movie with a big steaming cup bowl of hot cocoa and a loved one. And listen for the bells.