Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on childrens author Chris Van Allsburgs modern holiday classic of the same name, The Polar Express revolves around Billy (Hayden McFarland), who longs to believe in Santa Claus but finds it quite difficult to do so, what with his familys dogged insistence that all of it, from the North Pole, to the elves, to the man himself, is all just a myth. This all changes, however, on Christmas Eve, when a mysterious train visits Billy in the middle of the night, promising to take him and a group of other lucky children to the North Pole for a visit with Santa. The trains conductor (Tom Hanks) along with the other passengers help turn Billys crisis in faith into a journey of self-discovery. A long-time fan of Van Allsburgs book, Hanks also helped produce the film. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide