During this time of holiday fun in the winter’s sun, staying inside is always the better option as temperatures drop and snow inches rise. So what is there to do inside during this time? Huddle for warmth like penguins? Well, many choose to sit down and get engulfed in the warmth of a good holiday film to keep their senses entertained. New and old, known and obscure,  any movie someone may enjoy. One I know I will be turning on this holiday season is The Polar Express.

The Polar Express, directed by Robert Zemeckis, may not have the best rating online, with only a 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, but is a sure animated classic in many people’s eyes. Based on the children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who also wrote the original books for the movies Zathura and Jumanji, The Polar Express follows the tale of a boy who’s lost his faith in Santa Claus, is picked up by a magical train in the dead of night on Christmas Eve, and finds himself with many other children who have lost their belief in the Man in Red. The train, “The Polar Express” then embarks on a journey to the North Pole to teach the children inside the truth of Santa Claus.

Most of the characters are voiced by Tom Hanks, with nearly half the cast of the film being voiced by him. The movie may have its moments just there to fill time, at least those moments are accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack, featuring songs with fantastic lyrics and melody, to songs that are just straight fun, like “Hot Chocolate”, a sure guilty pleasure for many to sing along too.

Then ending of the movie does have its message, and a good one at that. It surely does make people who have lost their belief in the jolly man in red, rethink their decision, against all logic, even just for one second. The fact that only one of the many children children is named in the movie also helps add to the idea of putting yourself in these people’s shoes, and believing in the unbelievable.

So while it may not be one of the best rated films with critics, The Polar Express is truly considered a cult classic in many people’s eyes along with a multitude of Christmas films. This may be my favorite Christmas movie, but my idea of entertainment does not apply to everyone else, so watch your favorite movie, read your favorite book, listen to your favorite song, whether it’s Christmas themed or not, do whatever you can to keep yourself entertained while the weather outside grows increasingly frightful, and if you can, maybe, just maybe, give The Polar Express a watch, inside where it is so delightful.