"The Polar Express" will shine its light for decades to come.

With animation that's breathtaking at times, the movie truly is for all ages and for all audiences, especially those who haven't seen a movie for ages.

Although what you're seeing isn't real, the actors behind the animation do exist. To create the animation, the performers wore dozens of little "buttons" that were translated into computerized images -- complete with movements and the emotions on their faces -- for an almost-but-not-quite-real look that's just dazzling when it's set against the computer-generated backgrounds.

Tom Hanks provides the movements for the Hero Boy, living in what looks to be a 1950s-era middle-class home. The boy isn't sure about this Santa Claus thing. It's Christmas Eve, but he is beginning to doubt the existence of Santa, and longs to stay up late enough to hear the sleigh bells
approaching.

He closes his eyes and tries to sleep, but is awakened by a chugging sound and a bright light. When he walks outdoors he discovers that a train called the Polar Express is sitting outside his house. A conductor (also Tom Hanks) asks him whether he's getting on board, telling the boy that he has a
schedule to keep -- after all, it's Christmas Eve, and they have to get to the North Pole to see Santa before he takes off on his annual journey.

The Hero Boy does indeed board the train, and discovers there are many other children aboard as well, all dressed in their nightgowns and pajamas. On the "wrong side of the tracks," a Lonely Boy walks toward the train, which pulls away from him, then decides to try to ride at the last minute. The Hero Boy and a Hero Girl (Nona Gaye), a leader among the children, help out the Lonely Boy, who says that Christmas never has meant much to him. "I guess that Santa's busy, 'cause he's never come around," the boy sings in the instant holiday classic "When Christmas Comes to Town."

Yes, there are songs, and dance numbers. My favorite sequence is "Hot Chocolate," performed by Hanks the conductor and gravity-defying dancing waiters. Roller-coaster-esque thrills on the out-of-control train will delight everyone.

The soundtrack is sure to be a best-seller, because it carries the tender spirit and message of the movie. That is, all except for one selection: Steve Tyler's "Rockin' on Top of the World," a great tune, to be sure, but woefully incongruous with the likes of Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and
Josh Groban's "Believe." For a moment, during the movie, an elfin Tyler and this number detract from the old-timey feel of the rest of the show. But the picture reverts back to its gentle, nostalgic atmosphere right away, right through the finale that's so true to the book.

You'll might hear sleigh bells on your way home.

Running time: Ninety five minutes.

Rated: G, suitable for all audiences.

Stars: Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Eddie Deezen, Nona M. Gaye, Peter Scolari and Charles Fleischer.

Screenwriter: Robert Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr., based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg.