The Bell Still Rings For Me: The Polar Express

     Even though Christmas is supposed to be about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Santa Clause can be the first person someone thinks of when they hear Christmas. But then there comes the question of whether or not you believe in Santa. In 1985, there came a simple but wonderful children's book that tells the story of a little boy who didn't know whether to believe. That book is called The Polar Express. The book is one thing, but today we're looking at Robert Zemeckis' 2004 film adaption of The Polar Express. 

      Once upon a time on one Christmas Eve, a young boy is in bed listening for the sound of Santa's sleigh. The boy seems torn. He wants to believe, but he keeps seeing things that bring doubt upon him. Suddenly, the sound of a train fills the room. Rushing outside, he finds that there is indeed a large train waiting just outside his house. He's greeted by a conductor. When asked if he's coming, the boy can't help but ask: "Where?"
        "Why to the North Pole, of course. This is the Polar Express!" the conductor replies. 
      Overcome by curiosity, he boards the train. There he meets other children, including a girl with much Spirit, a know-it-all, and a lonely boy named Billy. Together, they travel on an adventurous journey to the North Pole where it's said that Santa will give the "First Gift of Christmas" to one of them. Will his travels with the Polar Express and his new friends help the boy believe?

     Color's an interesting thing when we're looking at a Christmas/holiday film. Naturally you have your greens and reds, but in The Polar Express, we notice a lot of blue. In a sense, blue usually alludes to cold and possible sadness. In this film however, blue seems to be a beautiful color that brings out the cold and magic of the winter time. 

     One's journey on the Polar Express has more than one purpose. In our main characters, they each learn something from each other or simply their experience all together. Santa and the conductor seem to know what the children need better than anyone, which is why the young boy, Billy and all the other children were chosen to ride the Polar Express.  

     Though our main character has doubts about Santa, the theme of The Polar Express isn't just about believing in Santa. The theme is about believing in whatever you want to believe in, even if you have doubts. According to the conductor, "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." Each of us are inclined to agree with him, including me. 
      Santa's bells are magical, and can only be heard by those who believe in him. This is a pretty good concept in the film. It's harder to feel something if you don't believe in it. That's because you won't let yourself. When the boy's parents ring the bell the young boy received, they can't hear it. It's like the sound has been blocked off by their unbelief. But the boy and his sister Sarah can hear it, but whether or not they will still be able to hear it when they're grown up is up to them. "Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe." 

       Do you agree with this? Requests are welcome! Be sure to like, comment, share, and follow to always come back for more Enchanted Tales of Film!