WAC Chugging In To The Christmas Spirit

“It was wrapped in an apron of steam. Snowflakes fell lightly around it. A conductor stood at the open door of one of the cars. He took a large pocket watch from his vest, then looked up at my window. I put on my slippers and robe. I tiptoed downstairs and out the door.

“’All aboard,” the conductor cried out.’ I ran up to him.

“’Well,’” he said, “’are you coming?’

“’Where?’ I asked.

“’Why, to the North Pole of course,’ was his answer. ‘This is the Polar Express.’”

— “The Polar Express,”

Chris Van Allsburg

In the film of the same name that animated Allsburg’s enchanting holiday tale, it’s the comforting voice of “America’s Dad,” Tom Hanks, that introduces the viewers and our protagonist to the impressive steam engine glistening in the snow.

Robert Zemeckis’ 2004 adaptation was met with equal parts wonder and unease at the hyper-realism of the animation style known as motion-capture. The seemingly old-hat technique that has come to define Andy Serkis’ career (Gollum/Smeagol in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy; Caesar in the “Planet of the Apes” reboot, among others) and brought us stunning feats like “Avatar” had never been used for more than a single character or two, up to the film’s release. “The Polar Express” was the first movie to be made entirely using the motion-capture technology.

The technique records an actor’s movements, and even the most subtle facial expressions, through the use of markers placed all over the body and face and monitored by computer. The extensive use of motion capture allowed Hanks to perform five roles in the film — including the young protagonist (though, he didn’t provide the voice for the “Hero Boy,” of course). See if you can spot each of the four other characters Hanks portrays on the magical journey.

This year’s showing is the fifth annual for the Walton Arts Center and a favorite holiday tradition for the whole family. Before or after the show, visitors can drop by Community Creative Center’s Holiday Gift Market in Walker Atrium, open through Dec. 23.

Out of an abundance of caution, the hot chocolate bar that has been part of the event in years past will not be open, but families can instead grab a festive drink for kids or adults at Holidaze, a pop-up bar at Walton Arts Center. Proceeds from the pop-up support four local causes, as well as WAC’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund, which makes programming like this possible.