Even then, the bell only working for certain people strays back into the fantastic, firmly giving weight to the fact that the train ride actually took place. However, the story wasn't a dream, as the main character tells Billy, and the bell at the end proves it.
In the movie, a doubting young boy didn't believe in the spirit of Christmas like everyone else. The Polar Express train saw this as a possibility to change the boy's life to show the true meaning behind this holiday with a train ride to the North Pole.
What was the point of the ghost on the Polar Express?
The hobo's identity is never revealed in the movie, leaving it open to interpretation as to who he is and what his true purpose is. Some fans have speculated that he is a representation of Santa Claus, while others think he may be a guardian angel sent to look after the children on their journey.
Why did the conductor take the girl on top of the train?
Later, the Conductor realizes he forgot to punch Hero Girl's ticket, but Hero Girl cannot find it, due to Hero Boy losing it while trying to give it back to her, so he takes her to the back to the train, onto the roof and to the cab of the locomotive.
Essentially, the Polar Express is Doctor Emmett Brown's most advanced invention to date, possibly even the peak of his technological artistry. However, despite being a time machine, the Polar Express uses some magic to function. For instance, it definitely uses magic to make tickets appear in children's pockets.
However, the story wasn't a dream, as the main character tells Billy, and the bell at the end proves it. Magic can explain how the train could make that incredible journey in less than a night and survive all those perils.
When he looks, it's to see that the clock has stopped at five 'til midnight. And when the train arrives at the North Pole, it's still five 'til midnight.
The two proceed to reveal through a shadow puppet performance that Hobo is, in fact, the ghost of a man who rode the roof of the train on Christmas Eve in 1933, but was killed due to the low clearance at Flat Top Tunnel: his ghost is still seen riding the train every year.
How much did Tom Hanks get paid for Polar Express?
You won't believe how much Hanks made for his Polar Express roles (he voiced seven characters, to be exact). According to the Los Angeles Times, the actor and producer made a $40 million salary plus 20% of the first-dollar gross, which adds up to an estimated $100 million total.
Hero Boy sits on Santa's lap in his sleigh and Santa asks him what he wants. Hero Boy whispers into his ear that he wants one of the bells from the sleigh. After which, Santa holds up the bell and declares it the first gift of Christmas before handing it to Hero Boy, who puts it in his pocket.
The Polar Express is controversial and “creepy” to some viewers thanks to its animation style, which created a phenomenon known as “Uncanny Valley.” While the filmmakers clearly opted for a more realistic art style, many of The Polar Express' characters look human but not human enough.
Some specific messages: "The true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart," "It doesn't matter where the train is going, it's deciding to get on that counts," and "There is no greater gift than friendship."
Set on Christmas Eve, it tells the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor. He joins other children as they embark on a journey to visit Santa Claus, who is preparing for Christmas. William Broyles Jr.
What is the purpose of the homeless guy on The Polar Express?
Hobo – The Hobo is a magical and ghostly character who inhabits the roof of the train and understands the true meaning of Christmas. He plays Devil's Advocate to test the strength of the Hero Boy's skepticism about Santa throughout the film.
Maybe his sibling was still born, and the Polar Express is a way for him to grief the death of his bother. Or the baby died in their infancy. Or as a young child, they were run over by a train at Christmas time (hence the Polar Express). Tom Hanks plays the dad, conductor, ghost, and Santa.
The Polar Express 2 is confirmed as in development, but it's still in the early stages and may not get made. The original film was a technological innovation but initially had mixed reviews and was an expensive flop.
Tom Hanks voiced an incredible 5 characters (6 if you count the narrator as a separate character) in the 2004 motion capture hit, The Polar Express. He voiced the 'Hero Boy's' father, the train conductor, the hobo, Santa Clause, and the Scrooge puppet.
Since the character is a kid, Tom Hanks couldn't do all the motion capture work by himself. Josh Hutcherson, who was a child at the time, did the motion capture work that Tom Hanks couldn't.
What is the significance of the man on top of the train in Polar Express?
Given the way that the character can appear and disappear while also seeming unbothered by riding on top of the speeding train, many theories suggest he is a spirit of some kind. A deleted scene from The Polar Express confirms that the Hobo is in fact a ghost who was killed while riding on the top of the train.
The Hobo is one of many characters from the film to not be originally in The Polar Express book. He is also the only character in this situation played by Tom Hanks. The Hobo tells Hero Boy, "You don't wanna be led down the primrose path!" However, the primrose path actually refers to an easy life.
The faces of Hero Boy's parents are never dierectly shown in the film while the book only mentions his mother and father. According to The Polar Express: The Movie: Trip to the North Pole, Hero Boy's mother is pregnant during the events of the story. Hero Boy's parents do not appear in the video game.
What does Billy's ticket say in The Polar Express?
Billy's ticket gets punched for the return trip. When he first looks at it, it reads, "DEPEND ON", but it changes to "RELY ON" and "COUNT ON" after each time he flips it.
Although there isn't a ton of information concerning exactly when the film takes place, the Hero Boy has a copy of a Saturday Evening Post magazine from December 29, 1956. Since the film takes place on Christmas Eve, it's safe to say that it's at least set in 1957.
They return safely to their homes in time for Christmas Day, and the boy finds the Christmas Present from Santa beneath his tree, after which the story concludes.
