What does the hobo represent in 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.
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What is the significance of the Hobo in 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.
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What is the dark meaning behind the Polar Express?

The conductor and hobo are two of the paths the hero can take depending on what he chooses to believe after this night. The Polar Express is dark because when one stops believing in childhood imagination, they become older and older until one day, they pass away.
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What is the symbolism of Polar Express?

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.
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What is the homeless guy in the Polar Express?

The Hobo is a supporting character of the 2004 animated film The Polar Express. He is a strange man who lives on top of the Polar Express and rides it whenever he feels like it for free. He does not believe in Santa Claus or Christmas, but his negativity tests Hero Boy's faith.
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Polar Express Theory: The Boy is the Conductor and Hobo

Is the hobo in Polar Express dead?

But, the Hobo didn't have a ghost to save him, and he died on the job. Now the Hobo haunts the area he spent most of his life in, the Polar Express, helping kids and workers on there, but he still misses his time as Santa.
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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.
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Was The Polar Express just a dream?

The entire train ride could be perceived as a dream where he processes his doubts over Santa Claus, with him finally accepting it before waking up. The other characters can be translated as aspects of his psyche, arguing for, and against, his belief.
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What did Hero Boy whisper to Santa?

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.
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Was the mom pregnant in Polar Express?

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.
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Why was Polar Express controversial?

The animation in The Polar Express has been criticized as creepy, with the characters feeling unsettling and off-putting to many viewers. The movie evokes a nostalgic feeling of Christmas, with its focus on the importance of belief and the magic of the holiday season.
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What do the bells mean in Polar Express?

While at the North Pole, he receives the first gift of Christmas in the form of a sleigh bell from Santa's sleigh. “Santa says, This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas, as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” Losing the bell on the journey home, he is brokenhearted.
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Is Polar Express 2 coming out?

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.
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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.
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Why is Steven Tyler in Polar Express?

Steven Tyler (born March 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter. He performed the song, "Rockin' on Top of the World" for the film and thus, did the voice of Elf Singer, who sang the song in the film.
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Is the conductor in Polar Express Tom Hanks?

The train conductor is the main character in the film, and Hanks brings him to life with a warm and friendly voice. He is the narrator of the movie and helps guide the boy on his journey to the North Pole.
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Who does the ghost in Polar Express represent?

I think that the Hobo represents the ghost of what would have happened to Hero Boy, had he never gotten on the train. A skeptical, bitter adult who is stuck on the Polar express, trying to meet Santa.
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What was a crotal bell used for?

Crotal bells, also known as rumble bells, were used on horse-drawn vehicles before motorised vehicles were common. They were often made of bronze with a slot cut down the side. These bells were used to warn other horse-drawn vehicle users (mostly on country roads) that another vehicle was approaching.
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How many voices did Tom Hanks do in Polar Express?

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.
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Is The Polar Express a time machine?

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.
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Is the conductor in Polar Express the little boy?

The conductor also looks like an adult version of Hero Boy. He is strict, but kind and looks out for Hero Boy. "I believe the conductor represents Hero Boy as an Adult, after riding the Train. He makes sure Hero Boy believes in Santa by the end of that trip.
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What was the real Polar Express?

Here's the scoop: The animation team modeled The Polar Express locomotive after Pere Marquette Railway No. 1225, which is 2-8-4 Berkshire wheel arrangement built by the Lima Locomotive Works in October 1941.
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Who is the man on the roof in Polar Express?

The Hobo (King) is a recurring character in The Polar Express film. He is a ghost/spirit of a man who lives on top of the Polar Express and rides it whenever he feels like it for free. He does believe in Santa Claus and Christmas, but often acts goofy about it.
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Who was Smokey in The Polar Express?

The Polar Express (2004) - Michael Jeter as Smokey, Steamer - IMDb.
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What do the hole punches mean in Polar Express?

For the trip to the North Pole, the Conductor punches two letters in each of the children's tickets that become a word or phrase for the return trip representing a message for the child.
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