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.
The Polar Express has the same problem. The characters are supposed to be human and life-like, but they look off and it creeps a lot of people out. Furthermore, the uncanny valley is more pronounced with motion so when the characters are walking, turning, or shaking their head, it's slightly disturbing.
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.
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.
Plus another boy explains obliquely that Christmas has 'never worked out' for him. The clear inference is, he's a poor kid with parents who couldn't afford to buy him presents. So he never got any from Santa. Then at the end, they more or less say, obliquely, that Santa doesn't exist.
Some parents may elect to use the film's theme of “childlike faith in one who is unseen” to convey a spiritual message, though others will feel uncomfortable using a movie that has consciously stripped Jesus out of Christmas as a means of metaphorically putting Him back in, aided by yuletide myth.
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.
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.
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.
The Polar Express was the first feature-length film to be entirely created using motion capture technology. This revolutionary technique allowed the animators to create a highly realistic 3D world without having to draw each frame. The result was a unique and stunning visual style, unlike anything seen before.
The uncanny valley (Japanese: 不気味の谷, Hepburn: bukimi no tani) effect is a hypothesized psychological and aesthetic relation between an object's degree of resemblance to a human being and the emotional response to the object. Examples of the phenomenon exist among robotics, 3D computer animations and lifelike dolls.
Taking a trip down the infamously terrifying uncanny valley, The Polar Express struggles to reflect the real-life emotions and facial expressions of a human character, instead opting for poor-quality renders that suggest nothing behind the glazed eyes of the main cast.
The popular train ride has been canceled for the 2022 season, citing a "systemwide shortage of railroad personnel" that has left the station with "not enough certified operating crews," according to the Polar Express website.
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.
The boy arrives home and the conductor wishes him a Merry Christmas. He wakes up on Christmas morning to find a present containing his lost bell with a note from Santa.
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly the star of The Polar Express. He plays many of the main characters, including that of the narrator, the conductor, the hobo, Santa Claus, and “Hero Boys' father.
TOILETS - Please note that due to the age of our train set, no toilets or baby changing facilities are available on board the train. All toilets are on the station platform so please make sure to use the toilet facilities at the station before we leave as the train ride lasts an hour.
Parents need to know that, like the book that inspired it, the The Polar Express has wonderful messages about the importance of believing, the value of friendship, respect for leadership and courage, and the beauty of being kind to others.
What is the spiritual meaning behind The Polar Express?
Now, the movie isn't trying to convert people to a specific religion, but rather it's showing people that having faith — despite the doubts that shadow our minds or the hardships that weigh heavy on our souls — can help you find the answer to problems you have in your life.
Due to some of the violent scenes mentioned below, children under the age of 5 will need parental guidance to view this movie. Some children in this age group may still need some parental guidance. Children over the age of eight should be okay to see this movie with or without parental guidance.
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.
This is not the wholesome family Christmas movie it claims to be. The Polar Express is a heart-racing, shudder-inducing, edge-of-your-seat horror movie, and here's why: We start the movie with a decidedly eerie undertone right away.
