The Polar Express had everything it needed to become a holiday classic, like a $165 million budget and many cameos by Tom Hanks. The full-length movie was based on the award-winning picture book by Chris Van Allsburg about a little boy who takes a train to the North Pole. On the way to what seemed like a great trip, something strange happened.
How did this movie go from being about holiday fun to holiday fear?
Sharon Roberts, in charge of The Polar Express, was all smiles as the train moved through the snowy landscape.Ben McCanna/Getty Images caught the Polar Express train in Maine.
“The Polar Express” could have been better if it had used CGI and animation.In 2004, an IMAX theater was the first place to show a full-length animated 3D movie. People excited about new technology came out to see this movie’s premiere in the winter. It made $183.37 million at the box office, making it one of the most successful Christmas movies ever. Even though the movie is doing well at the box office, the early reviews paint a different picture of how good it could be.
CNN said the movie was “disturbing and at worst a little bit scary.” Even though the author liked the music and the action scenes, they didn’t like the characters.
In an article from The Guardian about the worst CGI mistakes in movies, people had similar ideas. The author had a hard time coming up with a way to say that watching the main characters in a movie act was “like seeing animals with skin.”
Everyone was annoyed by the bad animation, not just people who went to the movies. Someone on Reddit asked, “Why did you think The Polar Express was creepy?” In response to their Facebook post, a fan wrote, “The CGI for the most part.” “So many people are dead.”
Many people thought that the “uncanny valley” created by the animation in the movie was a flaw in the film. Scientific American says that we are in the “uncanny valley” when we see characters that look like people but don’t act like people. Their CGI looks were authentic in The Polar Express, but their movements were jerky, and their eyes were lifeless.
Is the girl in Polar Express given a name?
An art book about the movie The Polar Express says that Hero Girl’s real name is Holly.
“What does the hobo stand for?” asks Polar Express.
He doesn’t have to pay to ride the Polar Express when he wants to. Hero Boy is tested by his negativity, even though he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or Christmas. Hero Boy is the only character who sees or talks to him in the movie.
Who was the ghost that the Polar Express saw?
The Polar Express is not clear who the Hobo is in the movie. This ghost lives on top of the Polar Express and rides whenever he wants. Hero Boy’s faith is put to the test because he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or Christmas.