The Polar Express was released back in 2004 and, while many consider it a classic holiday movie, there are others who are “creeped out” by it, causing it to become a controversial choice during the Christmas season.
What is The Polar Express “controversy” and why is it “creepy”?
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. This creates an eerie disturbing sensation for some viewers.
The hot chocolate scene is a great example of how the animation can be both brilliant and terrifying at the same time:
Many of the children’s faces animate in an odd way, breaking the illusion that these could be real kids. Smiling seems particularly challenging for the animators, as faces don’t fully sell the emotion.
The Uncanny Valley phenomenon causes an odd sensation and some viewers won’t experience it at all. However, for those who are creeped out by The Polar Express, know that you’re not alone.
What’s more, while the visuals were pretty impressive when the movie was released back in 2004, it hasn’t aged well and the sense of “Uncanny Valley” has arguably worsened with its age. 10 years on, The Polar Express may be perceived as even creepier by future audiences.
For those who can embrace the animation style, The Polar Express remains a popular choice for holiday celebrations. Just don’t be surprised if some family members object to you putting it on the TV, as they might find it a little creepy!
Many of the children's faces animate in an odd way, breaking the illusion that these could be real kids. Smiling seems particularly challenging for the animators, as faces don't fully sell the emotion. The Uncanny Valley
Uncanny Valley
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.
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.
Let's address the elephant in the room: a lot of people hate this movie. The most common complaint is that the animation makes the people look uncanny, and I get it. However, I don't think that's enough to dismiss all the great things about the movie.
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 hobo in Polar Express is a mysterious figure who appears in the Polar Express. His character wasn't featured in the original book, but he adds a sense of mystery and bemusem*nt to all his scenes.
Instead of being filled with wonder and enchantment as you'd anticipate, this film is mostly stressful and off putting, with the children constantly being out in dangerous and even life threatening situations.
There's a hidden reference to "Back to the Future" in the newspaper clipping. The Hero Boy keeps these newspaper clippings to prove Santa isn't real. Warner Bros. The boy's collection of papers show why he's come to the conclusion that Santa isn't real.
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. Throughout the film, Hero Boy is the only character who sees and directly interacts with him.
Summaries. On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above, The Polar Express has several suspenseful scenes that could scare or disturb children under 5 years. For example: The young boy meets a hobo on the top of the train. Although the hobo is polite, he looks very creepy.
Hero Girl is one of many characters to not come from the original book. However, she was inspired by a girl who appears in one of the illustrations, sitting onboard the train next to Hero Boy during the return trip.
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 silver bell is a crotal bell Hero Boy receives as the first gift of Christmas. It makes a beautiful and sweet ringing sound that only individuals who truly believe in Santa Claus and the Christmas spirit can hear.
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. Just like the hobo who was a bitter and cold ghost.
We understand this event is an important experience for families and hope to return in the future.” Organizers elaborated on a Facebook post and said the cancelation is it's due to reconstruction near Union Station in the West Loop. The event was also canceled in 2022 due to staffing shortages.
Conflict. He struggles with believing in Santa. All his other friends don't believe. He gets on the train and sees that there are other kids on there too.
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.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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