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Like Charlie Calvin Says in the First Santa Clause movie, to his step father Neil... Neil: "Have you ever seen a reindeer fly?" Charlie: "Yes!" Neil: "Well I havent!" Charlie: "Have you ever seen a million dollars?" Neil: "Well no." Charlie: "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't real."
It is. The behind the scenes lore in "the making of" with Pierre Marquette 1225 accurately portrayed (with a magic streak of course) and Gravity Group's Glacier Gulch...it's real to me. I see things like that being real as a reward for having believed as a child.
I loved The Polar Express ever since it came out 13 years ago. There's never a doubt in my mind that this is one of the best Christmas movies ever made along with Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. And I also really love your theory videos too Issac, keep up the great work. ❤❤
Megan Frank my favoutite movies are : Elf with Will Ferrel, Mickeys twice apon a christmas, Deck the halls with Danny Devito And christmas with the Kranks :) i love christmas
Sunniva M. Hagatun But if it really happened how come his robe isn’t ripped when he wakes up. They intentionally highlight his ripped robe for the very purpose to confuse people and show that it could have been a dream but then it can’t be a dream because of the bell there’s the mystery
Spencer Frank Clayton that just comes across a little far reached to me though 😂 like how did Santa even know his robe was ripped, and how did he have time to stop and stitch a gown
I think it's a dream, during the ride to the North Pole, look at how many times the boy could've died! The time where he nearly fell off the back of the train, the time where the train couldn't slow down, and the time where the ice was cracking. I believe (haha..) that he wasn't dying because he refuses to, he refuses to die and wake up because he still hasn't made a decision yet on whether to believe or to not, the time where he nearly fell off the back of the train was him suggesting that Santa isn't real, having the hobo (who doesn't believe in Santa) save him. The time where the train couldn't slow down, the conductor makes sure that both the boy and girl doesn't fly off, it was him suggesting that maybe Santa is real. When the ice was cracking, it was him picking a side, with the train sliding to the left and right being his "pointer" on who to believe, when the train gets on the tracks, it was the boy adding more time to the clock, because he didn't have time to choose. When he reaches the North Pole, and when the passenger car at the back gets uncoupled and rolls back, it was him back tracking tying to piece all the evidence he has gathered on the journey. When the bell flew off and the boy couldn't hear ringing, it was him accepting the hobo's side, but when the boy says "I believe," he was giving the conductor's side a chance, and when he rang the bell, it was him finally accepting the fact that Santa is real. When the boy wakes up from the dream, the present with the bell and the note WAS real. I think that somehow, the boy has opened up a portal in his dream to link his dream with reality. Let's go back to the ice part, the ice cracking being the portal opening, the passenger cars falling in the water was a sign that the universe between the dream and reality has been linked (imagine the water as the portal.) when the boy gets dropped off back to his house, the "Thank you" the conductor gave the boy was him thanking the boy for believing, and the thing the boy didn't hear was the conductor saying that he left a gift for the boy in the real world, and when the boy asks what the conductor says, he just says "Merry Christmas" because before he would have time to explain what he said again, the train would already be too far away from the boy to hear what the conductor would say. This took about 20 minutes to 1 hour to write...
The Polar Express having the ability to halt time may suggest the train is actually a time machine. There was a Flux Capacitor hidden in the locomotive's cab after all
In a way, I had my own Polar Express experience. There was one year I didn't believe in Christmas and became a Grinch nearly all year. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that somehow I couldn't sleep for some reason. Then, as I went to sleep, I heard something sneezing next to my window, and I saw a red glow through my curtains (and they were thin at the time). After that, I couldn't sleep at all. It wasn't until the next morning I went outside and noticed my lemon bush was busted, and I saw hoof prints all over the ground in the mud. That's when I believe in Christmas again. Another proof is when a couple of years ago after my godson was born, I wrote a letter to Santa asking to not give me any more presents cause I'm older now and wanted him to give someone less fortunate to have my presents and to help my godson to believe if he ever slipped as I did. The next morning, I got a present with the words SC on it, and I showed it to Mom and Dad, they couldn't believe their eyes since that's not their handwriting. After that, I always hear the bells on Christmas Eve. My Polar Express may not be like Hero Boys, but I think it was close enough.
NAVEMAN3 I did as well.... But at a younger age. I was at most 15 years old. Now ever since I was young I have always loved Christmas but this year felt....different than normal. I didn't write a letter to Santa and I didn't really have many hopes for Christmas. On the night just before it would turn to Christmas Day something odd happened. My silver pocket watch that is still working to this day.....suddenly stopped ticking. The second hand was stuck in place just mere milliseconds from turning into Christmas Day and I heard a sound.....a sound that was familiar...yet I never heard it till that night "Ether I'm going nuts or I just heard a steam engines whistle." I said trying to go back to sleep but the sound kept getting louder, and louder. I could hear chuffing and a low tone but somehow aggressive whistles coming closer and closer than....as if I were in the movie I heard the whistle at my door but this time I got up. Putting on my blue fleece hoodie and slip on vans....to my surprise there was a steam engine. Not the polar express no, not even close. But instead was the engine in my pictures on my rooms wall. The whistle blew again as I came close it hissed itself into a vail of steam. The next thing I knew it was gone.... And left behind was a ticket "Lake view express" it read and rather I just imagined it or it actually happened that was my experience so to speak.
Dude, that's weird! I had an experience like that once. When I was about fourteen, I didn't write a letter to Santa. My sister did the cookies and milk that year. I was having trouble sleeping so I went to get a drink from the kitchen. When I was getting my slippers on a could have swore I saw a glowing light. To make things stranger, the clock in my parents room stopped working just a second before midnight. I also swore I heard a noise outside. So instead of ignoring it, I put on my shoes and favorite thick hoody and ran outside of the house. To this day, I swear I saw a flying sleigh. But my older sister thiks I was just dreaming.
The way The Polar Express is told is kind of similar to the Nutcracker where we are never really sure if the Nutcracker actually came to life or if it was just a dream. Some retellings heavily imply that it was a dream, while others make it look like it was a dream but then SURPRISE! Here is the handsome prince in the real world, and now you're not sure what to think. That said, I like ambiguous endings like these because it allows you to interpret it for yourself and as a result, you learn more about what kind of person you are. Great video!
Mr Personal Theory is the Polar Express picks up dreaming children from all over the world and allow them to visit the actual North Pole and the actual Santa while they dream, hence why it yes was a dream but he had the bell from Santa.
Assuming the current top speed of a steam locomotive (90 miles per hour): I can say that this theory may have some misconceptions; if it were to pick up all of the children in the United States: it would need to depart from its current station of registry (which obviously is Owosso, Michigan) by December 11 (making stops at every major city) in order to arrive by 23:00 (or 11 PM) on December 24. So if it were to pick up all of them in the world: it would have to depart from Owosso, Michigan by August 13 (when the school year is just beginning) Testing the theory using the top speed of a diesel locomotive (about 140 miles per hour) is somewhat better: it can depart from Owosso by August 24 and be on time. This does further confirm that the journey is a dream.
@@edgarmartinez7371 There's a lot of things you could've chosen to demonstrate that it wasn't possible. Like the fact that Santa would have to travel at Mach 10 or so to deliver all the gifts in one night, or that the train wouldn't be able to do the roller coaster like scenes.
If I could present an interesting theory as to how it remains five minutes to midnight throughout most of the movie, at one point, we can see inside the cab of the engine itself that there is a working flux capacitor among the gauges. You could say that this is just a little reference to back to the future, but I think it also implies that the polar express is a time machine, which is why clocks halt at five minutes to midnight whenever the train arrives
I love that movie! I realize that everyone gets to a certain age,it's called the age of not believing(you hear the song in Bedknobs and Broomsticks). I believe that it's not a dream for the boy,you see glimpses of it not being a dream when he returns. The gift from Santa, only the kids hearing the bells,how each child on the express is taught a specific lesson about themselves and believing in wonderful things and kindness.
I love this movie! It’s definitely a magical story, full of wonder and excitement. In this cynical society, kids really are growing up too fast, and their imaginations don’t get nearly enough exercise. We really need stories like this one. Have you ever noticed that while Hero Boy’s clock is fading out, the sound of Santa’s bell in reverse is fading in? Maybe it symbolizes the transition between real time and Polar Express time, or the growth of true belief the boy is about to experience. I’m totally blind, so audible details like this really interest me. Great video! By the way, I’ve entered your giveaway 4 or 5 times. No luck yet.
My theory is that he sees his future self in the train conductor because at the end of the movie and they do a close up shot of the tree there’s a train going around it
I find it intresting how this movie can bring so much theory and discussion. I’ve read thousands of comments of everyone bringing there own ideas to the table about how this movie works or is related to real life. This is what a Christmas community is and this is why IMO the polar express is one of the best Christmas movies to date
Ya. One comment was CRAZY, they thought the main character was kidnapped on Christmas Eve and the entire movie was his mind trying to make himself feel better. I don’t know how they got that, but it’s sad.
It was real! All of it! The bell proves everything. I get the thing about the pocket ripping, but I think the Narnian explanation of reality time halting could explain that. No one else who climbed aboard is going to think the Train was real because they don't have physical proof. But the boy specifically asked for the bell so that he would always remember to believe.
I think his journey was a dream, I always figured the bell was symbolic of his choice in the end to truly believe in the magic of Christmas- a choice he said he carried out through his entire life, even after all his friends and even his younger sister stopped believing.
I remember reading the storybook every year in elementary school. (Btw, in the book, Santa addresses the boy as Chris in his note returning the bell. The book is told in 1st person, so it seems to imply that the author, Chris Van Allsburg, is writing it like a memoir.)
The thing with his robe makes it seem real. The first time he rips it when the train arrives the hole is considerably smaller than when he rips it Christmas day.
There is one piece of evidence that people often overlook that hints that it all could be real. The tickets. It’s been proven that it is impossible to either write or read clearly in a dream, yet the words the conductor punches into the tickets are clearly written out for the kids to read.
He wasn’t dreaming, it was actually happening Remember that scene on top of the train and he tries to wake himself up, he tried pinching himself and then he face planted into a patch of super cold snow, that should’ve been enough to wake anybody up but...nothing happened If you pinch yourself (or in Hero Boy’s case: Face plant into snow lol) to see if your dreaming but nothing happened, then the answer is simple: It’s actually real. Also he got the bell back in Christmas Morning and he received a note that Santa found the bell on his sleigh because of the hole in his pocket. I’d certainly say everything Hero Boy did on The Polar Express actually happened.
The Polar Express has a lot of mysteries and odd little details if you look further into it. For example, when the boy re-enters the train for the back trip and puts his ticket in his pocket, you can see the ticket vanish/turn invisible. And during the hot chocolate scenes, you can see the waiters put their towels on thin air as if there was a table there, even though there is no table visible. This could either be explained with "it's a magic train", but it also makes everything feel like a dream where tiny details don't make sense. To be honest, "it's a magic train" can either explain everything or nothing, really. Besides the obvious time travel with the clock being stuck at 5 before 12 and the clock stopping to tick in the beginning, there are other odd details: When the train arrives at the boys home in the beginning you can see steam shooting out of the heater at the same time the train whistles, which could also point to the boy dreaming of a whistling train because he hears the heater steam while asleep. Then there is also the fact how his parents and all the people in the neighbourhood don't wake up from the loud train at all, the boy is the only one waken up by the train who runs outside. Also at the end you see an outside shot of the garden, with no train tracks visible (but this could be either explained with the tracks being covered with snow or "it's a magic train" again). Interesting how ambiguous this movie by making it feel like a dream and a real experience at the same time. And it has other interesting mysteries as well, like why the girl was given the task to drive the train after she lost her ticket, why they even need tickets on a free tour, or what the hobo represents or where he comes from.
I loved the movie I saw it on a field trip and we wearing a polar Express ticket and watched in theaters with some classes at my school trip with soda and popcorn and after we had Santa visiting us ( I believe in Santa p.s I'm a kid) and gave us gifts because weeks ago we did a Christmas catalog and gave us what we wanted and gave us bells and it says on the tag " Those who hear the bell ring they truly believe". Edit I forgot it here it says "those who truly believe"
Its just a thought but as the boy's sister believes in xmas and he doesn't, and as you said that the characters are like memories from the past the conductor could be the sister (even if he is a boy) and the hobo could be the hero boy as he believes what he sees
I just realized that he finds some magnificient friends and never sees them again. Now this story seems so sad. A kid finds some friends and discovers santa is real only to wake up and never see them again...
@@crazyfire9470 Probably the same city as well. In fact a lot of the kids on the polar express were probably from the same city/state (evidence being when like half of the kids jumped up when the know-it-all yelled "Herpolshimers!" which was a department store in Michigan)
This video is amazing, Isaac! The Polar Express is one of my favourite movies of all time and defenitly my favourite Christmas movie! For me the Polar Express journey happened in the boy's head, but that doesn't make it less real. Everything he experienced still ment something to him and formed his opinion of believing in Santa, and for me that's why he has the bell: it was real, even if in another dimension (his dreams). I think this topic was really well explored and I just really really enjoy your videos (even though I might not comment much... sorry!) :)
I too have questioned the realness of the Hero Boy's journey. While during my most recent watch of the movie, I was trying to think of who the hobo and conductor really could be. My first theory when recently watching it, was that this whole movie was maybe a physical/watchable timeline for any of these three unknown men (Hero Boy, the hobo, and the conductor). I also was thinking that maybe the hobo could have been a spirit or maybe even the spirit of the Polar Express itself.
I've found the dream theory particularly convincing, especially with the time standing still. There's just too much evidence of that for me to not believe that. As for the bell on Christmas morning, it's possible that the boy wanted a bell from "Santa" at the mall or in a letter in the first place. The parents acting like they did not know what he wanted from Santa is pretty common. Parents always act surprised with their kids even though they really are not. He may have originally wanted one of the bells from Santa's sleigh as a test to see whether Santa was real or not. If he was real, then Santa would be able to deliver such a special kind of bell from his sleigh, proving the sleigh was real and hence Santa being the deliverer. If not, then Santa's existence would be dubious if he could not deliver such a simple gift, and those giving him presents in the name of Santa would be his dad (notice his Santa hat after tucking in Sarah) conning him. That's a thought anyway.
Neil D'Alessandro I had the same thought. And the parents would have pretended not to hear the bell so they could try to keep the magic going for their son. But there's a big flaw in that theory. His sister could hear the bell, but then he goes on to say that it eventually fell silent for her. So what reason would his sister have to pretend to not hear it anymore?
But what about the note? If this was the case then his parents couldn't have known about him tearing his pocket since in their time it wouldn't have happened until that morning
He did not write a letter to santa, the conductor says it when they first meet, so it was kind of a dream dimension but it all happened for real, the bell beeing the prove that Santa gave him, only when he did choose to believe
Great video, but one thing you said bothered me a bit. You mentioned how the rip in his robe was evidence that it was a dream. But when it rips the first time, he can only get two fingers through, which is shown several times. And when he then rips it later, the hole is huge and his entire hand fits in. Like it got ripped even more
Whether or not the movie was a dream, I always wanted the film's depiction of the North Pole to become reality at a Disney theme park. The red brick buildings in a clean, yet Industrial Revolution style always felt like perfect candidates for show building facades. Imagine a runaway caboose roller coaster! Or a Polar Express train like the Hogwarts Express at Universal! I think the limiting factor is that while the Harry Potter franchise encompasses all seasons, The Polar Express is narrowly aligned with the winter season (and specifically Christmas), making it unsuitable for a year-round theme park land, destination, or attraction. Still, I can dream, even if this idea isn't reality.
I have my own theory that when The Conductor slipped and fell in the past-in the story he was telling the main character as they were going across the roof-I think that The Christmas Spirit (The Hobo Ghost) saved him.
Did you know that I liked The Polar Express and that The Polar Express turned out to be my top favorite main reason why I like to see trains outside my gang of windows?
With your ideas in mind, the Hero Boy believes that it was not a dream because when Billy asks him if all of this could be a dream, he says no. Great theory!
I love this movie and I thought it always took place in real time that was meddled with by magic. I never thought it was a dream. I also always used to find myself humming or even singing the "Hot Chocolate Song" from the movie. I haven't watched it in years.
I think the movie is a dream the boy has but one caused by magic. I've heard something about how dreams can all take place in a really short amount of time. Like several hours could pass in a dream but in real life its only been a few minutes. I think something like this could be happening in the movie as shown by time "stopping" when the boy's adventure starts. This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. And it helped revive the spirit in me in a time I really needed some magic. No matter how many times I've seen Polar Express. I always watch it when it's on. It always makes me feel like theres really some kind of magic on the world.
The original writer of the polar express based the story on a dream he had as a child on xmas eve. I believe the original story was a dream but the movie, not so much due to that last part. They likely included that end part because an audience finds it unsatisfactory if its the 'it was all just a dream' scenario
Love the video! This still bugs me to this day. I watched this movie so long ago when I was little. It still is one of my favorite Christmas movies. And to this day I don't know if I believe it was real... or a dream. My inner child says it was real, while me being a cynical adult says it's a dream. Ah...The continuous Polar Express Conundrum. Thank you for the video! Happy Holidays everyone! 😁
I'm kind of going off the idea that Santa just knew what he was dreaming about and just decided to confirm it with him that being what his dream was very important to him..... I mean come on a guy with that much magic who can see all the children of the world couldn't really? see their dreams....I don't think that's that far off to imagine
I suppose we all have our...crucial year so to speak. I had a interesting experience many years ago one Christmas Eve.... I'm not sure if it was really but it did change me to say the least.
Reasons why it’s implied to have been a dream: 1. When Hero Boy falls asleep before the train comes, the clock stops ticking, implying that he is now asleep. 2. Nobody except Hero Boy hears the train coming, nor does anybody notice him gone. 3. The events would’ve killed him, like the roller coaster part 4. When he wakes up Christmas morning, he rips the same pocket, and marbles come out, marbles could not have come out of the same pocket if it was already ripped. 5. When he looks out the window, there are no train tracks, and only cars in the road. So, in conclusion, this movie was just him dreaming
This movie came out four days before I was born, and I guess I grew up with it, I watched this movie even in the middle of the summer, I love it dearly to this day
I think it’s a dream, reason being is because of many things, for one, the fact the polar express literally came down his suburban street. For two, the changes in the train itself given to the situation, such as the connection of the last car and the main car turning from an inside train connector, to a scary Icy one, with almost no way to get from car to car. Also the changing of the size, speed, and capability of the train. The cars going from what seems like never ending in the first appearance, to 5 cars, to 19 cars, back to 5. The massive locomotive going what seems like Mach 1 on very small tracks, the train drifting on an icy river. The setting is also dreamy, being that it’s so snowy in some places that you literally can’t see anything whatsoever. With all this in mind, + more I haven’t listed, I believe the polar express is a story told by the hero boy to his child of a dream he had many a year ago.
KiercyLou 7 It is no Dream. How did he get the bell. Santa's note says he found the bell on his sleigh. So it is no Dream. If it was then santa will be in his mind and the bell won't ring for him because he will just think it was a dream. So it is no Dream.
But the bell fell on the sleigh because of the ripped robe. If the next morning the robe ripped again then how could’ve the bell fell to begin with? Maybe it’s Christmas magic.
Well some dreams can predict future or like things in dreams are things that may happen in the future and when you wake up then things kinda roll the same you'll feel as if it were real
The dream was a gift from Santa, along with the bell. That's the only explanation that fixes the intentionally-written Christmas contraction, the same contradiction that underpins all faith. Beautiful movie and masterful story.
I remember seeing the movie when I was a little kid in school they played it every yyear but now at the age of 22 going on 23 i feel like that the boy had to be dreaming because how come the train didn't wake up the whole street and how come only the boy could hear it the answer it was all a dream the only thing i can't explain is the bell at the very end other than that i say he was dreaming the whole thing up i just don't know how to explain the bell at the end
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hey how do muggleborns get told about the magical universe
Isaac what if Santa or his helpers sewed his robe together again but then for it to only be riped a second time.
Wotso Videos you should search how scar fixed the circle of life video
Wotso Videos The boys real name is Chris
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
TiBun it doesnt
I agree
“But it’s the truth, even if it didn’t happen.” - Ken Kesey (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)
Don’t tell a schizophrenic that
Like Charlie Calvin Says in the First Santa Clause movie, to his step father Neil...
Neil: "Have you ever seen a reindeer fly?"
Charlie: "Yes!"
Neil: "Well I havent!"
Charlie: "Have you ever seen a million dollars?"
Neil: "Well no."
Charlie: "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't real."
When my sister was younger, she had a dream where she went on the Polar Express, and she was convinced for awhile that it was real.
Wat
I think this film is really good for keeping your belief in santa
One year I asked Santa for a ticket to ride the polar express.
That’s because it was real
It is. The behind the scenes lore in "the making of" with Pierre Marquette 1225 accurately portrayed (with a magic streak of course) and Gravity Group's Glacier Gulch...it's real to me. I see things like that being real as a reward for having believed as a child.
I loved The Polar Express ever since it came out 13 years ago. There's never a doubt in my mind that this is one of the best Christmas movies ever made along with Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. And I also really love your theory videos too Issac, keep up the great work. ❤❤
I'm not sure which movies I will discuss next but I have considered discussing all of those! I'm happy you're enjoying the videos!
Which ever movies you want to have theories on next, I'll be glad to hear them. Have a magical day and have a wonderful Merry Christmas.
Wait Polar Express came out 13 years ago! I thought it came out much later but I was 1 when this came out wow!
+Calinda Strayhorn yup it came out on November 10th 2004
Megan Frank my favoutite movies are : Elf with Will Ferrel, Mickeys twice apon a christmas, Deck the halls with Danny Devito And christmas with the Kranks :) i love christmas
That conductor sure is wacky though. And he must love to do things dangerously.
WeegeeSlayer which is a perfect character for Tom Hanks
How about the theory that the conductor is actually Teddy Roosevelt.
Darth Guilder Whaa r u talking about
pebnkev Tell me he doesn’t look like Roosevelt
+Darth Guilder Yeah if Teddy found a diet
This is funny 😂 but I think that the story is suppose to be based in the same timeframe as teddy Roosevelt
@@savannahgracesmith2000
Actually, it's based around 1957/1958. It was hinted by one of the magazines that heroboy was holding in the early scenes.
I've always wanted to do this one but I never got to it! It's such an awesome movie :D :D
Do it
*rings bell*
Parents: "I can't hear it."
Hero boy: *You wouldn't get it.*
The bell is literal proof that it actually happened
Sunniva M. Hagatun
But if it really happened how come his robe isn’t ripped when he wakes up. They intentionally highlight his ripped robe for the very purpose to confuse people and show that it could have been a dream but then it can’t be a dream because of the bell there’s the mystery
Exactly.
Jayjayacoco Perhaps Santa fixed it on his midnight ride, to make everything look the same as it did before?
Spencer Frank Clayton that just comes across a little far reached to me though 😂 like how did Santa even know his robe was ripped, and how did he have time to stop and stitch a gown
Spencer Frank Clayton just seems like santa might be a bit busy to stop n do an outfit fix
I think it's a dream, during the ride to the North Pole, look at how many times the boy could've died! The time where he nearly fell off the back of the train, the time where the train couldn't slow down, and the time where the ice was cracking.
I believe (haha..) that he wasn't dying because he refuses to, he refuses to die and wake up because he still hasn't made a decision yet on whether to believe or to not, the time where he nearly fell off the back of the train was him suggesting that Santa isn't real, having the hobo (who doesn't believe in Santa) save him. The time where the train couldn't slow down, the conductor makes sure that both the boy and girl doesn't fly off, it was him suggesting that maybe Santa is real. When the ice was cracking, it was him picking a side, with the train sliding to the left and right being his "pointer" on who to believe, when the train gets on the tracks, it was the boy adding more time to the clock, because he didn't have time to choose. When he reaches the North Pole, and when the passenger car at the back gets uncoupled and rolls back, it was him back tracking tying to piece all the evidence he has gathered on the journey. When the bell flew off and the boy couldn't hear ringing, it was him accepting the hobo's side, but when the boy says "I believe," he was giving the conductor's side a chance, and when he rang the bell, it was him finally accepting the fact that Santa is real. When the boy wakes up from the dream, the present with the bell and the note WAS real. I think that somehow, the boy has opened up a portal in his dream to link his dream with reality. Let's go back to the ice part, the ice cracking being the portal opening, the passenger cars falling in the water was a sign that the universe between the dream and reality has been linked (imagine the water as the portal.) when the boy gets dropped off back to his house, the "Thank you" the conductor gave the boy was him thanking the boy for believing, and the thing the boy didn't hear was the conductor saying that he left a gift for the boy in the real world, and when the boy asks what the conductor says, he just says "Merry Christmas" because before he would have time to explain what he said again, the train would already be too far away from the boy to hear what the conductor would say.
This took about 20 minutes to 1 hour to write...
Random person ._.
This is amazing and somewhat plausible considering it's a fictional world
Ms King
Thank you :D
this is somehow making sense, but if it was a dream, does it mean the people he met weren't real too?
karimitic kaeloo GREAT TEM LORD
Yup
but at the end his grown up narrating voice says that the girl and all the others eventually stopped believing, meaning they were real too
The Polar Express having the ability to halt time may suggest the train is actually a time machine. There was a Flux Capacitor hidden in the locomotive's cab after all
GWR Studios pointed it out on his video about the mistakes found in the movie
Maybe Santa repaired the boy's robe when he dropped of the present.
That’s a smart theory
😂😂
😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
In a way, I had my own Polar Express experience. There was one year I didn't believe in Christmas and became a Grinch nearly all year. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that somehow I couldn't sleep for some reason. Then, as I went to sleep, I heard something sneezing next to my window, and I saw a red glow through my curtains (and they were thin at the time). After that, I couldn't sleep at all. It wasn't until the next morning I went outside and noticed my lemon bush was busted, and I saw hoof prints all over the ground in the mud. That's when I believe in Christmas again. Another proof is when a couple of years ago after my godson was born, I wrote a letter to Santa asking to not give me any more presents cause I'm older now and wanted him to give someone less fortunate to have my presents and to help my godson to believe if he ever slipped as I did. The next morning, I got a present with the words SC on it, and I showed it to Mom and Dad, they couldn't believe their eyes since that's not their handwriting. After that, I always hear the bells on Christmas Eve. My Polar Express may not be like Hero Boys, but I think it was close enough.
He's all of us that gives then receives to those in need.
wait are you being serious
NAVEMAN3 I did as well.... But at a younger age. I was at most 15 years old. Now ever since I was young I have always loved Christmas but this year felt....different than normal. I didn't write a letter to Santa and I didn't really have many hopes for Christmas. On the night just before it would turn to Christmas Day something odd happened. My silver pocket watch that is still working to this day.....suddenly stopped ticking. The second hand was stuck in place just mere milliseconds from turning into Christmas Day and I heard a sound.....a sound that was familiar...yet I never heard it till that night "Ether I'm going nuts or I just heard a steam engines whistle." I said trying to go back to sleep but the sound kept getting louder, and louder. I could hear chuffing and a low tone but somehow aggressive whistles coming closer and closer than....as if I were in the movie I heard the whistle at my door but this time I got up. Putting on my blue fleece hoodie and slip on vans....to my surprise there was a steam engine. Not the polar express no, not even close. But instead was the engine in my pictures on my rooms wall. The whistle blew again as I came close it hissed itself into a vail of steam. The next thing I knew it was gone.... And left behind was a ticket "Lake view express" it read and rather I just imagined it or it actually happened that was my experience so to speak.
Dude, that's weird! I had an experience like that once. When I was about fourteen, I didn't write a letter to Santa. My sister did the cookies and milk that year. I was having trouble sleeping so I went to get a drink from the kitchen. When I was getting my slippers on a could have swore I saw a glowing light. To make things stranger, the clock in my parents room stopped working just a second before midnight. I also swore I heard a noise outside. So instead of ignoring it, I put on my shoes and favorite thick hoody and ran outside of the house. To this day, I swear I saw a flying sleigh. But my older sister thiks I was just dreaming.
That sounds really cool I never had a interaction like that growing up my parents made sure that I didn’t believe in Santa 😔
He sees you when your sleeping so he might have seen his dream and granted his wish.
Exactly
The way The Polar Express is told is kind of similar to the Nutcracker where we are never really sure if the Nutcracker actually came to life or if it was just a dream. Some retellings heavily imply that it was a dream, while others make it look like it was a dream but then SURPRISE! Here is the handsome prince in the real world, and now you're not sure what to think. That said, I like ambiguous endings like these because it allows you to interpret it for yourself and as a result, you learn more about what kind of person you are. Great video!
Well, I think the Polar Express is a blend between The Nutcracker & The Christmas Carol stories.
I remember seeing this in theaters when was 15. Now 13 years I still love watching this movie around Christmas.
Mr Personal Theory is the Polar Express picks up dreaming children from all over the world and allow them to visit the actual North Pole and the actual Santa while they dream, hence why it yes was a dream but he had the bell from Santa.
Assuming the current top speed of a steam locomotive (90 miles per hour): I can say that this theory may have some misconceptions; if it were to pick up all of the children in the United States: it would need to depart from its current station of registry (which obviously is Owosso, Michigan) by December 11 (making stops at every major city) in order to arrive by 23:00 (or 11 PM) on December 24. So if it were to pick up all of them in the world: it would have to depart from Owosso, Michigan by August 13 (when the school year is just beginning)
Testing the theory using the top speed of a diesel locomotive (about 140 miles per hour) is somewhat better: it can depart from Owosso by August 24 and be on time.
This does further confirm that the journey is a dream.
@@edgarmartinez7371 There's a lot of things you could've chosen to demonstrate that it wasn't possible. Like the fact that Santa would have to travel at Mach 10 or so to deliver all the gifts in one night, or that the train wouldn't be able to do the roller coaster like scenes.
@@edgarmartinez7371 I agree.
Of course it occurred in a dream. Why should that mean it wasn't real? Maybe the Polar Express exists in a universe only accessible in our dreams?
Exactly
@Dylan Quinn It's similar, certainly.
If I could present an interesting theory as to how it remains five minutes to midnight throughout most of the movie, at one point, we can see inside the cab of the engine itself that there is a working flux capacitor among the gauges. You could say that this is just a little reference to back to the future, but I think it also implies that the polar express is a time machine, which is why clocks halt at five minutes to midnight whenever the train arrives
I love that movie! I realize that everyone gets to a certain age,it's called the age of not believing(you hear the song in Bedknobs and Broomsticks). I believe that it's not a dream for the boy,you see glimpses of it not being a dream when he returns. The gift from Santa, only the kids hearing the bells,how each child on the express is taught a specific lesson about themselves and believing in wonderful things and kindness.
QOTD: Do you think The Polar Express is a dream?
Wotso Videos Nahhhhh 😂 I'm just gonna keep thinking it's not lol
Wotso Videos Nahh
Wotso Videos I think it’s reality
Wotso Videos i think its christmas magic!! *+*+*
Wotso Videos no way! I believe that it wasn't a dream
I love this movie! It’s definitely a magical story, full of wonder and excitement. In this cynical society, kids really are growing up too fast, and their imaginations don’t get nearly enough exercise. We really need stories like this one.
Have you ever noticed that while Hero Boy’s clock is fading out, the sound of Santa’s bell in reverse is fading in? Maybe it symbolizes the transition between real time and Polar Express time, or the growth of true belief the boy is about to experience. I’m totally blind, so audible details like this really interest me.
Great video! By the way, I’ve entered your giveaway 4 or 5 times. No luck yet.
My theory is that he sees his future self in the train conductor because at the end of the movie and they do a close up shot of the tree there’s a train going around it
Can't wait to watch this movie again it's one of my favorite christmas movies
I find it intresting how this movie can bring so much theory and discussion. I’ve read thousands of comments of everyone bringing there own ideas to the table about how this movie works or is related to real life. This is what a Christmas community is and this is why IMO the polar express is one of the best Christmas movies to date
Ya. One comment was CRAZY, they thought the main character was kidnapped on Christmas Eve and the entire movie was his mind trying to make himself feel better. I don’t know how they got that, but it’s sad.
It was real! All of it! The bell proves everything. I get the thing about the pocket ripping, but I think the Narnian explanation of reality time halting could explain that. No one else who climbed aboard is going to think the Train was real because they don't have physical proof. But the boy specifically asked for the bell so that he would always remember to believe.
I think his journey was a dream, I always figured the bell was symbolic of his choice in the end to truly believe in the magic of Christmas- a choice he said he carried out through his entire life, even after all his friends and even his younger sister stopped believing.
I remember reading the storybook every year in elementary school.
(Btw, in the book, Santa addresses the boy as Chris in his note returning the bell. The book is told in 1st person, so it seems to imply that the author, Chris Van Allsburg, is writing it like a memoir.)
The thing with his robe makes it seem real. The first time he rips it when the train arrives the hole is considerably smaller than when he rips it Christmas day.
But there wouldn't have been marbles inside the pocket in the morning then
@@erik-sr9bjexactly. He was dreaming
There is one piece of evidence that people often overlook that hints that it all could be real. The tickets. It’s been proven that it is impossible to either write or read clearly in a dream, yet the words the conductor punches into the tickets are clearly written out for the kids to read.
I think it was a dream. I've always believed that. But the ending with that note throws me off.
He wasn’t dreaming, it was actually happening
Remember that scene on top of the train and he tries to wake himself up, he tried pinching himself and then he face planted into a patch of super cold snow, that should’ve been enough to wake anybody up but...nothing happened
If you pinch yourself (or in Hero Boy’s case: Face plant into snow lol) to see if your dreaming but nothing happened, then the answer is simple: It’s actually real.
Also he got the bell back in Christmas Morning and he received a note that Santa found the bell on his sleigh because of the hole in his pocket.
I’d certainly say everything Hero Boy did on The Polar Express actually happened.
Have you ever had those dreams where you try to wake yourself up in the dream, but can’t? It’s called sleep paralysis, baby.
One Thing About Trains
It Doesn’t Matter Where You’re Going
What Matters is Desiding
To Get On
~ Tom Hanks (Polar Express)
The Polar Express has a lot of mysteries and odd little details if you look further into it. For example, when the boy re-enters the train for the back trip and puts his ticket in his pocket, you can see the ticket vanish/turn invisible. And during the hot chocolate scenes, you can see the waiters put their towels on thin air as if there was a table there, even though there is no table visible. This could either be explained with "it's a magic train", but it also makes everything feel like a dream where tiny details don't make sense. To be honest, "it's a magic train" can either explain everything or nothing, really.
Besides the obvious time travel with the clock being stuck at 5 before 12 and the clock stopping to tick in the beginning, there are other odd details: When the train arrives at the boys home in the beginning you can see steam shooting out of the heater at the same time the train whistles, which could also point to the boy dreaming of a whistling train because he hears the heater steam while asleep. Then there is also the fact how his parents and all the people in the neighbourhood don't wake up from the loud train at all, the boy is the only one waken up by the train who runs outside. Also at the end you see an outside shot of the garden, with no train tracks visible (but this could be either explained with the tracks being covered with snow or "it's a magic train" again).
Interesting how ambiguous this movie by making it feel like a dream and a real experience at the same time. And it has other interesting mysteries as well, like why the girl was given the task to drive the train after she lost her ticket, why they even need tickets on a free tour, or what the hobo represents or where he comes from.
I loved the movie I saw it on a field trip and we wearing a polar Express ticket and watched in theaters with some classes at my school trip with soda and popcorn and after we had Santa visiting us ( I believe in Santa p.s I'm a kid) and gave us gifts because weeks ago we did a Christmas catalog and gave us what we wanted and gave us bells and it says on the tag " Those who hear the bell ring they truly believe".
Edit I forgot it here it says "those who truly believe"
So glad you did a video on The Polar Express! I've always wondered so much about it. Also, it's one of my favorite animated movies of all time.
Its just a thought but as the boy's sister believes in xmas and he doesn't, and as you said that the characters are like memories from the past the conductor could be the sister (even if he is a boy) and the hobo could be the hero boy as he believes what he sees
Two words: astral projection.
Tamer of the World
What’s that?
Ok. But doesn't that mean that it's real then?
I LOVE THE POLAR EXPRESS!!! It's one of my favorite movies and train along side Casey Jr, Snow White, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan, and now Marry Poppins.
I just realized that he finds some magnificient friends and never sees them again. Now this story seems so sad. A kid finds some friends and discovers santa is real only to wake up and never see them again...
PyromancerPsycho 7 he knows Billy’s address tho. Can go look him up
@@pathowgate2544 Omg I never thought of that!
What about the girl
@@crazyfire9470 Probably the same city as well. In fact a lot of the kids on the polar express were probably from the same city/state (evidence being when like half of the kids jumped up when the know-it-all yelled "Herpolshimers!" which was a department store in Michigan)
@@pathowgate2544 Yeah but imagine that is a dream, if it is a dream, the adress could be an imagination of many imaginations there are in the film.
When I saw the polar express in theater I instantly knew it was going to be a christmas classic shown for years.
Favorite Christmas movie lol
One of my favorites too!
The letter with the bell made it confirmed not really be a dream
As I read in another video about this movie, this movie is like someone pointing a gun at your head forcing you to believe in Santa
Loved this theory!!
P.s The christmas mickey's in the background are so cool!
Maybe it all was real, and the bell is just a reminder that he shouldn't forget it and deny it, no matter how much it looked like a dream
Exactly
This video is amazing, Isaac! The Polar Express is one of my favourite movies of all time and defenitly my favourite Christmas movie! For me the Polar Express journey happened in the boy's head, but that doesn't make it less real. Everything he experienced still ment something to him and formed his opinion of believing in Santa, and for me that's why he has the bell: it was real, even if in another dimension (his dreams). I think this topic was really well explored and I just really really enjoy your videos (even though I might not comment much... sorry!) :)
Also do you know in Chicago they have a polar express musical train ride. You should come check it out next year!
I didn’t think it was a dream, it was real. That bell that the boy lost and got in a present at the end was proof of that.
I watch this every year on Christmas Eve and it is just as good every time
I too have questioned the realness of the Hero Boy's journey. While during my most recent watch of the movie, I was trying to think of who the hobo and conductor really could be. My first theory when recently watching it, was that this whole movie was maybe a physical/watchable timeline for any of these three unknown men (Hero Boy, the hobo, and the conductor). I also was thinking that maybe the hobo could have been a spirit or maybe even the spirit of the Polar Express itself.
Finally a video about this!
I'm glad I could bring this to you!
That bell and the train its self Are characters in thier own way
I've found the dream theory particularly convincing, especially with the time standing still. There's just too much evidence of that for me to not believe that.
As for the bell on Christmas morning, it's possible that the boy wanted a bell from "Santa" at the mall or in a letter in the first place. The parents acting like they did not know what he wanted from Santa is pretty common. Parents always act surprised with their kids even though they really are not. He may have originally wanted one of the bells from Santa's sleigh as a test to see whether Santa was real or not. If he was real, then Santa would be able to deliver such a special kind of bell from his sleigh, proving the sleigh was real and hence Santa being the deliverer. If not, then Santa's existence would be dubious if he could not deliver such a simple gift, and those giving him presents in the name of Santa would be his dad (notice his Santa hat after tucking in Sarah) conning him.
That's a thought anyway.
Neil D'Alessandro
I had the same thought. And the parents would have pretended not to hear the bell so they could try to keep the magic going for their son.
But there's a big flaw in that theory. His sister could hear the bell, but then he goes on to say that it eventually fell silent for her.
So what reason would his sister have to pretend to not hear it anymore?
But what about the note? If this was the case then his parents couldn't have known about him tearing his pocket since in their time it wouldn't have happened until that morning
He did not write a letter to santa, the conductor says it when they first meet, so it was kind of a dream dimension but it all happened for real, the bell beeing the prove that Santa gave him, only when he did choose to believe
Great video, but one thing you said bothered me a bit. You mentioned how the rip in his robe was evidence that it was a dream. But when it rips the first time, he can only get two fingers through, which is shown several times. And when he then rips it later, the hole is huge and his entire hand fits in. Like it got ripped even more
I noticed that too. And for me, that means the whole thing was real.
Whether or not the movie was a dream, I always wanted the film's depiction of the North Pole to become reality at a Disney theme park. The red brick buildings in a clean, yet Industrial Revolution style always felt like perfect candidates for show building facades. Imagine a runaway caboose roller coaster! Or a Polar Express train like the Hogwarts Express at Universal! I think the limiting factor is that while the Harry Potter franchise encompasses all seasons, The Polar Express is narrowly aligned with the winter season (and specifically Christmas), making it unsuitable for a year-round theme park land, destination, or attraction. Still, I can dream, even if this idea isn't reality.
I have my own theory that when The Conductor slipped and fell in the past-in the story he was telling the main character as they were going across the roof-I think that The Christmas Spirit (The Hobo Ghost) saved him.
Yeah, Wotso Videos are the best!!!
Thank you!! I'm happy you enjoy them! Thanks for watching!
That one hobo/ghost freaked me out as a kid.
Maybe the parents couldn't hear the bell because younger people hear high frequency better, his sister could hear it to remember
I loved this book so much as a kid. I never knew why I connected to it so much
Did you know that I liked The Polar Express and that The Polar Express turned out to be my top favorite main reason why I like to see trains outside my gang of windows?
With your ideas in mind, the Hero Boy believes that it was not a dream because when Billy asks him if all of this could be a dream, he says no. Great theory!
PLEASE DO A DISNEY PRINCE WEEK like prince Phillip and the prince of beauty and the beast
I hope you manage to make another video on The Polar Express this year. I love this movie and watch it every year during the Christmas Season.
I think that it could have been a dream, but It could of been real to.
Merry Christmas Issac! Polar Express is also one of my favorite holiday films also.
I love this movie and I thought it always took place in real time that was meddled with by magic. I never thought it was a dream. I also always used to find myself humming or even singing the "Hot Chocolate Song" from the movie. I haven't watched it in years.
When he pretended to fall asleep, he accidentally fell asleep.
I just went on the ride and it was awesome I loved it😀
There's a ride? Is it in Universal??
Wotso Videos no it's in Texas
Palisine tx to be exact
I think the movie is a dream the boy has but one caused by magic. I've heard something about how dreams can all take place in a really short amount of time. Like several hours could pass in a dream but in real life its only been a few minutes. I think something like this could be happening in the movie as shown by time "stopping" when the boy's adventure starts.
This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. And it helped revive the spirit in me in a time I really needed some magic. No matter how many times I've seen Polar Express. I always watch it when it's on. It always makes me feel like theres really some kind of magic on the world.
"Of course it's happening inside your head, but why on earth does that mean it is not real?" 💕
The original writer of the polar express based the story on a dream he had as a child on xmas eve. I believe the original story was a dream but the movie, not so much due to that last part. They likely included that end part because an audience finds it unsatisfactory if its the 'it was all just a dream' scenario
Yasss!! I'm in chorus at school and we sang believe, the outro song!!! This movie is soooo good!
Hi isaac happy holiday nice vids as always
Happy holidays to you too! Thank you for the support. Thanks for watching!
I think it was a dream because the hole in the pocket was alittle bigger in the end then the one in the beginning
I JUST WATCHED THIS MOVIE, illuminate confirmed (also love your theories 💜)
power girl duh duh duhhhhh
Dang! What a coincidence! Glad you enjoy them!
I have so many memories from this movie. ☺💕 One of the best Christmas movies ever! Thanks Isaac for this video!
I remember watching this movie at school in the library
We didn't get to finish watching the movie though ;w;
8:35 i mean you can see where the train went through the snow so um
That’s the sidewalk, not train tracks
Love the video! This still bugs me to this day. I watched this movie so long ago when I was little. It still is one of my favorite Christmas movies. And to this day I don't know if I believe it was real... or a dream. My inner child says it was real, while me being a cynical adult says it's a dream. Ah...The continuous Polar Express Conundrum.
Thank you for the video! Happy Holidays everyone! 😁
I'm kind of going off the idea that Santa just knew what he was dreaming about and just decided to confirm it with him that being what his dream was very important to him..... I mean come on a guy with that much magic who can see all the children of the world couldn't really? see their dreams....I don't think that's that far off to imagine
I lost my Christmas magic this year... rip my childhood. ;-;
I suppose we all have our...crucial year so to speak. I had a interesting experience many years ago one Christmas Eve.... I'm not sure if it was really but it did change me to say the least.
Reasons why it’s implied to have been a dream:
1. When Hero Boy falls asleep before the train comes, the clock stops ticking, implying that he is now asleep.
2. Nobody except Hero Boy hears the train coming, nor does anybody notice him gone.
3. The events would’ve killed him, like the roller coaster part
4. When he wakes up Christmas morning, he rips the same pocket, and marbles come out, marbles could not have come out of the same pocket if it was already ripped.
5. When he looks out the window, there are no train tracks, and only cars in the road.
So, in conclusion, this movie was just him dreaming
So, you CAN do Non-Disney movies. Can you?
I can. Just has to be the right movie. :D Thanks for watching!
WotsoVideos What do you mean “the right movie”?
This movie came out four days before I was born, and I guess I grew up with it, I watched this movie even in the middle of the summer, I love it dearly to this day
it is entirely possible for the time line being reset or it being an out of body experience
Out of body experience. That's it!
"See ya" I died 😂😂😂
very well done on giving this explanation. i never thought of it that way until you explained it.
My favorite Halliday Movie 🎥 is how the grinch stole Christmas 🎄
I love this channel! 💓
I loved this video merry Christmas wotso videos
I think it’s a dream, reason being is because of many things, for one, the fact the polar express literally came down his suburban street. For two, the changes in the train itself given to the situation, such as the connection of the last car and the main car turning from an inside train connector, to a scary Icy one, with almost no way to get from car to car. Also the changing of the size, speed, and capability of the train. The cars going from what seems like never ending in the first appearance, to 5 cars, to 19 cars, back to 5. The massive locomotive going what seems like Mach 1 on very small tracks, the train drifting on an icy river. The setting is also dreamy, being that it’s so snowy in some places that you literally can’t see anything whatsoever. With all this in mind, + more I haven’t listed, I believe the polar express is a story told by the hero boy to his child of a dream he had many a year ago.
NO IT CAN'T BE A DREAM 😭💕
KiercyLou 7 It is no Dream. How did he get the bell. Santa's note says he found the bell on his sleigh. So it is no Dream. If it was then santa will be in his mind and the bell won't ring for him because he will just think it was a dream. So it is no Dream.
But the bell fell on the sleigh because of the ripped robe. If the next morning the robe ripped again then how could’ve the bell fell to begin with? Maybe it’s Christmas magic.
Well some dreams can predict future or like things in dreams are things that may happen in the future and when you wake up then things kinda roll the same you'll feel as if it were real
if this was just a dream, how did he wake up and get the bell he lost from his pocket
The dream was a gift from Santa, along with the bell. That's the only explanation that fixes the intentionally-written Christmas contraction, the same contradiction that underpins all faith. Beautiful movie and masterful story.
I remember seeing the movie when I was a little kid in school they played it every yyear but now at the age of 22 going on 23 i feel like that the boy had to be dreaming because how come the train didn't wake up the whole street and how come only the boy could hear it the answer it was all a dream the only thing i can't explain is the bell at the very end other than that i say he was dreaming the whole thing up i just don't know how to explain the bell at the end
Lol the fact that we dont know if what happen was real or a dream is the same plot in the movie of itself 😂