Genres

Visitors Review

2013-06-17 17:47:17

A charmer for the little folks

This movie was my 3 year old son's first cinematic experience, and he loved it! When the trains first came onscreen, he was excitedly shouting out their names, and he was thrilled by the escapades of Thomas, Lady, and their nemesis Diesel 10. Even the 11 and 14 year old boys who came along with us enjoyed the movie. For those parents whose preschool boys have not discovered the lure of the Island of Sodor, this is a good opportunity to experience it. By the way, the stories on videotape, narrated by the likes of George Carlin and Ringo Starr are also tremendous, with their charming characters, positive storylines, and gentle sense of humor -- and tolerable for the parents to sit through repeated viewings with their little ones (a wonderful alternative to the sickeningly sweet carrying-on of Barney and the like). Enjoy!

cdietz94-667-599244 2013-06-17 10:29:12

Good, but flawed

I've loved Thomas since I was a kid and I don't know why the movie getsa bad reputation. The music and Peter Fonda's acting are worthy of anAcademy Award. But there are some flaws. First of all how does Thomasget to the coal car? There's only one track! And second where iseveryone? The island looks like the rapture happened everyone'sdisappeared. Many of the characters: Edward, Duck, Mavis, Donold,Douglas, the narrow gauge engines etc. are absent! So as I said, good but flawed. I still don't understand why so manypeople hated this movie. It is and will always be a childhood favoritethat I will pass on to my children.

awheeler-2 2013-06-16 21:48:06

Thomas movie for Thomas fans

We just watched this movie with our two sons, age 4 and 2. Yes, the movieisdull, the story line convoluted, and what the heck is wrong with PeterFonda?But...this is a movie that is made for Thomas fans. A lot of the backgroundis from the videos and the books and the Shining Time Station show. Many ofthe quirks that viewers are finding annoying (like the fact that theenginesdon't move their mouths when they talk) are basic to the Thomas videos. Soif you aren't a Thomas fan you won't "get" it - but my sons sure did. Theyloved the movie and couldn't wait to build tracks to act out thestory.Bottom line, if you are older than 5 years old, or your kid isn't intoThomas, don't waste the money. Otherwise, it is a greatinvestment

2013-06-16 12:02:13

Aweful acting but the kids love it.

I find this movie difficult to watch as the scripting and acting is horrible but my kids love it. I wonder whether it was more the director who made the actors deliver their lines like robots as these actors usually are better than this. The Thomas fan will love it....the parent won't.

lissie_g78 2013-06-13 22:56:53

my son loves it!

OK, so the acting isn't great. The script is poor. The special effectsare terrible, but this is a film for kids. Adults can't make accuratecomments on this, because we KNOW engines don't talk and shiny timeisn't real.My 3yr old acts out scenes from this film over and over again. He tellsme that lady carries magic and diesel 10 is bad. And therein lies thebeauty of this film. It captures a child's imagination. If you want towatch a masterpiece then don't watch an adaptation of a child's book,that 20 years ago you would have loved. Diesel 10 is a great villain,he's funny and evil at the same time, and there are enough engines and"in jokes" to keep most children amused for hours.

2013-06-13 10:43:05

How can something kids love so much be SO BAD?!

My 2-year-old loves this movie, and subjects us to it once a day. Normally I can overlook the bad parts of a child-oriented movie, but this one has SO MANY! I think the reason is has struck such a bad cord with me is that the other Thomas videos are so GOOD! I really have to say that Peter Fonda's performance in this move was just plain HORRIBLE! I mean, really, just BAD! The plot was terrible, and the cast (other than Baldwin, who tried really hard) held all the charm of manequins.For a 2-year-old child, this movie is fine. However, if you're a parent who will be forced to watch this move OVER and OVER and OVER again, PASS ON IT!

2013-06-12 22:55:42

Great

This review is from: Thomas and the Magic Railroad (DVD) My son has lines from this memorized! He absolutely loves it. It is live action which is a nice change from the show that airs on sprout. He can tell the difference and likes that Thomas interacts with "real people" in this film. Well done.

LindsayH 2013-06-12 17:11:29

stupid movie

is it over yet? can i go to the bathroom? how long is the movie? can we do something else?If you are wondering how i ended up watching this movie and complaining about it i'll tell you. I was forced to watch it with my little brother and 4 younger cousins so my mom could go shopping. oh my gosh it was stupid!

2013-06-12 04:38:00

Just really bad despite Alec Baldwin's best efforts

Alec Baldwin is the only bright spot in this dog. Well, okay, the trains are good, too, but there are far too little of them in the movie. Peter Fonda is just awful, and the plot is truly befuddling. Of course, my 3-year-old loves this movie so I'm forced to watch it a couple of times a month. It took several viewings for me to figure out that the Conductor and his cousin were Lilliputian unless they were on Sodor. What happened to Tasha? And what about that little bluebird? Why not make it turn into a real bird at the end? Don't let your kids watch this--they might like it and then you'll be stuck with it. The Best of Thomas is a much better choice!

2013-06-11 06:51:02

Nice movie !

This was a good movie it must of had a good director. I had to give all a+ and a gold star and a two thumbs up.

2013-06-11 09:34:50

Coma-Inducing!

Our two boys love this film; they love Thomas, trains, etc. No matter that the film does not make sense and is poorly made. We took them to see this in the theater and thought the misery would never end.The purpose of this video would be solely to entertain your little ones; and indeed it will. However, be prepared to suffer the agony of watching it over and over again. The writing is poor, the acting is terrible (including Peter Fonda, who seems to be sleep-walking through this role, and Alec Baldwin, who is capable of much better), and the story is impossible to follow and veers off into imponderable riddles. There is something to be said for mindless entertainment, but I would much rather my children watch something of quality which makes sense.If you can possibly avoid buying this for your children, do!

2013-06-10 18:42:34

Poorly written, there are better Thomas DVD's than this

I found this in the five dollar bin at Walmart, and figured it wouldn't be such a waste if I picked it up. I have two boys and they both love Thomas.This movie is mostly "live" adult actors, with Thomas and the other trains mixed in. I find there are way too many actors in this movie that do not add anything but make the storyline harder to follow for little ones. Diesel 10 is quite scary for my 2 year old. The acting is terrible and the storyline is just awful from an adult's point of view. However, my 5 year old does like to watch this from time to time.

MagnumPI 2013-06-10 07:56:36

"Cinders & Ashes!!! This movie STINKS!!!

Oh man, oh man! How anybody could take a wonderful children's characterlike Thomas and do this, must be guilty of some crime. I honestly believethat the Wayans' Bothers could have done a better job writing and directinga Thomas movie. (Then again, your kids would have to be 18 to see it.) Even Sir Topum Hat refused to make an appearance!!! Would somebody tell mewhy Peter Fonda's character was in such a deep state of depression??? Heacted like he was the one forced to sit through this slop!!! Don't get mewrong, the few parts with Thomas and the trains were great. Throw in AlecBaldwin and some other lousy actors with impromptu scripts and you have the"Magic Railroad." The only magic was the fact I managed to keep my popcorndown. Others here have stated this in much more eloquent and refined tones. Eloquent I am not. Ticked off I am. I demand a refund!!!

Robert 2013-06-09 19:00:46

The magic of childhood has come again

Those were the days were everyone was nice to you. Those were the dayswhere kids under 18 could travel by train across the Country withoutworry. Those days of happiness and joy. The cares of the worlddisappeared.I used to enjoy those days when I was 7-12. Now I'm 17 and I saw thisagain. Despite my new view to the movie, I still enjoyed the feeling ofinnocence. Why can't this innocence be sent to us when we are adults Idon't know why.The movie was great for it's time. Cheesy but still enjoyable. Sure,the actors weren't the best, but the way they interacted with both thescript and themselves made it worth it.And no swearing, kissing or sex! Amazing

2013-06-09 03:34:44

...could have been a lot better........

Right off the bat I have a complaint- It is absolutly stupid that the title character gets only what can be best refered to as a cameo.Are kids really going to like that? Get a clue. I didn't see any improvements over the TV program, either... IS IT SO HARD TO ANIMATE A TRAIN'S MOUTH!?!? The acting is just so-so. It looks like the actors sleepwalked through this, in paticular, Peter Fonda. Not to mention the villain- an odd looking bulldozer whachamahoozet. It's painfully obvious that, unlike the other wheeled characters, "Diesel 10" has no prototype. All in all a halfhearted atempt at a family flick that could have been dramatically better.

2013-06-08 18:38:15

Not as bad as I thought

When this movie came to the theaters I heard horrible things about it, mostly that it was too scary for children. I decided to purchase it anyway because my 2 year old LOVES Thomas and we watched it together. I was pleased that it wasn't scary for my son to watch but I was disappointed with the story line. I felt as if the script for this movie was written as they filmed this movie. However, I think only adults will notice all the things that don't make sense and the acting is pretty bad, except for Alec Baldwin and the voices for the trains. Little kids will love the Island of Sodor scenes with the trains. I was also disappointed with the message this movie gives. Yes, it is important to be really useful and helpful, but how about Peter Fonda being a little more worried that his Granddaughter has disappeared and then Alec Baldwin suggesting that maybe her Grandfather could guess where she was??? This gives a disappointing message. Overall, this movie is entertaining and not a total waste, I just hope if they make another movie they think about the plot and message a little more.

rberger 2013-06-07 18:45:51

A zero for me + a ten for my son=5

Abominable movie with horrible dialog, acting and miniatures. But itholds my 2-year old son's attention (More choo choo!). Sadly, I have tobalance his 10 with my 0 and get a 5. The previous reviewer said it bestabout how good it is with his children.

2013-06-07 07:06:13

For Very Young Thomas Fans

I could pick this movie apart, as many critics have, but I would ratherfocus on the positive. I took my 2 1/2 year old son to see this movie. Hesat there in his chair, not moving, for the entire film. I have never seenhim so engrossed in his life (literally). He loves the Thomas the TankEngine trains, movies, and books. He really enjoyed this movie and heseemed to respond to Alec Baldwin as the conductor. I doubt that a childover 5 or so would stay very interested as the plot is dificult to follow,but I really think that the less than 5 crowd that already enjoys Thomaswill have a great time. The movie looks good (large and bright) and thereare a lot of trains scenes, perfect for a small child.

2013-06-07 00:57:19

Thomas for the "older" boys

This review is from: Thomas and the Magic Railroad (DVD) This movie appeals to my 4 and 6 year old boys more than the other Thomas movies which they loved from 2-4 years old. The trains and the action seem so much more real to them in this movie.

2013-06-06 19:33:42

Terrible - Save your money!

Worst Thomas movie we have seen. My kids were yawning after 5 minutes and did not even make it through the first half. And of course communist Alec Baldwin is horrible, what a loser.