Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is the latest Thomas & Friends DVD to hit the shelves. Naturally, we had to add it to the kid's ever-growing list of Thomas DVDs.
It's another in CGI format. Perhaps it's just me, but I'm a bit nostalgic for the old voiced-over models. Something has been lost in the switchover to computerized graphics -- an innocence, perhaps?
Mr Perkins makes another appearance as the live-action host. I give him 2-thumbs up for his performance. He seems to be much more energetic and excited to be there -- unlike some of his earlier performances. In "Creaky Cranky", he is preparing the Engine Driver's Locker Room for Mr Arkwright's birthday party. (Sadly, Mr Arkwright doesn't make an appearance.) Mr Perkins teaches us a new game -- Pin the Funnel on Percy -- and paints a big birthday card with James on it. And, of course, there is the requisite phone call from Sir Topham Hatt.
The title episode "Creaky Cranky" pits Thomas in a contest of strength with Cranky the Crane. I like Cranky's voice! It has a "New York Docks" inflection and "Teamster" attitude. Unfortunately, my 2.5-year old son got scared by Cranky in CGI, and watched the rest of the DVD from a safe place behind the kitchen door frame. Spooky, I guess!
In "Tickled Pink", James lives every boy's nightmare -- having to wear pink clothes! It has a happy ending though (James gets the girls. I won't spoil it for you.). "Steamy Sodor" puts Thomas in charge of the Sodor Steamworks for a day -- with the predictable outcome. The look on Victor's face is priceless! And, finally, in "Early Bird", Thomas gets to deliver the mail -- not so quietly, in fact.
There is one complaint I have with the new DVDs -- "Creaky Cranky" not excluded. It's the constant apologizing. Thomas says he's "Sorry" at least 50 times in this DVD. I hate to be political -- anti-politically correct, actually -- but are we teaching our kids to become apologists? They don't need to say "Sorry!" all of the time! Just my view.
On the whole, it's an average Thomas DVD. It may buy you a few moments of quiet.
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Thomas and his friends deliver cargo-loads of fun in this collection of uplifting episodes! Ride along as Thomas helps to deliver mail, mend engines, and prepare for the Spring Party on the Island of Sodor. Watch as Thomas learns that it pays to listen to advice, there's more to a train than its undercoat, and that sometimes it takes a team of friends to reach your true destination.
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