Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Latest train adventures are suspenseful but not too scary.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
What's the Story?
The construction of a Search and Rescue Center is underway on Sodor Island. Thomas and his friends are excited and working hard to help. When a mishap sends all of the precious Jobi wood needed for the building to the bottom of the sea, Thomas sets out to replace it. But Thomas, too, has a mishap and gets lost at sea. He washes ashore on a mysterious island where he meets three new friends: Bash, Dash, and Ferdinand, some very old, abandoned locomotives. Together they have an exciting adventure in an underground tunnel, and Thomas finds just what he was looking for.
Is It Any Good?
For fans of Thomas & Friends, this is standard fare and follows the formula that is well established. Thomas, the sturdy, likable steam engine, encounters a problem, and aided by his friends (both human and "transportational"), resolves it. There's just enough danger and suspense in this episode to make it interesting, and just enough warm-hearted familiarity to make it feel safe and not too scary. Life lessons are clearly stated and restated. In this case, the fact that "you can't always be right" is a valuable message for even the youngest viewer. The narrator (Michael Brandon) and the other voice artists succeed in energizing these well-known characters and making the story seem fresh despite its rather routine plotting. Check out the Misty Island Rescue phone app too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Thomas makes some very good decisions in this movie. What are some good decisions you've made?
Thomas admits to making some bad decisions, too. Have you ever made a bad decision? What did you learn from it?
How do the humans and trains work together? What are some things that are more fun or easier to do when you work with other people?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 7, 2010
- Cast: Michael Brandon
- Director: Greg Tiernan
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 58 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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