A Retrospective of Thomas & Friends DVDs of 2016

As we end another year, we take a look back at the DVDs that were released during the course of 2016. But first:

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE.

SOME OPINIONS MAY HAVE CHANGED DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR

A RETROSPECTIVE OF THOMAS & FRIENDS

DVDS OF 2016

START YOUR ENGINES!

Review Date: 2/03/16

Rating: 8/10

I still think this did better than 'Spills and Thrills' and 'Dinos and Discoveries'. There are stories that don't feel they are the same with the 'character vs. character' plot line and give out different plot lines like about being who you are in your own right. However, I still find 'Race With You' a meh song and it's sad that Robert and Peter Hartshorne had left the series last year. So who would be the songwriters now? EggPlant aren't really the best at writing songs, not I'm not talking about the fruit. 

I love Philip and his persona but the debut episodes he was given was not entirely good, at the end. I hate how he broke his promise to the Fat Controller that he won't race around again but decided to have a race with Gordon anyway was not punished for it. It would've been better if say Philip loves to race and dreams of racing around Sodor, like Thomas wanting to see the world, but after 'racing' Gordon, the Fat Controller scolded him for neglecting his work. Maybe the writers don't want to show TFC as a harsh person so they wouldn't get the 'communist' tag from the 'journalists',  but when it comes to tell kids the message, they have to show TFC's harsh side to understand the consequences. 

WHALE OF A TALE & 

OTHER SODOR ADVENTURES

Review Date: 30/05/16

Rating: 6.5/10

One year after the US got it as a Wal*Mart exclusive. It's pretty much the same as the US' except for the Mr. Perkins intervals and 'Salty All at Sea' as an extra episode. I'm glad that HIT didn't forget about them (Perkins) as they are entertaining to watch with him reading out the Railway Series stories, but they were released before in the UK version of 'Trouble on the Tracks' last year along with the intervals that were in the US copy. It would've been much better if they had just delete them and given us a new 'Landmarks of Sodor' interval. 

The only difference this DVD has compare to the US copy is that 'Salty All at Sea' was added. But if this were released like the US copy it would've been pointless to release one year after it was released over in the US considering that the episodes are already on YT or stream demand websites after their TV run. But considering that 'The Great Race' was scheduled one week after the UK and Australia releases their version, I hope HIT keeps this up with the generic releases and episode exclusive copies as well.

THE COMPLETE SERIES 17

Review Date: 27/07/16

Rating: 9/10

Ever since 2013/14 I had enjoyed Season 17 with its writing and animation and now three years later after seeing a collection of episodes banded together of a new era from Brenner and Co. this season is still great to watch. It may as well be dated considering the mass amount of upgrading that Arc Productions did in the next two seasons and specials, but there are memorable episodes to this day such as 'Thomas' Shortcut', 'Gone Fishing' etc. there are some bumps here and there and some episodes that I considered as my least favourite are still worthy of a watch. 

WILD WATER RESCUE & 
OTHER ENGINE ADVENTURES

Review Date: 28/08/16

Rating: 3/10

I decided to give this one a proper review back in August and looking back at this 'exclusive' release, this was an entirely pointless release from Target all to promote a Trackmaster train set for the titled episode. This is 'Big Bang Surprise' but with a S19 episode. The title episode wasn't the best but in comparison to the ones its released alongside with, It is the only bearable episode to watch. There are good segments but it's still a pointless release and it could've been better as a barebones release with just the one episode, maybe a trailer for the 2015 special and maybe a Guess Who puzzle with the Trackmaster set.

THE GREAT RACE

Review Date: 5/09/16

Rating: 6/10

It had flaws such as Diesel's subplot, Thomas' bridge jump and the redundancy of Vinnie as the antagonist. But it provide good songs and a relatable moral. Although in comparison it didn't beat the likes of 'Sodor's Legend of The Lost Treasure' but within a 60min limit there probably would've been great potential if HIT and Mattel had expand the time limit to 1hr rather than 60 minutes, but that's not the main problem though. It would've been better if the special was focused on Percy and the moral about losing is OK as long as you tried your best or, probably better, Gordon trying to better than his brother! It could've easily worked on the jealously that has towards his brother, Flying Scotsman. The actual plot within Diesel's clunky subplot had used the overused 'Steamies Vs. Diesel' plot line all for Thomas' crash with no pay off and the hype for the international engines was very underwhelming and I feel it didn't brace the multicultural side of the story that media had been pointing out. It's OK, I don't even hate it, but it had missed opportunities and the movie didn't fit for a character like Thomas.

TINSEL ON THE TRACK

 Review Date: 12/10/16
Rating: 9/10

Probably this DVD had the best Christmas episodes to date. I love the episodes that were made for S20 as they were so creative with great storytelling, characterisation and amazing visuals. It's hard to choose a favourite as Helen Farrall & Davey Moore had both written brilliant episodes. It's also great that they had released three episodes for 'Thomas' Christmas Carol' and 'Full Steam To The Rescue' over in the UK as well.

FULL STEAM TO THE RESCUE

Review Date: 4/11/16
Rating: 7/10

This DVD has the last remaining Thomas episodes from the 19th season and of course they are still a hit and miss to me. However there were two episodes from 20th season that are the Christmas ones and I think they are on the scale from OK to great. However I think the UK releases should be edited in the same way as the US releases. Have the intro, episode, interval, rinse and repeat and then credits as what they do now currently feels a bit awkward. 



ULTIMATE FRIENDSHIP ADVENTURE

Review Date: 3/11/16
Rating: 7/10

It's a surprise to see that this was the only episodic release that has no special features which kinda makes me believe that this felt it was like a last minute addition or maybe they didn't have any intervals or special features at the time, yet last year they had placed previous ones from 'Santa's Little Engine' US DVD on last year's 'generic release'. Despite that there were some good and not so good episodes on this DVD. I'm sure everyone knows that I'm not a fan of some season 19 episodes that were placed on here but there are some good one from that season too, at least in my opinion and there are some good ones from season 20 as well. 

It's a simple DVD with ten episodes and that's pretty much it as there are no intervals and special bonus. There were some good episodes and some, in my opinion, that are not so good. But despite that it was a fine DVD.

---

And so we now come to the end of 2016. What's next for Thomas in 2017? Well there is the upcoming 21st season, now all animated by Jam Filled Productions who bought out Arc Productions back in August 2016 and thankfully with the staff that were part of the former animation studio. There is also the upcoming yearly special 'Journey Beyond Sodor' for the first time being a 70min special. We know little about the plot but not much of its outcome but we know it's about friendship focusing on James and Thomas and some experimental engines. 

There is also the upcoming new character, Hugo, for next year's Spring/Autumn DVD 'Extraordinary Engines'. So to conclude this post I like to wish everyone a happy and safe 2017 and hope you have a great future ahead of you.

-NWR1991

DVD Review: The Complete Series 17

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THE COMPLETE 17TH SERIES

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Lee Pressman

Davey Moore

Paul Larson & Laura Beaumont

Directed by

David Baas

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Halim Jabbour (HIT)

Episodes
Steamie Stafford
Gordon Runs Dry
The Lost Puff
Scruff's Makeover
Too Many Fire Engines
Calm Down Caitlin
Wayward Winston
No More Mr. Nice Engine
Away From The Sea
Thomas' Shortcut
The Smelly Kipper
Gone Fishing
The Afternoon Tea Express
Henry's Hero
Luke's New Friend
The Switch
Not Now, Charlie
The Thomas Way
The Phantom Express
The Frozen Turntable
Percy's Lucky Day
No Snow For Thomas
Bill or Ben?
The Missing Christmas Decorations
Santa's Little Engine

Special Features

N/A

Release Date

18/07/16

Distributed by
HIT Entertainment

So after years of waiting since 2013, Series 17 is finally given its own complete collection in the UK! After Nitrogen Studios had done their work on Thomas & Friends between 2009-2012, Arc Productions took over, after Nitrogen had respectfully decline to work more on Thomas as they were focusing on other work.

Now with a new production and animation team expanding more of the Thomas world, does Series 17 still hold up since it was first broadcasted in 2013? Well let's find out!

EPISODES + OVERALL

The DVD is a consist of 26 episodes on two discs, first time for any Thomas DVD in the UK, of the 17th season. I remember back in 2014, when they had released the first 'tent pole' DVD of episodes that were all exclusive to 'Spills and Thrills' that Season 17 had brought a major upgrade of its writing after eight-nine years of the other production team's work of the show between S9-16.

The writing of the show makes them feel like stories again with a beginning, middle and end rather than a formula like what the Miller/Barlow era did where it's like 'engine of the day, job of the day, wanting to do something more special, strike 1, 2, 3, gets scolded at, feels guilty, have a spare one despite not bringing it just incase but have no time to get it anyway, put things right and giggle and jiggle'. Once you've seen that structure you seen them all! There are three strikes in the episodes from this season as well. But the three strikes used in these episodes blend in well with the stories and there are times where the three strikes was never even used. Some of the episodes can be a bit dull but still worthy of a watch, mostly for younger kids. 'Steamie Stafford' is something that I think preschoolers will enjoy and the stories are understandable too. 

Probably one of my least favourites was 'The Smelly Kipper' as it had Percy being scared of the dark in the beginning but it never really add much to the story. It could've instead been James boasting about how terrible for an engine like him to pull The Flying Kipper and keep that Percy intro for 'The Phantom Express' sure it's about bravery but given in the context for how the way Henry says Íf you're so brave James...' Henry could be either referring to James that if he was brave he could pull the Kipper but he just chickened out or brave to face the night. But despite that it was decent as their was some effort put into that story.

But probably one of my favourites is 'Not Now, Charlie'. The story has a 'boy who cried wolf' feeling towards it with Charlie constantly making jokes until he saw something that was serious but to the others it was just another joke. It had brought some character development from him. Although the ending was not well received with Charlie deciding not to make any more jokes but it didn't last long. To me I like that ending as not everyone can change overnight. It's like if something had a grudge on someone and then the next day they are OK with the person again. 'Old habits die hard'. The only thing I'm critical about is Charlie's jokes they are meh but I think it could do some better work but then again comedy is subjective. 

One thing I notice through the progression of this season is that the episodes started of as simple slice of life stories like 'Steamie Stafford', 'Gordon Runs Dry' etc. but as the season progress on they got more entertaining and fun to watch. Their are some bumps within the stories like 'The Lost Puff It was a good episode but can get a bit plain as it plays on. 

The animation and sets were very simple but with some rather over the top lighting. But let's be honest this was their first time animating the series and had many mistakes in the episodes, although they did manage to fix up the brake van stuff in 'Luke's New Friend' in The Thomas Way DVD, although HIT put in the one with the standard gauge brake van. It amazes me though that over the years Arc Productions had improved with their animation and it shows in S19 and the two specials that were released last year with the shine and glimmer. It's also great how they had redesigned the sets too such as Knapford station. In this season it was simple and to be honest, a bit bland. 

It feels empty to see the station not busy unlike today's episodes so it's great to see them improving their great skill over the years. Although I wish HIT Entertainment had released these episodes on Blu-Ray as the animation by Arc Productions are so worthy to look at in 1080p.

I still stand by my opinion that Mark Moraghan was the best choice to make for the storyteller switch. Angelis, in my opinion, was one of the best narrators that the show had, between S3-6 where he sounds enthusiastic and was well into telling the stories. But he later progressed on to be dull and boring and never really gave a distinct voice for the characters around the new era as they all pretty much sound the same. Moraghan has that friendly but enthusiastic voice when it comes to his narration and his tones were very good for kids to understand the situation in the stories and he had gotten better over the years too.

In the end S17 was really a well done and greatly improved season, it has a few bumps but the episode that are considered my least favourite I can at least give it a watch. They have good morals in the end and don't contradict themselves. I recommend buying the DVD considering with Brexit, the DVD itself cost me, on Amazon UK, $8.74 AUD and with 26 episodes that are written with good quality, it's a worthy item to get. Although if you're outside of the UK I recommend looking at your region code, considering some people on Amazon had bought an American DVD and tried to play it on their non-US DVD player, seriously there is a reason why Amazon has a product description.

OVERALL RATING
9/10

COMING SOON IS 
'THE GREAT RACE' REVIEW
OUT ON SEPTEMBER 7TH 2016

DVD Review: Railway Mischief

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

RAILWAY MISCHIEF

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Laura Beaumont and Paul Larson

Lee Pressman

Davey Moore

Episodes

- Gordon Runs Dry

- Kevin's Cranky Friend

- Scruff's Makeover

- Wayward Winston

- Steamie Stafford

- Bill or Ben?

- Not Now, Charlie!

Special Features

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Haliam Jabbour & Ian McCue (HIT)

Release Date

29/06/15

In April 2013, Wal*Mart and HIT Entertainment in the United States, had exclusively released five unreleased S17 episodes before it's television debut later that year internationally. Now after two years the UK get there copy of the DVD. At the time some fans were worried by the titles as we were just getting out of the Sam Barlow era of the series and it was popular among older fans. 

EPISODES

The episodes featured are from the 17th season of Thomas & Friends, completing all S17 episodic releases. Looking back at the episodes from 2013, it amazes me how much had Arc Productions, the people behind the animation of Thomas and Friends, had improved with stuff like the settings, lighting and animation. Looking at scenes like Knapford station in the episodes, I don't even like the lack of activity that they've made compare to what is now. The station now feels like an actual railway station with a station announcer, people chatting and engines puffing about. Plus the expansion of it all with points and signals gantries now really adds total character on it being a railway station unlike what is was shown in the episodes here, just showing the comparison of how much Arc had improved the series so well done to them! 

It also amazes me how the stories improved too. Davey Moore says in an interview for the TTTE Wikia that they look back at previous episodes and specials and see how they should make it better the them, which indeed the writing team are doing an excellent job at trying to make it more entertaining. The episodes are a good choice and do add some theme towards the DVD title. I especially like 'Not Now, Charlie'. Sure he may as well be an annoying character, how the way he was handled during S13-16 with poor jokes, but to me the episode is such an major improvement on his character. He knew what he did was wrong and sure some people may not like the ending of it but I see it as 'Old habits die hard'. Sure jokes need some improvement but I rather find a joke about pirates to be funny compare to his joke/riddle about a table. 

Episodes like 'Steamie Stafford' though, while it has a good moral about being yourself, it's not the best after seeing more of the 17th season. The other episodes are good and I still love 'Gordon Runs Dry' and the last two episodes. 'Wayward Winston', 'Kevin's Cranky Friend and 'Scruff's Makeover' are OK in the my books.

SPECIAL FEATURES

I love the choice of the Railway Series story for the DVD of the Mr. Perkins segments, 'Thomas' Train' and the wonderful illustrations for it too. Looking at her design of Dalby's Thomas reminds me of the illustrations from the 1985 annual. Although looking at Henry with the colour green in one of the picture just felt a little bit off and I understand that they change the colour so that the young audience recognise who the character is, although since Henry had been his new shape for three decades now you think they may've drew a whole new picture in his new shape? But I'm not too upset by that. The postcard segment is about Brendam Docks as well and I have to it's much better then what was done for the quarry from 'Trouble on the Tracks' as it was more about the location rather then who is who. 

Their's not one but two segments for 'Calling All Engines!' which are Spencer and Stafford and Hiro and Flynn. They are the usual segments about who and what are the characters and some mentions like Pullman coaches intrigued me, maybe they should create an episode about Pullman coaches? It worked with the slip coaches. 

'Who's That Engine' features Edward and the episode they explain is 'Edward the Hero', sure there are better choices, like 'Old Reliable Edward', but the S15 episode was a decent one looking back at it. There is also a trailer once again for 'Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure', which is coming out next week in the UK at some VUE cinemas. However I feel that it was missed opportunity for HIT to advertise for 'The Adventure Begins'. The DVD was suppose to come out in April only at ASDA but due to an unknown reason, it was pushed towards July 27th and the only way to see it is through 'Dinos and Discoveries' that came out in Feb 2015. But the trailer will still have the words 'COMING SOON'. ASDA and HIT needs to work on their advertising for the special if they want it to sell it. It has already been commissioned by the BBFC last week. Hopefully the UK Thomas and Friends YouTube page upload a trailer.   

OVERALL

This is a much more better DVD then the S16 compilation DVD, despite it that it took two years to be released on British shores. There are some good episodes that actually feel like stories rather then a formulated plot (S9-16), although the latter stories are much better (S18-19) but these are good to start with and are enjoyable. 

Rating: 8/10

DVD Review: Spills and Thrills

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

SPILLS AND THRILLS

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Laura Beaumont and Paul Larson
Sharon Miller

Directed by

David Baas
Greg Tiernan 

Produced by

Robert Anderson and Halim Jabbour
Nicole Stinn

Episodes

- The Smelly Kipper

- The Afternoon Tea Express

- Away From The Sea

- No More Mr. Nice Engine 

- Gone Fishing 
- Jitter and Japes (AUS)
- Thomas' Shortcut (UK/US)
- The Thomas Way (iTunes Australia release)

Distributed by
ABC/HIT Entertainment

Release Date
5/3/14

EPISODES

First off I don't know why ABC had replaced 'Thomas' Shorcut', probably one of the best episodes of the 17th season, with a generic and bland episode like 'Jitter and Japes' the episode is OK but it's not great, but that's no excuse for such a move to replace it against an episode that is regarded as a 'modern classic'. The iTunes release here in Australia had released 'The Thomas Way' and I would've gladly accept that as the replacement episode for the DVD instead of that S14 episode. However I'm glad that the five episodes from the 17th season were there and some are worth watching. Incase you're wondering no 'Jitter and Japes' wasn't narrated by Mark Moraghan, even if that happened it would never improve anything as the script is still the same from 2010. But I don't approve the deletion of the segments that were shown at the cinemas two months ago and it gives the words 'false advertising' towards there customers. My views on these episodes will be released later, in the meantime you can have a look at my views on the S14 episode and the iTunes released episode.  

OVERALL

In January 2014, ABC and Hoyts had played a different version of the DVD to the Australian audience. Hoyts had played the one with Mr. Perkins, Who's that Engine etc. that UK and American audience get. I thought Australia would finally get those after three years of having CGI releases being individual episode with no special segments. Unfortunately this the same as the rest of the DVD releases that Australia had gotten. ABC had tampered with the DVD with the new and improved segments being cut out and the replacement of 'Thomas' Shorcut' with a generic and bland S14 episode that it left me disappointed. But on the plus side, the five S17 episodes were worth it and iTunes had replaced 'Thomas' Shortcut' with 'The Thomas Way', another great S17 episode, which I would gladly accept as the replacement episode instead of 'Jitter and Japes' on the DVD. In the end the ABC had false advertised their customers with the special preview of the DVD at the cinemas in January and if they are reading this I think next time when they release Thomas DVDs they should stick with what the UK had released with the segments and no replacement of the sixth episode. The UK and US DVDs have released the episodes in the same way and they have never tampered with theirs, minus America having their CGI releases in 4:3 screen ratio, though they are improving now with 16:9 widescreen. 

Rating: 3.5/5