Thursday 16 February 2012

S16 Ep. 1 Race To The Rescue

It's a brand new year for Thomas and Friends as Series 16 is on air in Australia now and will be in the UK on February 20th. This will be the last season to be made by Nitrogen Studios, a Canadian animated company led by Railway Series fan, Greg Tirenan. The reason why this is the last series to be produced by them is explained here. However, this would also be the last season for head writer Sharon Miller who, last year, was stepped down as head writer. So from February - March, there will be Season 16 episodes and today, our first one is...

RACE TO THE RESCUE
(Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for the picture)

Written by Sharon Miller
Directed by Greg Tirenan
Produced by Nicole Stinn
Air Date: 16/2/2012

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


THESE MAY CONTAINS SPOILERS.


PLOT:
It's Flynn the fire engine's first day on the road. His wheels are fixed by Victor and now he can run on road instead of rails. But he is not too happy.

PROS:
- Another episode which Thomas does not get a lead role, but few scenes at the beginning and end.
- This episodes focuses on some road vehicles needing help such as Bertie, Butch and, of course, Flynn.
- We finally get to see Flynn on the road for the first time.
- No rhyming, repetition and three strikes, this was only two strikes. 

CONS:
- Flynn bumping and rolling on soft road makes him feel like he never went on the roads, I know he said he haven't been on the road for a while, but he should at least know the experience by now, but that's just me saying this.




Well at first, I had a 50/50 feeling when I saw the title, but it left me a bit impressed of the how the episode went. Some people say the plot was a bit like 'Fiery Flynn' and trust me, this episode beats the Season 15 episode out of the water. It definitely beat other CGI opening episode such as 'Creaky Cranky', 'Thomas' Tall Friend' and 'Gordon and Ferdinand'.

Rating: 4/5 - It's good, but it does need some work, but trust me this is better than 'Fiery Flynn'.

Tomorrow: Ol' Wheezy Wobbles

Cheers ;)