THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE
THREE CHEERS FOR THOMAS
Written by
Jan Page
Directed by
David Mitton
Air Date:
30/12/03
Plot:
It was the annual sports day and Thomas was dreaming about having a medal. Later, Thomas was having a race with Bertie. But the Fat Controller had stopped Thomas and told him that he left the medals behind in his office at the big station. Thomas raced away to get them and he took them to the sports arena right on time! The children awarded him a medal in the end.
PRO:
- Thomas and Bertie's race brings some nostalgia.
CON:
- Percy's stupidity about eggs and spoons races.
- Why was Thomas being cleaned at a station?
So we come to the final episode of the seventh series, which ends the classical era of the show with the likes of veterans such as the late David Mitton, Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell. The episode was good and of course have a simple story line. But of course, there are flaws such as Percy's stupidity. But I do like how they added another race between Thomas and Bertie, brings that sense of nostalgia towards the older fans who remember seeing the very early episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine.
Rating: 4/5
OVERALL
Despite the lack of railway terminology and some unrealistic moments, this series is another favourite of mine of the post-Awdry era. The stories are simple and some are memorable. But whether it be or not, I find it very enjoyable along with season six. I hope Andrew Brenner brings Series 17 at the same level of the two series. The music, enjoyable and memorable. I do have to say the sound effects of the whistles seems quiet for some engines like Emily, Donald and Douglas etc.
The characters, let me just say, the new characters such as Emily, Arthur, Spencer, Murdoch are very detailed towards their real life basis' I'm impressed with all the modelling skill that the people gave to these characters, particularly Murdoch and Arthur.
Michael Angelis' narration was great, giving it a gentle storytelling kind of voice and that what makes the series so memorable to me, they feel like stories that you can read to a child at bedtime. The younger audience will enjoy these episodes. As of the reception that Angelis got in the US from the VHS/DVD 'New Friends For Thomas' saying he sounds 'old' and 'horrible', I wonder why Ringo Starr didn't get that kind of reception with his voice when he did the show for the US audience? Probably because he was part of The Beatles and the people over there knew his name since The Beatles landed in America since 1964. Still like the man though ;) (Ringo)
As of Brandon's narration, I've seen a few episodes and I have to say his storytelling is not too bad and some of his voices for the characters aren't too bad, but when it comes to Donald and Douglas and even Duncan in their scottish accents, he sounds horrible. He sounds like he gave the engines russian accents, no offence to the russian people. Brandon may not be great, but you can hear he's trying his best.
David Mitton, Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell had done wonders with the Thomas series and it's sad that five years after he directed this episode, he (David Mitton) passed away. But his legacy still remains creating a show from a series of books written by a vicar into a reality. Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell had done many memorable themes for the characters and stories for the past nineteen years during their time of the classic era. It's a shame that they decided to move on, but all good things must come to an end. I wish them the best of luck for their future as they now have their own businesses.
We will now continue on with the new and revamped eighth season.
OVERALL RATING:
88/100
