NWR Editorial: The WWII Movie

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND THEY DO NOT REFLECT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE

NWR EDITORIAL:

THE WWII MOVIE

Back in 2009, I believe, HIT Entertainment had announced that they will make a movie division in L.A under the name 'HIT Movies' and had announced that there'll be films of their brand which includes Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Thomas & Friends. HIT had announced that the film was to have a late 2010 release in time for the 65th anniversary, but was pushed aside for 2011/2012 release. 

In mid-2011, more info was released about the film's promotion and a brief plot from Shane Acker, director of '9', telling us that the film is all about a pre-teen boy introducing to the world of Sodor, that his father had forgotten about after they drifted apart, the relationship. In 2013, it was 'announced' that the film was 'cancelled' due to low enthusiasm, however those comments were refuted by the person behind Shance Acker, rather pathetically by using someone else's name which is highly illegal as it's identity theft. 

In my opinion, there are negative sides on the film, the plot seems to be more focused on the father and son rather then Thomas or the other characters, making into a rehash plot of 'Magic Railroad' (Shining Time Station: The Movie). Thomas & the Magic Railroad was terrible because of the amount of focus on the humans rather then the characters. Plus it's a whole 'Steam vs. Diesel' cliché plot as well (WWII movie), possibly to make the movie more interesting despite that it's been way overused for years and highly inaccurate as diesel weren't built until 1947, which was two years after the second world war. 

Plus there's Josh Klausner, who had written not many great films, which includes the last two Shrek animated films. I doubt that he knows about Thomas the Tank Engine, unlike the fans and the new production team behind the series. There are other writers too such as Chris Viscardi and Will McRob, who wrote the first bad, but tried, first Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, which has unfortunately suffered through the 'what's hot' phase, singing songs that kids know today, which they've done for so many years (the Chipmunks franchise) but with poor characterisation and dull storyline, plus many cliche's and are followed with poor sequels with a fourth coming next year. Plus they wrote 'The Tale of Desperaux' and although it's been praised by its animation, critics have said that the plot seems scrambled and unoriginal. I haven't seen the movie myself though so I won't go all judgemental. I understand that there are fans waiting to see this movie and they rightly so can keep hope. But me, I gave up on the entire project. The plot looks like a ridiculous rehash, the whole father and son relationship could be entire cliche to deal with and, like I said before, the plot would be more focused on the father and son then Thomas himself. When it comes to movies about Thomas I rather have the DVD specials be the theatrical releases, the specials focus more on the engines. The positive outcome for me of the WWII film so far is the E2 locomotive Thomas that Nitrogen studios had made for the teaser poster above, it looks amazing! If they ever decide to create a Thomas movie, with the focus on him and the other characters, they should transform the characters as there basis. All I know, like many other fans, about the movie from official sources is that there's no conformation at this point in time and that was written last year when 'news' broke out about the film's 'cancellation'.

Movie Review: Tale of The Brave (2014) - Spoilers

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

THERE BE SPOILERS DURING THIS REVIEW

TALE OF THE BRAVE

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

Rob Silvestri

Produced by

Ian McCue (HIT)

Brian Lynch & Robert Anderson (Arc)

Release Date

1/09/14 - UK

16/09/14 - US

1/10/14 - AUS

Distributed

HIT Entertainment (UK/US/AUS)

Universal (US)

ABC Kids (AUS)

2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the television series of Thomas the Tank Engine, however HIT Entertainment are more focused towards the 70th anniversary of the Railway Series in 2015 and it looks as those it'll be a memorable one, implied from Roll Along Thomas' TOTB premiere report, though mentioned briefly. After much hype, with a two month stint here in Australia's Hoyts cinemas and screenings at various VUE cinemas in the UK and soon a DVD and Blu-Ray release coming to America in a few days time, Tale of The Brave is out on DVD in all UK stores. Is this movie better then the previous? Is it great to mark the 30th consecutive year of the series? Well let's find out:

PLOT

The film opens up in a usual prologue, we see Thomas making his way to the china clay pits, though I've appreciate the continuity of the twins working at the Quarry I think it's right for the twins to work at what they were made for, the china clay pits, which is much more better in CGI compare to the one used in S2-3 of the series, although it was in S5, but it shares it set with the Quarry. The reason why Thomas was at the clay pits is because his branch line is closed due to bridge repairs, reminds me of a certain Christopher Awdry book from 1988, which I hadn't thought about it when I saw it in its cinema run back in July.

At the clay pits we see one of the new characters, Timothy. An oil burning engine that works at the clay pits alongside Bill and Ben. Of course he went through what Captain did in MIR, no reason to be here, though I've always come up with my own head canon when it comes to stuff like these, despite not being official but all part of the fun. However Bill and Ben were out of nowhere characters in the Railway Series book, 'Main Line Engines', so the same can be said for Timothy. Though his characterisation is not much like BoCo, according to some fans, his naviety and gullible nature shows in the movie, Thomas pulling trucks that he was (Timothy) coupled onto. However he just simmers down and know that the twins are just silly engines, sure that part shares the similarity of BoCo. 

Soon it started to rain and in the clay walls would unstable in the wet, so as Thomas sets out with his trucks, he noticed some footprints. Before he could get a proper look, some loose clay fell and Bill and Ben rushed to save him just in time. We then open to another great looking opening with a jazzy instrumental of 'Monsters Everywhere' with shadow selves of the characters that are in this special, with a reference from the Fat Controller of a well-known film maker. So we're then opened to the plot with some of the Fat Controller's engines lined up in the yards to hear his speech praising the twins' heroic action to save Thomas. I do love the reference that Gordon made, 'You can say that again', a possible reference to 'Wrong Road'? What I also love of the line up there was five members of the steam team and the rest were the secondary characters and that it was only some of the Fat Controller's engines rather then all of them, as of course there's a railway to run, unlike in the previous specials. 

After that, the Fat Controller had ordered Thomas to go down to the docks to work. However he was still thinking about the footprints. We then see a scene with Gator, who's not revealed giving us the feeling of mystery. Before Thomas went to the docks, he went back to the clay pits but the area where he was the day before was closed off with danger signs. This is where we meet another new character, Marion, a steam shovel who loves digging. Yes she's an out of nowhere character, bare in mind though that the clay pits haven't been seen for sixteen years, so, in your own headcanon*, you can make up your mind. (*a headcanon is like a belief, idea or aspect. Though not official info unless it's confirmed by the author) I love the little jump scare and the delivery of her dialogue was fantastic as well. Plus I love it how Marion mentioned chickens and since that this special is focused on dinosaurs I love it how there is scientific fact that dinosaurs are linked to birds and chickens are one of them and it shows the comparison, as I've been to dinosaur exhibition in Sydney back in July. 

At Brendam docks, Thomas set to work. If you look really closely to the sky you'll notice that they're moving, like real clouds. I also love the dock workers talking in the backgrounds making the scene more realistic. Percy was wondering about the footprints from Thomas but thought they must be from a monster, despite Thomas and Cranky saying that there's no such things as monsters. As Percy left with a goods train to Vicarstown, a fog rolled in, if you've read on SiF's blog in 2012, the Isle of Man is prone to fog obscuring the view of the island and since Sodor is near there, the same can happen over there, so it was nice research put in there, like they've done with…Misty Island. 

Percy spotted a strange looking engine coming down the track and thought it was a monster. After Percy's 'encounter' with the 'monster', it turns out to be an engine, another new comer, called Gator. I will get to his characterisation soon. Later at night, Percy was taking the mail train and through the song, 'Monsters Everywhere' performed by Robert Hartshorne, the series' composer, we see many buildings and thing shaped into monsters, which was brilliant done by Arc Productions.

The next morning, Thomas went to the clay pits again. He met up with Timothy, while Marion was digging more rock from the landslide, and was tricked by Bill and Ben. At the docks, Percy was collecting trucks, albeit tired. After bumping into some trucks he ran away thinking it to be a monster. Back at the clay pits, Thomas was still looking for the footprint. But he thought it was a storm playing tricks on him. But after seeing Bill and Ben he thought he might've played a track, though the twins thought the landslide was a trick, providing a little bit of comedy from Bill. 

After that he went to the sheds and saw a nervous Percy. He asked Thomas to take the mail, due to him being scared, despite James thinking it's funny. The next day the branch line was fixed and Thomas collected his coaches, Annie and Clarabel, meanwhile James was heading for the scrap yard to collect scrap from new comer Reg, which was unfortunately short. But I hope he has some proper development in the upcoming Christmas episode, hopefully. He created the scrap monster. 

Percy met up with Gator once again at the docks, as he missed his ship. Gator told Percy that he must collect some trucks, don't know why they've kept the term 'cars' in the UK dub, from Duck's branch line, GWR fans rejoice of a mention thinking it's the best ever, tonight. Percy was worried that he might be scared of monsters but Gator told him that monsters would be afraid of him which lead Percy thinking Gator's brave and so we're given a flashback of Gator's past, in a remarkable cut out style flashback, feels very picture book style. The flashback provides the highlighted moral about bravery, 'being brave isn't the same as not feeling scared, it's what you do even when you do feel scared'. A great moral telling kids that you can be brave and still be scared of it. So Percy decided to be brave, with a reference to a ghastly S15 episode and take the mail train for night. While James was to take the Flying Kipper, while Henry goes to the mainland with a goods train, an engine getting its comeuppance is great to see again, teaching kids that teasing and bullying can lead to karma. 

So after James got a fright from Gator, he fell off the line and into a pond. The other engines' thought it was funny when he returned at the big station the next day. Now everyone thinks he's the 'scaredy engine'. So he decides to get Percy back by shunting the scrap monster into the middle of the main line to scare Percy so he can be the 'scaredy engine'. After Percy's encounter with it, all the engines laughed and Thomas didn't believe him, in an honest way, leading Percy to give Thomas the cold boiler (pun intended). Percy was sad that no one believes him and after meeting with Gator with a beautiful 'Our Tale of The Brave' song by Sam Blewitt, and Thomas had learned that James was the one who did the joke and told James to find Percy and apologise for his action, Thomas talking down to James? Haven't seen that in a while. When Thomas came to the big station, he told Percy but Percy was still cross with him. 

You could say Thomas was being made as a villain in the story. But to me this is Thomas trying his best not to make an assumption about the whole monster thing, but trying hard to be honest, when you look at the latter, he was having a difficult time for both sides. Unlike what he did in the previous specials from the Miller/Barlow era. But Percy wants Thomas to believe in him and to be honest it's Percy that should be blamed here. He's blaming his best friend for not believing in him because he wants to be right (Percy). It maybe hard to understand but that's how I interpret it. So Percy thinks about going to other railways to prove that he's brave. However later that night at the docks, Gator told Percy that 'running away from your problems is not very brave'. Another good moral. Meanwhile Thomas and James were heading for the clay pits, after a little funny scene prior, thinking that Percy would be there, but after a ships horn blared, Thomas knew were Percy would really be. So he raced to the docks as the ship left the port. Resulting Cranky to grab the ship with his hook, unrealistic yes but I like it because it's needed. 

I usually get comments on why I don't like some of the unnecessary action, like in S5. I don't mind the action unless it is needed rather then just being there. This is needed to showcase, I believe, Cranky's bravery for stopping the ship, despite that he might've plunged into the sea. When I first saw the movie in July, this actually let me tensed and worried. But in the end, it turns out Percy was already unloaded half and hour ago, is it me of does Cranky just love that hour of time, as he says it in some S18 episode. So Percy was at the clay pits, with James catching up, with some funny moments from Bill and Ben and a reference to a S2 episode. 

James arrived and after being scolded by Percy, he dared him to head into the landslide area show his bravery. However James' echoing was causing a landslide and after seeing skeletons of something, he thought it a monster and rushed away whistling loudly which is causing another landslide, as the walls are unstable. Anyone noticed Mark Moraghan's little gasp? James' wheels slipped on the rubble and so Percy decides to be brave, prior to that Percy discovered the footprint. 

The climax was needed here especially to showcase Percy's decision to brave and his character development during the film. The climax has great suspense and the music really sets the danger mood. I do see more as S3, maybe because it reminds me of a certain episode that is set a the clay pits or quarry. As Percy was gathered up by the rubble, a skull came down and Marion grabbed it just before it hit Percy. I do have one nitpick is that how does Marion know Percy's name? Probably a script error, I have that problem before when writing episodes.

It turns out to be fossils of dinosaur, with Marion reciting a bit of Hamlet. At the Steamworks, Percy was cleaned out with all the dust and Thomas and James apologise for their action, though James would've mentioned that Reg did it as well, the scrap monster. So at the town hall, it was Megalosaurus, a British dinosaur I might add. After hearing that Gator is leaving again, Percy head towards the docks to say his farewell, which gives such a bittersweet but happy ending with another moral from Percy that we sometimes have to be brave to say goodbye to someone and we've all been there before. We're then given the final song which 'Let's Be Brave' from EggPlant Studios, while yes a generic pop song it's very catchy and can grow onto you. While the song is playing in the background we're then given the voice actors and the characters that they've voiced, which is rightfully deserving. 

OVERALL

To me this is better then King of The Railway, Blue Mountain Mystery and probably every previous Thomas special so far. Its story has more emotion, more appealing characters and it has that theatrical style cinematography and music. The new characters are great, minus Reg. Gator feels very much like a big brother to Percy with his wise words of wisdom about bravery, Marion is all bubbly and fun and Timothy has his gullible side, hope it's not a running trend for all characters though in the series and specials, Reg though was there for a few seconds, but he was there more as a plot device for creating the scrap monster, plus his persona has stand out as well, his sarcastic humour reminds me a bit of John Lennon, to be honest. The morals are much stronger and easy to understand for a child to learn from and can help kids that are in real life situations. 

I will admit that Marion and Timothy didn't add much to the special but there personalities have shone through for a few minutes. Plus yes they don't have a reason to be on Sodor unlike other characters, but as I said in the review, their have been other character that had that treatment too such as Bill, Ben and BoCo and yet they're pretty well beloved characters ever since. I like to see characters given reason to be on Sodor and I wish they did that for those two. Some say Gator didn't have much purpose on the island, but to me he did. He came to Sodor to be transferred by boat to another country, however I think more should've been added to that. Like maybe have the Fat Controller introduce him to the other engines and telling them why he's here. 

Andrew Brenner and his team behind Thomas & Friends are really bringing back for what the series were used to be. There'll never be anything like the classic series or the Railway Series ever again, unlike some who can't let go of the past and need to appreciate the effort of the new, but I'm fine with that. As long as any special or episode has a good well written story with morals that are valuable rather then to make money by using it as an advertisement for the toys, which by the way this really didn't have the feeling of a toy commercial, I understand that some fans don't like that but as SiF says, the toy line is the lifeblood of the show. But as long, as I've said before, as the specials or episodes have a good story, put much realism as possible in the stories and making it as entertaining as they could, I'm happy that kids are getting good entertainment from someone who knows and respects the franchise rather then junk they see with no effort put into it.

I've seen the US version of the dub and while I do like the US voice cast, well some of the voices that they've provided, they seem to lack emotion in some scenes. The climatic scene of Thomas at the docks and the second landslide at the clay pits, shows not much emotion. Ben Small did it brilliantly. In the UK dub he sounds like he's really in panic mode whereas Martin Sherman, whom I know has left the series and that his last contribution is next year, as said by SiF themselves, has lack that and he made Thomas sound like it's a normal thing. Plus how the way the actors deliver the lines in the US dub is like something you hear out of a cheesy 80's or 90's sitcom. Kerry Shale's panic mode for James sounds very shallow and bland whereas Keith Wickham gave James, like Ben Small, a more serious panic voice. Sherman's delivery of lines for Percy lacks emotion as well. The scene with him and Gator saying their farewell's lacks sadness, whereas the UK dub made Percy sound like he's about to cry and you can share that sympathy with his sad emotion because we've all been there before. 

I sometimes can't stand the US voice for Thomas, James and Percy and at other times I'm fine with them, so it's most of a love/hate for them. But I really hate the voices provided for Henry, Toby (despite not being in the special) and Edward, they sound terrible and nasally. Emily and Gordon's US voices I can tolerate as they sound very normal. Yes I know the UK dub has its own flaws too as well. However I hope the US actors improve the voice acting someday in future.

The animation from Arc Productions is spectacular. The design of the clay pits is much better then the one we've seen in classic era. I actually love the detail of the rain water over Thomas' face, it looks very real. Plus there cinematography is great too. The music, I'll say this, why can't HIT Entertainment release the soundtrack of their specials?! Hartshorne's music is just amazing and it feels more cinematic, especially the one during the clay pits climax. That music would leave you tensed. 

Tale of the Brave is definitely my number one favourite Thomas special as of now and who knows what 'Legend of the Lost Treasure' would bring next year. 

Rating: 

9/10

   

TALE OF THE BRAVE

IS OUT NOW IN STORES IN THE UK AND US

COMING SOON ON OCTOBER 1ST IN AUSTRALIA

S18 Ep.16:Toad's Bright Idea

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

TOAD'S BRIGHT IDEA

Written by

Davey Moore

Directed by

Don Spencer

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date
16/09/14

Plot

Gator finds himself at a loss as he waits to be loaded on to a ship which is delayed. When Oliver breaks down, he is more than happy to help out to pass the time. Gator collects Oliver's trucks and keeps on driving through the night even when his lamp fails. Toad, the brake van, does not think this is safe and he and Gator argue. In the end, it is Toad's bright idea which helps Gator to deliver the trucks in time.

PRO:

- The 'mid-equal' plot line
- Moral: The importance of a lamp and brake van
- The developing friendship between Gator and Toad

CON:

- The crew members being the hands of engines and rolling stock

To be honest after hearing about this episode I had a bit of a bad feeling towards it and was also hoping that this takes place during TOTB so it won't disrupt continuity. Thankfully the latter did and it was really good how they came up with the 'mid-equal' plot, it reminds me of the Christopher Awdry stories that he made of the nicknames that Diesel gave to Gordon, Henry and James during the Duck and Diesel trilogy. Plus the moral of the story is good too with its railway practice, it shows why an engine's lamp is very important as it guides their way through the night to warn signalman or approaching engines that there's another engines' presences and of course the importance of brake vans. My main gripe will have to be the crews being the hands of the engines' and rolling stock, but they're slowly getting back to that (e.g - the dock manager talking to Gator). It's only a nitpick but I do hope the writers bring that back one day. I also love the friendship between the alligator and toad, do you reckon that came into Moore's mind? It shows there little arguing but Gator resolves himself in the end and the two became friends. It's a nice way to end S18 until the Christmas period in December or October if you're living in the US. Still there's more things to come on this blog so keep a good look out. The overall will more likely be out possibly when 'Dinos and Discoveries' comes out on DVD early next year, as it might be filled with S18 episodes.

Rating: 8.5/10

S18 Ep.15:Spencer's VIP

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

SPENCER'S VIP

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Stoten

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Plot

Spencer brings a VIP back from the mainland, but is so intent on doing a good job that he does not notice that he has been sent down the wrong track. By the time he arrives, they are so late that the passenger refuses to travel back with him and the other engines all compete for the privilege.

PRO:

- Percy's questioning on VIP
- Moral: Showing off can lead to bigger mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance
- Gordon and James' banter at Wellsworth
- Oliver and Duck's little argument
- Seeing remorse from Spencer
- A deputy minister

CON:

- Edward missing his coaches in one shot
- Why are there two signal boxes at Wellsworth junction?

Yes the episode's unrealistic but there is a time where some rules have to bent, just don't make it very unrealistic. When it comes to Percy's questioning, it's usually out of his own stupidity, but when it comes to his question of VIP in this episode, it feels like his questioning in 'Thomas and his Friends' when he was wondering about the word, 'auspicious'. I have a feeling the scene between Gordon and James was a little jib at the size of the station, despite the amount of coaches, just a thought but it's rather funny to see Gordon and James have a jib at each other. Oliver and Duck's scene was funny too and you can clearly see that Oliver doesn't get 'The Great Western' way stuck in his smokebox. I think the highlight of the episode is seeing another side of Spencer learning his lesson and showing remorse from him, another interesting character development coming from him. Despite that Spencer can be a show off he knows when he makes his own mistake, which leads one of the morals that everyone deserves a second chance and with the engines' showing off, it shows the moral that showing off can lead to bigger mistakes. Great morals that children will easily understand. I also love it how it's a deputy minister and not a railway inspector, a nice breath of fresh air. 

There are some little nitpicks though, why at Wellsworth junction there be two signal boxes? Plus Edward's coaches are missing, Arc Production should be learning by now about these errors, but in the end everyone makes mistakes. I've enjoyed this episode and find it as Andrew Brenner's best script yet.

Rating: 9.5/10

S18 Ep.14:No Steam Without Coal

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

NO STEAM WITHOUT COAL

Written by

Davey Moore

Directed by

Don Spencer

Produced by

Brian Lynch & Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

11/09/14

Plot

Bill and Ben run out of coal during a shortage at Clay Pits and have to rely on Timothy, who runs on oil, to help them out.

PRO:

- Moral: Everyone is special
- The comedic moments
- The characterisation of Timothy and Marion
- Bill and Ben's trickery has that S3 feeling

CON:

- Timothy being the only oil burning engine

This episode is like as some say, predictable. But it's not a bad episode either. Davey Moore had really captured the personality of Bill and Ben rather well with their bickering, banter and teasing. Plus some scenes with them remind me of 'One Good Turn', with one of them trying to pull a train of heavy trucks with their wheels slipping. The comedic moments were fun, especially the one that is used as the picture above. The characterisation of Timothy and Marion were spot on, Marion felt like a mother/teacher towards the twins, great character development from her too. Timothy does though share a bit of similarity as BoCo and Edward, though some characters do share the similar trait (e.g - Thomas and Percy being cheeky). To me, Bill, Ben and Timothy are the, spare the hate mail, logging locos done right! You have Bill and Ben being tricky and troublesome but get there comeuppance in the end and Timothy, who thankfully haven't shared the same trait as the one-sided persona climax engine, is very mature when it comes to the twin's mischief. The moral of the story is also great for children to learn from that everyone is special in their own way. Pretty much like Harvey in S6, 'Different is what makes you special.' There is one flaw in the story and that is when the narrator says that Timothy is the only oil burning engine on Sodor, sure you have the logging locos but does anyone actually care about those annoying one dimensional characters? Anyway they're pretty much ignored this season and that Misty Island was nowhere in site since 'Thomas the Quarry Engine'. But you have Victor, although it hasn't been officially stated, his basis is an oil burning tank engine, hence the lack of coal bunkers. But that's a nitpick but I think Davy Moore should be more careful. But in the end, it was a fun and good episode, despite being predictable.

Rating: 8/10

S18 Ep.13:Missing Gator

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

MISSING GATOR

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

Don Spencer

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

10/09/14

Plot

Percy misses his friend Gator and ends up rushing around as he tries to keep his mind occupied. He is so busy that he loses control of some trucks, which roll into an old mine. At first, Percy is afraid to go after them, but then he remembers what Gator taught him about being brave.

PRO:

- Moral: Memories can help you get by
- KOTR continuity
- The great focus of Percy
- The rhyming

CON:

- N/A

This was such a nice and sweet episode. I love the great focus of Percy, you feel sympathy for him as we've all been there before when it comes to missing our friends or family members but the moral stands out that memories can help you get by at situations like that and be optimistic. I love how Andrew Brenner had put continuity in the episode, 'continuity what's that?' haha. As the narrator stated that the mine had been boarded up again, this is great as in the past most stories in the series either tend to deviate from the past stories, example 'Bust My Buffers' saying that diesels and steam engines have a rivalry, despite that 'Day of the Diesels' showcased the rivalry is settled as they're equal. Oh yes, why I'm I praising the rhyming? Well it's a rarely used thing in the series nowadays and I said before, it's not as annoying as S13-16 as it was used constantly like crazy that your head would meet wall. I don't see much fault with the episode in the end and I consider it as one of Brenner's good episodes.

Rating: 9/10

S18 Ep.12:Marion and the Pipe

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

MARION AND THE PIPE

Written by

Mark Huckerby and Nick Olster

Directed by

Don Spencer 

Produced by

Air Date

9/09/14

Plot

Marion uncovers what she thinks is the mast of a Viking ship while doing some repairs on an embankment. Thomas suspects that she may have hit a water pipe, but Marion is not so sure. The following day, when Thomas notices flooding near the bank, she has to reassess her opinion.

PRO:

- Bill and Ben's facial movement 
- Marion's bucket movement
- Moral: Don't hide your mistakes
- Good climax

CON:

- Marion discovering it was water pipe at last, despite her first encounter

The episode was alright, Marion to me does sound bubbly a bit, as she was in Tale of The Brave (which I'll review later on), though not by much but still sound fun to deal with. Bill and Ben were in good characterisation, despite being used as a small portion. The facial movement between the two was funny so well done Arc. The animators seem to have a fun time with Marion's bucket movement was great too, especially her 'FORE!' in the climax, which shows some good anticipation between Gordon and Marion, wondering if Gordon will be derailed. Although unrealistic, it was still good fun.  However there is one nitpick and that is in the script. At first we see Marion discovering that it was a water pipe, after Thomas left with his stone train earlier in the plot. Yet afterwards she discovered it again by saying, 'Oh dear it was a water pipe.' However the moral is good for kids showing us that you can't hide your mistakes. In the end, it's an alright episode. The plot was plain and simple, easy to understand for young children but it wasn't great like in line with 'Duck and the Slip Coaches' and 'Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger'. 

Rating: 7/10

S18 Ep.11:Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger

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

DUNCAN AND THE GRUMPY PASSENGER

Written by

Davey Moore

Directed by

Don Spencer 

Produced by
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

8/09/14

Plot

Duncan, the grumpiest engine on the narrow gauge railway, gets a taste of his own medicine when he receives a very grumpy passenger. He tries his hardest to help the passenger so that they will stop complaining, but soon learns that it is impossible to please everybody.

PRO:

- Duncan's characterisation
- Moral: You can't please everyone
- The animation of the Skarloey Railway

CON:

- Duncan's CGI render looks plain
- Some errors from Arc

This episode is good. Davey Moore has been the writer of such good episodes like 'Luke's New Friend', 'The Switch' and 'Not Now Charlie', yes I actually think the latter was a good episode, despite Charlie's presences. I love how he've captured Duncan's characterisation, a grumpy engine, very season four. The moral has been implied that you can't please everybody, which pretty much sums up most of the entire fan base and all fan bases and people in general, you can't please everybody. And I'll say this and I mean it, Arc's render of the Skarloey Railway is better then Nitrogen's render. I believe SiF and SI3D's Sean was part of all this, as he personally knows the railway consultant of the series. They've captured the S4-7 setting of the railway and it has that welsh atmosphere as well. Crovans Gate station is the best one out of all them. However despite that it was great that Duncan returned, he seems to be a bit plain compare to the other renders of the Skarloey engines. There's a lack of detail and his running board is most likely from his Take-n-Play model, whereas his original model from S4-12 has a yellow running board. However, Arc Productions had captured the TVS model of Duncan really well and I give them credit for that. But of course we have the usual nitpicks of Arc's animation error. If you look at James, during Peter Sam and Duncan's conversation at Crovans Gate station earlier in the episode, noticed how he's pulling Skarloey coaches. Hopefully Arc goes back and fix the rendering issue for the DVD, like they did in 'The Thomas Way' DVD. I love how the story shows us the simple daily routine of Duncan's working life, it's simple and easy to understand when it comes to the target audience. Plus Tom Stourton also done a good scottish accent, not like the one I pull in my fan made videos or how previous storytellers put it, minus Ringo, stereotypical, though I was trying to impersonate Billy Connolly.  Plus being on the Skarloey Railway, it's a nice break from the Blue Mountain Quarry, hopefully we see more stories placed on the Skarloey Railway in future.

Rating: 8/10

S18 Ep.10:Thomas and the Emergency Cable

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

THOMAS AND THE EMERGENCY CABLE

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Stoten 

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date:

5/09/14

Plot

Thomas is on his branch line when a passenger pulls the emergency cable and he has to stop quickly. But it turns out not to be an emergency at all, but a bird watcher who has spotted a rare bird. To make matters worse, Clarabel has a wheel flat after being dragged along with her brakes on. So the next time Thomas sees the bird watcher he refuses to stop to collect him, but he soon learns that that is not the right thing to do.

PRO:

-Moral: Emergency brakes are only used for emergencies

- Some nice human interactions

- Thomas getting comeuppance 

CON:

- Annie being the brake coach

This is another of Andrew Brenner's 'small moments into big ideas' stories'. It teaches children about what emergency brakes are. The human interaction between the engines and human is decent, hope that they keep on with it in the future. Plus with the premise, it was nice to see Thomas getting his comeuppance at the end. But there is one gripe I have and that is Annie being the brake coach. As stated in 'Thomas and the Guard', Clarabel can take passengers, luggage and guard. The latter is the one in the brake coach, which is Clarabel and Annie would only have the brakes through a brake pipe while all the equipment for Clarabel would be attached to her, plus it was even in the description of the episode that Clarabel was one who've suffered. The way Annie was braking was very illogical, even with a railway consultant for the series. But still it didn't damage the interest I have with the episode and it shows that you don't need escapades all the time in the series. 

Rating: 9/10

S18 Ep.9:Thomas the Quarry Engine

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

THOMAS THE QUARRY ENGINE

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Baas

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue and Halim Jabbour (HIT)

Air Date

4/09/14

Plot:

Mavis is sad that she has to stay at the Quarry all the time and all she wants to be by the seaside. So Diesel, with his boastfulness of being revolutionary, made her the front engine, despite that Thomas thought of the offer at first for Mavis being the back engine. 

PRO:
- Another example of Awdry's characters are like children
- Moral: Always help one another

CON:
- Thomas kept on puffing while having his brakes on
- No purpose of the balloons on Mavis

Ever since April, this has always been my favourite episode and it still is five months later. The story feels like another Awdry style story, why? Because the characters act like children, Thomas thinks he can haul the trucks by himself without a back engine (banker) but things turn out wrong in the end, which brings in the moral that you always help one another, which is on Mavis side as she was out and about with Diesel. However there are some problems, but they're mostly nitpicks. The first one is that you can still hear Thomas puffing even though his brakes are on and the balloons have no purpose for the story, that Mavis was carrying nearing the end. There was just no purpose and those balloons would've been deleted instead. However those nitpicks don't deviate my love for the episode. It is good, it has that Awdry feeling and the UK acting is great as well. I love the song at the end too. It's a very British thing to see on Thomas & Friends, 'I Do Like To Be By The Seaside', a British hall song, kudos to Andrew Brenner for adding that.

Rating: 9/10

S18 Ep.8:Duck and the Slip Coaches

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

DUCK AND THE SLIP COACHES

Written by

Mark Huckerby & Nick Ostler

Directed by

David Stoten

Produced by
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

3/09/14

Plot

It is high summer, when many tourists visit Sodor and The Fat Controller is concerned about getting them all to their destinations on time. Duck tells the other engines about the slip coaches they used on the Great Western Railway that can be uncoupled at stations without stopping. James then tells the Fat Controller and claims it as his idea. But James has never used slip coaches before and soon runs into trouble!

PRO:

- James' attitude towards Duck at the sheds
- Duck's flashback 
- It feels very Awdry like, the story
- The joke at the 'Emily replaces Duck theory'

CON:

- N/A

Of all the stories written by the duo writing team, this one would have to be their best one yet and probably the best story since 'Old Reliable Edward'. What's so good about the story is that it feels like like a RWS story that had never been used before. This is another example on how the characters act like children, James is more prominent example in this episode. Thinking that pulling slip coaches sounds rather easy but realises that its not. James' attitude towards Duck in the episode is kind of like how fans think how other fans praise Duck for just being in an episode and also that his Great Western passion was rather annoying, to be honest it does get annoying when people talk about the past, while it is great what a time we've lived through it's best to move on from it and keep it as memories. Plus the joke with Emily was rather funny and I've despised the whole 'eMILLY replased duk theory'. While it is funny that the writers and animators poke fun at it, the theory has been going for nine years since S8. If Emily really was the replacement of Duck she would've been given the same persona. The only reason why that happened is because the show has been criticised for years for being sexists by its lack of female characters and so Emily was given the eighth spot of the 'steam team' and that some of the models were out of service too at Shepperton studios in London. I love the flashback too, although it was Wellsworth that they've used, it was good that Arc had disguised it. I think it's one of the best episodes in S18 so far and hope we see more of the slip coaches in future

Rating: 10/10

S18 Ep.7: Duck in the Water

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

DUCK IN THE WATER

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Stoten

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

2/09/14

Plot

When Duck gets stuck on some flooded track, James is sent to fetch Rocky to rescue him. But James does not wait for Rocky to secure his crane arm and they end up knocking down a signal before they arrive at the accident site! Without a signal to warn them, the other engines do not stop, and what began as a small accident soon escalates into a much bigger one involving several engines! 

PRO

- Some nice humor 

- Good morals

- No accompanying of music during James and Rocky's scene

- Amazing visuals from Arc Productions

CON

- Animation errors here and there

The episode was really decent. There are many great morals for children to learn from such as the importance of signals, admitting your mistakes and that you can't do anything you like all the time, which was said the recent special. Another is the humor, the dry humor arrogance of James makes me laugh and his humor reminds me of John Lennon, same can be said for Reg. But I think the best part of humorous side of the show is this: 

Credit goes to crovansgate7698 (Tom) on twitter for the picture 

Feels like S17 with the cameos of Ducks. 

One scene I definetly like is when James and Rocky set off to rescue Duck. There was no music to accompany the scene and I like when some shows do this, you sometimes can feel the characters' drama by just having no music. Some animes do that to set the mood of that scene. Plus Arc Productions are great with their animation and they are showing some improvements too, the rain going over James' face and the lighting too, the lighting feels real, like Nitrogen's waterfall in S14. Plus the faces and movement of the characters are so fluid and flexible too. However they do suffer from their errors, however these are just nitpicks. One is at the start of the episode, we see Duck's brake can not bring rendered well:  

Even James look confused :P

Plus Duck's footplate seems to have been morphed into the platform. It reminds me of Trainz when you put rolling stock on the route, sometimes if you add rolling stock or engines on the points it'll morph into it making it awkward. But in the end, it's a decent episode with some good morals, not an over the top S5 style crash and some good humor too

Rating: 9/10