As stated back in December 2019, I'm looking back at the movies again, but only between the 2013-2016 specials because I don't want to sit through the likes of Misty Island or Day of the Diesels again, those are still terrible to watch. So I'm focusing on the Brenner/McCue era of the Thomas specials. The reason why I won't be reviewing movies like 'Journey Beyond Sodor' and 'Big World Big Adventures' is because I still hold my views on them since they were new and also they are too young in my eyes to look back at yet, maybe in another few years when the time is right.
So let's start off with the start of the Brenner/McCue era with 'King of the Railway'. Had the movie stand with the test of time? Let's find out. But first:
THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE
KING OF THE RAILWAY (2013)
Written by
Andrew Brenner
Directed by
Rob Silvestri
Produced by
Ian McCue (HIT)
Halim Jabbour (HIT)
Brian Lynch (Arc)
Release Date
2/09/13 - UK
17/09/13 - USA
2/10/13 - AUS
Distributed by
HIT Entertainment
MY VIEWS
Looking back, I feel that this movie doesn't know what to focus on storywise. One part was the mystery behind all of the whole grand plan that the Earl was keeping under wraps, then we have Thomas, Percy and James working together at the castle and then Stephen wanting to be useful by finding a job and Gordon and Spencer trying to prove who was the fastest until Connor and Caitlin showed up, which by the way felt arupt when that concluded their subplot and nothing was resolved for them entirely. I mean even though the Miller/Barlow era has its tremendous faults, the movies had focus on the narrative from start to finish, don't get me wrong I still find them terrible, except for 'Hero of The Rails', even if it was more of an extended episode. I think if they had the idea at the time, this could've been more better as four episodes for the TV series. I will also point out that I think the 'climax' of Thomas and Stephen nearly falling off the bridge really didn't serve anything and it was shoehorned in to fill up space to make ends meet. I think if they had focused on one story, maybe it could've been about Thomas, James and Percy wanting to find King Godred's golden crown for the Earl before he arrives home so they can surprise him. However, James acts all arrogant and boastful that he can find the crown himself without the pair of tank engines slowing him down. Perhaps Stephen could fit into the story by having him sent to the Steamworks by the Earl while he was on his world expedition and maybe James made fun of him for being old and thinks that he would be even slower to find the crown and James ends up being trapped in the mine. It's not much but I think it would work with the moral about teamwork. If any fan made writers are out there wanting to use that outline you're welcomed to use it and you can have the freedom to change it up if you think what would work better.
The characteristation of the engines were really good. I especially like Percy in this one because his personality feels very Awdry like with his cheekiness and boastfulness but mixed with his sweet nature. Sure he would not be like that in the next movie but I'll talk about that another time. Brenner had really nailed them well, especially with the likes of Gordon, Spencer, Thomas, James etc. However, outside from Stephen, the new characters I feel were just there. Sure they had there reason but they were unneeded because they added nothing and this isn't the first movie that had done that in this era. Stephen however was a pretty good character. A wise old engine with a good sense of humor feeling like something Rev.W.Awdry would've done in the books. I also like that they had added in some Sodor history in the movie too based upon of the history that Rev.W.Awdry and his brother George had developed back in the mid-1980's.
This movie was good but I think they should've done more work on the plot by focusing on one story. As for the animation, looking back at Arc's first try, it did look a little pale compare to Arc's next films until 2016. The lighting was bright but the action and movement of the engines were more fluid.
This movie was good but I think they should've done more work on the plot by focusing on one story. As for the animation, looking back at Arc's first try, it did look a little pale compare to Arc's next films until 2016. The lighting was bright but the action and movement of the engines were more fluid.
OVERALL RATING
6/10
