A Retrospective of Thomas & Friends DVDs of 2013

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

With December being the final month of 2013, let's now take a look a back at all the DVDs reviewed on this blog's first year during the course of 2013 from many different countries such as the UK, US, Japan and Australia from the past and today, you can click on the titles of these reviews to see my full view on theses. Let's take a look at all the Thomas & Friends DVDs from 2013:

MUDDY MATTERS

REVIEW DATE:

5/02/13

The first DVD of the year for the United States and I think it did OK, it had some bad choices of episodes but some decent ones too. The game on this DVD wasn't as entertaining as the one on the Christmas DVD that came out to the US back 2012 but its something fun for the target range. 

Rating:

3/5

GO GO THOMAS

REVIEW DATE:

6/03/13

A surprisingly early release for Australia, as most DVDs either come out months or a year after the release dates in the UK and US. However, I was a bit disappointed with the choice of episodes that this DVD and that is of course the two horrible season 15 episodes, 'Wonky Whistle' and 'Kevin The Steamie'. It would've gone better with the original list, that the UK and US had, and placed an extra S16 episode. ABC should've released the two episodes on a different DVD. However, I'm glad they've kept the three good ones. 

Rating:

3/5

TEN YEARS OF THOMAS & FRIENDS

REVIEW DATE:

19/03/13

A gem to have in your Thomas DVD collection. Nowadays when it comes to DVDs celebrating an important milestone in the history of Thomas the Tank Engine, it's usually a compilation of episodes that are either remastered or not. This one has interviews with many kids, who would now be at an older age now, talking about their favourite Thomas episodes. It has good games and a great 'Read-Along' of a classic episode with wonderful illustrations by Owen Bell. 

Rating:

5/5

NEW FRIENDS FOR THOMAS & OTHER ADVENTURES

REVIEW DATE:

25/03/13

This was a good DVD release. It has simple stories and even though this is the only DVD to have Michael Angelis' narration for the American audiences, which by the way is actually good and much more better then Alec Baldwin's narration in my opinion. A nice catchy song at the end as well. 

Rating:

4/5 

SCHOOL HOUSE DELIVERY

REVIEW DATE:

29/03/13

Not much good episodes in my opinion but the target range would enjoy the episodes from the DVD. The game wasn't that special. Though I don't hate the DVD. 

Rating:

3/5

BUST MY BUFFERS VOL.40

REVIEW DATE:

3/04/13

There are three good episodes on this DVD and two that are not worth the watch. But the DVD release is simple with just five episodes and despite the region code showing 3 (China's release), it's actually all region. 

Rating:

3/5

FELLOW HIRO, SPECIAL CARE

REVIEW DATE:
18/05/13

The DVD is excellent. To me Hiro's a likeable character and its great to see a DVD about him and his popularity in Japan. Despite the bad episodes it was still a great DVD.

Rating:
5/5

BIG PANIC ISLAND OF SODOR

REVIEW DATE:
20/05/13

Another creative DVD, this time about the accidents, races, rescues and runaways in the series. I love the DVD cover as it shows that even the shock faces don't mean any harm, that nowadays most DVDs have a smiley face to boost sales. The entire program shows us in sections of all the panic in the series and end it with 'Flour Power' or as its known in Japan 'The Power of Wheat and Thomas', which was an OK episode. The DVD is great and is recommendable to kids and Thomas fans who love the crashes in the series. 

Rating:
5/5 

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE CHARACTER ENCYCLOPAEDIA

REVIEW DATE:
27/5/13

The DVD teaches kids about all the different vehicles on the Island. This is one of my favorite Japanese DVDs and sometimes I wish why can't HIT Entertainment do something like this for the english territories.

Rating:
5/5 

65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

REVIEW DATE:

28/5/13

While people in the UK and US get a compilation DVD of Thomas & Friends episodes, Japan released there own DVD to celebrate the anniversary in 2010. I love the comparison of the Railway Series story and TV series story of the four episodes that are featured on this DVD. 


Rating:
4/5


   

THE COMPLETE SERIES 14

REVIEW DATE:

25/07/13

The writing is dull and bland and annoying with its three strikes formula and repetition and rhyming. However there were some good episodes that's better then S13 and Nitrogen's animation was fantastic to watch. 

Rating:

3/5

TREAT SIZE DVD PRESENTS...

REVIEW DATE:
10/08/13

With episodes at its prime, these are well worth the money. A nice list of classic Thomas episodes from the early years with Ringo Starr as narrator and for 1.00 pound in the UK at Poundland, I bought these at their one in York. Well worth the money.


Rating:
5/5

RAILWAY MISCHIEF

REVIEW DATE:
19/08/13

A must have for any Thomas fan, this was a Wal*Mart exclusive, so you have to live in America or Canada as Wal*Mart doesn't sell worldwide, but you can get it from sellers on Amazon US or eBay, if you're lucky. The five selected episodes are from the new and improved S17 and they are enjoyable particulary 'Gordon Runs Dry'.


Rating:
4.9/5

KING OF THE RAILWAY

REVIEW DATE:

18/09/13 

Overall this has beaten the likes of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' and 'The Great Discovery' in my book. Andrew Brenner's first DVD special has ended up as the best selling DVD for Children on Amazon in the UK. The backstory of Ulfstead Castle gives Sodor that imaginative feeling to kids that it's real, like the fictional history from the Reverend Awdry's book about Sodor in 1987. The story is written well and can entertain families, kids as well as older Thomas fans.

Rating:

5/5  

SANTA'S LITTLE ENGINE

REVIEW DATE:
10/10/13

Despite the use of 'Snow Tracks' being re-narrated and re-released, the script from three years ago from the episode is still there with its unneeded rhyming and alliteration and stupidity of characters. But the rest of the episodes, from Season 17 were an acceptation. The best episodes that I've find there is 'The Missing Christmas Decorations', it is better then the plot of 'Day of The Diesels' even though it was for an episode. Plus they've fixed up the whole Christmas/Winter Holidays thing from 2012, I won't get into the debatable side of this issue as I have no interest about it.


RATING:
4.5/5  


MERRY CHRISTMAS THOMAS/BIG BANG SURPRISE

REVIEW DATE:
6/11/13

A mixed bag for this DVD. The episodes from MCT are bland or have a poor teaching moral for kids ('Emily's Winter Party Surprise') and the episodes from BBS have some bad and OK/Good episodes, such as 'Percy and the Calliope'. In the end it's mixed but is a great value for two discs of twelve episodes in total for those people in the UK. 


RATING:
3.5/5

Views on The New King of The Railway Trailer

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

KING OF THE RAILWAY'S 2ND TRAILER

So as you probably guessed, HIT Entertainment had released a 2nd trailer to the upcoming DVD special 'King of The Railway' on 'Go Go Thomas' for the US audience. This one features more footage from the upcoming DVD special showing us more new characters like Connor and Caitlin. 

So far this is the plot, Sir Robert Norramby, The Earl of Sodor, has returned to the island and wants to reopen Ulfstead Castle. So Thomas, James and Percy were given a 'special' job to deliver supplies to the Castle. So far that's it, keeping in mind this is only the trailer. 

With Connor and Caitlin, they look great in CGI and their basis really shows well and comparing it Gordon and Spencer, who were seen next to them, their faces do look like something that Nitrogen would create, the creamy colour of the faces really has that Nitrogen look, but then again this made under Arc Productions. I still don't think it's realistic that Connor and Caitlin are American/Canadian based locomotives, I'm not a big fan on American locomotion or railroading but I do have one favourite locomotive and that is 'Daylight'. But the UK has some USA based locomotives like the SR USA dock tank engine and they have the American austerity S160 locomotive during WWII and there are some in preservation today. However, the two them do seem likeable and interesting, we'll just have to wait and see in September. 

With the animation,  It does look a little better unlike the bad quality of the trailer, but it's not perfect.

We'll now have to wait for September for the release and the trailer does make it a bit interesting. I will be buying the DVD when it comes out. But I think we have to say this, it takes time to get used to new things and this is Arc's first special DVD and we didn't like the idea of Nitrogen taking over Thomas when the show was first announced to be transformed into CGI and yet we liked them in the end with the animation, despite the bad story lines. 

This is also Andrew Brenner's first written story for the show and I think we'll look forward to that. After all looks don't make it a great movie. 

KING OF THE RAILWAY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DVD 

IN SEPTEMBER 2013. 

TO WATCH THE NEW TRAILER,

 CLICK HERE

Bachmann 2013

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

Bachmann had first started the range for Thomas & Friends for over ten years and they're still growing strong with their range every year. Today, Bachmann had announced their 2013 range for the show this year and so here are my views on the Bachmann range that will be offered to the fans both young and old during the course of 2013. 

LARGE SCALE TOBY & ROLLING STOCK

Toby's HO model has been in the range for years now and now Bachmann is making a large scale version of him. I believe he would be a unique to see with the nice shape he has in the TV series. If only for the rolling stock they've made Henrietta, maybe Bachmann might make one for 2014? As of the show being in CGI and much like its predecessors in the large scale range, he will of course have a CGI face as HIT wants all the Thomas merchandise to replicate the TV series. Now to the large scale rolling stock, the light blue generic truck and raspberry syrup tanker, it would bring the same unique way like its other rolling stock models in the past.

I don't collect large scale models, as I don't have a garden to fit one and that they're too expensive to me, but I'm glad that the large scale models are growing and that they do bring the attention to customer on garden model railways and at model railway exhibitions to wow the crowd and I know that Toby will please the younger audiences. 

THOMAS' CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

I never liked the large scale version of the set that they released last year and looking at this set, I find it OK. I like the last two rolling stock with a vent van and conflat wagon with a box for the Christmas reef. But I think they should replace the red truck with a flatbed for the Christmas tree. As a railway enthusiast, it fits more realistically. But maybe then can find ways to fit a Christmas theme for the flatbed if they decided to do it? But it's nice to see the Christmas Thomas locomotive back on the shelves again, though I wish they release that separately. 

'ARRY AND BERT

Alongside with Duck the Great Western Engine, 'Arry and Bert are now to join in the locomotive line up. Despite that they'll just recycle Diesel's model with the iron works paint job, I'm looking forward to the model replicas of the two diesels, though I think they'll be given a smiling CGI face like Diesel. 

SOUND CHIP THOMAS

This one I am really looking forward too. A sound chip Thomas loco. With the re-release of the Thomas model, I don't know if they're still using the same face or giving him a CGI face? However, we will wait. 

TROUBLESOME TRUCK 4

I don't know what it would be but chances are there'll be a CGI face for it and I'm not really looking forward to it, it could just be another coal truck :P 

JEREMY 

While many of the older fans have considered that characters like Trevor or Bulgy should be made this year, which I do agree on, I think Jeremy is a good choice, he hasn't been seen in many episodes. I'm interested in seeing his final model when its released and I might buy him. 

As of Duck's final production model, I will make my views on that around possibly March when he comes from 'The Diesel Works' store from the UK. However, I think he's a stunner. 

OVERALL

I'll be honest, I'm more interested in getting models from Hornby's other ranges like steam locomotives and rolling stock then their Thomas range. I'm not saying that Hornby is bad at it, but with some models being discontinued and no new ones made for 2013 and with Bachmann making characters like Donald and Douglas before Hornby, I'm growing out of it. But I guess we'll never know what Hornby would produce? As of Bachmann's Thomas range this year, I'm not getting my hopes high at this moment. I am looking forward to four models from this range and that is Duck, 'Arry, Bert and the sound chip Thomas. 

THE FUTURE

As heard on the interent, Bachmann had internet sources of what should be next for the Thomas range for Bachmann which led to the making of Duck. So if any Bachmann officials are reading this, you might consider this in your range for the future:

BOCO

Even though BoCo has been seen in the series since 1998 and that the young audience are watching the classic episodes and that there are parents today who remember watching the show in its early years who are into railway modelling, it would be nice to see BoCo being in the range.

DASIY

Daisy hasn't been seen since 2005 and with the same as BoCo. Both diesels can provide some nostalgia and show the new generation of Thomas fans some forgotten characters that may spark a comeback in the new series? 

STEPNEY

I know Hornby had re-released theirs last year, but Hornby was more into the detail of Stepney so maybe a model replica of Stepney could be in good order? 

STANLEY

I think Stanley is a top one here on my list, he's a likeable character, both young and old fans do enjoy him and he has great detail and paint work as well. 

 STAFFORD

OK, I'll be honest, I may not like the episode he was put and how the way he was introduced, but to me I have a soft spot for Stafford. He's unique and loveable and his persona for the character is very normal then the likes of Charlie, Billy and the Logging Locos, which I don't like to see in the range. 

For the rolling stock, I would love to see a replicated model of Rocky:

As for the large scale models, either choice is Gordon, Henry or Edward. I am looking forward at what Bachmann is giving out this year and hope that they still keep making Thomas products for more years.

What To Expect In 2013...

Since that Australia are only three hours away to welcome 2013, I thought it'll be good to post something to end 2012 and that is what to expect in the new year.

BLOG

During the past 12 months this blog was in its first steps to the Thomas fandom and over those months I've seen many users having a background for their blog to make it more eye catching for the reader. So starting on Jan 1st, a new background will be added. The background will feature the little blue engine from the RWS - the sixteenth series, thanks to the TTTE Wikia. 

REVIEWS

The reviews will be their usual selves like 2012, but when it comes to DVDs and Books, I will add links onto them to shops that if they like to purchase a copy. S6-12 reviews will be up soon and their'll be more DVD reviews coming soon during the course of 2013. The first DVD will be in the middle of January with the US release of 'Muddy Matters' 

FINAL WORDS

Once again, I like to give thanks to all fellow readers, watchers and friends for a great year and we'll be looking forward to be giving you more reviews in many years to come. 

Enjoy 2013 everyone!!