Thomas & Friends: The Great Race

This movie is overrated and unimpressing, after I loved the 2015 specials, it all falls flat, this movie is a mixed bad, mediocre and weird pacing, and that's about it

4.2/10.

There's a story in the original Thomas collection, by Rev Awdry, involving the Flying Scotsman, a relation of one of the engines on Sodor. In this film, he arrives on his way to the Mainland to join the Great Engine Show, an event Thomas thinks he should be a part of and tries to come up with ways he should.

The most noticeable thing about this story are the number of songs it contains. A few sound like Andrew Lloyd Webber pieces, and "streamlining" sounds a lot like "greased lightning".

The much reported exotic engines seem under used, given the hype - most of the story is focused on Thomas, which seems a waste to me - with a couple of exceptions. Ashima provides Thomas with a moral aspect to follow, and while Vinnie is a Canadian engine, it's hard to decide if he's really modelled on an American footballer, with his helmet. And it's a leap to include a train with overhead power and a pantograph; can't see Sodor copying that design.

It's nicely drawn, with the foreign engines looking like their real life versions.

The rest of the main steamy and diesel crews all play roles, and it's pretty obvious the story is a vehicle for toys (and given the current hype around the real Flying Scotsman, it's definitely tapping in), so if you're kids are into wooden railway or take 'n play, expect some new requests after you see this.

Fantastic film. Enjoyed every second of it with my 2 year old son. The music is great and the storyline is engaging. It's also a good length, not overly long.

Goodies: It Has Some Of The Best Songs Of The Whole Show

Thomas Going The Great Railway Show Is A Really Decent Concept

The Flying Scotsman's Return

The Sets Are Huge And Well Detailed

Baddies: Thomas Is Sort Of Unlikable, Because He Was Angry With Ashima Only Because She Nearly Pushed Him In The Sea

The Movie Is A Rehash To "Dream On"

The Movie Was Made For Pointless Merchandise, Like... The Thomas Through The Jawbridge Scene For An Example.

The Great Race Competition Only Lasted About 3 Minutes

Ashima (Despite Her Decent Design) Doesn't Have A Lot Of Personality In Her

My Rate: Okay.

Just giving it a 10 to try up its rating. It's not bad compared to the utter dross that we get now this is good