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Thomas & Friends - Calling All Engines
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £2.69 (subject to change)
Good fun for long journeys
Review date: 2007-01-12 Rating: 6 out of 10
I bought this for my three year old daughter for Christmas and she loves it. It has had many plays and I am already familiar with all of the songs and its only 11 Jan! All of the engines are in the video and my daughter is particularly taken with Diesel 10, who is a little bit scary as well as ultimately being very helpful.
For me the songs could be better and the computer graphics are a bit cheesey. The basic story is pretty good, but some of the tricks the engines play on one another go too far and the distinction between good and bad is very blurred, which is often not the case for children's stories. I don't intend to use Thomas the Tank Engine as a path through the moral maze, but there is a temptation to think engines are good and diesels are bad; and this is a danger considering what Thomas does to the diesel.
Overall compared to the TV series this is not as good quality and it is clear why this is a DVD only and hasn't found it's way onto the TV screens yet. I've given it a good rating as it is popular with my children and is holding it's own against the inevitable onslaught of the power of the pink princess.
Similar Products
- Thomas & Friends - Little Engines, Big Day Out
- Thomas The Tank Engine - The Great Discovery [2008]
- Thomas & Friends - On Track For Adventure
- Thomas And Friends - Thomas' Trusty Friends [2006]
- The Very Best of Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends [2003]
Reviews
Superb - a perfect gift for a Thomas Fan
Review date: 2006-06-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
My son (almost 3) watched this for the first time this week. It was an instant hit, and he watched it 3 times in quick succession! Although it is quite long for a small child, it kept his attention throughout, and he followed the story perfectly well. The variety of adding in computer graphics to get the child involved with 'helping' to make choices for the engines really adds interest and helps make the little ones feel involved.
He insisted on getting out all his wooden Thomas trains to act out the scenes, and after just one day was quoting the dialogue from the film!
This was our first DVD from the newer Thomas animation. (We have the first three of the classic series so far, which use models rather than computer animation.) I was worried that the narration may be American, but was pleasantly surprised to hear an English voice. It hs been such a hit with the little man, we'll certainly be buying more.
Highly recommended to any 2+
A bit of a muddle
Review date: 2006-05-31 Rating: 6 out of 10
My two year old grandson is very interested in Thomas and we sit together to watch this dvd. However I use the controller quite a lot as the dark stormy scenes are a bit scarey for little ones, the idea of the engines' homes being blown down in the night is a bit much. Also I think that the combination of computer graphics, stories and singing is a bit of a hotch potch. The songs are great and sung by children, they are really appealing and catchy.
Train warfare
Review date: 2006-03-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is one of our most played DVDs, mainly because there are so many of my son’s favorite characters crammed into the story. Thomas fans will be able to identify many of the trains, both steam and diesel, including Thomas, Lady, Diesel 10, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Harvey, Mavis, Diesel, Iron ‘Arry and Iron Bert, and more.
There are five catchy songs, including “Busy” which will have you humming all day, and for shorter attention spans there are short breaks in the action for cartoon challenges.
In this story, there is to be a new airport built on Sodor, which will bring in lots of visitors to the Island. Unfortunately, this also brings the Steam Engines into close contact with the Diesels, and before long the island is in chaos as train warfare breaks out. To compound matters, a storm hits the island, further delaying the work schedule.
With the vacation season plans headed for disaster, Thomas rallies the engines to work together and be really useful, but the real challenge will be to finish everything on time. A last minute emergency might put a damper on things, but maybe a little help from an unlikely source can save the day.
Entertaining and educational, this one is a must for any Thomas fan.
Amanda Richards
Do I have to watch it again :o)
Review date: 2005-10-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
My son Mark is 24 months and we got this DVD in the post last Tuesday. By Wednesday he was singing along with the busy song and it has been his first choice to watch eveyday since. Every morning I am greeted with Thomas Thomas and him pointing to the DVD player, so I think this is as good a recommendation you can give. Personally I think the story is a little weak but I like the fact that the story gets the child involved by asking them various questions, and explaining differences in the various engines. The songs are catchy and on the whole its bright and there are plently of engines and scene changes to keep the child entertained. A must for any Thomas fan
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Thomas The Tank Engine
Creators:
Thomas The Tank Engine (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014138017330
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-10-03
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 60 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)