Despite being based on Thomas The Tank Engine and the Railway Series; only the first ten or so minutes actually has anything in common with the source material because it initially starts out in East Anglia (Toby's old line) and chronicles the closure of his line as well as his arrival on Sodor. During that time this film will appeal to every fan as it has all that you would expect from what would initially seem to be something in the spirit of the classic TV series.
However some time after Tobias(Toby) comes to Sodor it's not long till it becomes something entirely different as the film begins to spiral into territory that will divide the fan base. One such example is Tobias soon discovering he is faster and stronger than every engine on Sodor; even Gordon! In this film Tobias is a diesel/steam hybrid which has caught the attention of Montague who wants to reclaim what's his....... Amid all this there are ulterior plots, fight scenes and even the occasional death of someone. That's right; the trains actually fight each other and the fat controller does nothing to stop it!
As you can no doubt deduce without me going all out on the story line this film is unlike anything you will ever see from an official Thomas the tank engine production. It comes across as Thomas the tank engine thrown into a blender with several other films. The result is like Marmite; you'll either love it or hate it. It certainly is not something marketed for younger children.
If you want something more faithful to the source material; I cannot recommend this to you and it would be perfectly understandable if this is not to your taste. I personally take the film for what it is. It's not trying to follow the traditional writing style; rather it is trying to be an unusual mish-mash of various sources. If you plan to watch this; take it for what it is as the creator intended to go for something unique which he has succeeded in for the most part. Who it appeals to is a different story.
However some time after Tobias(Toby) comes to Sodor it's not long till it becomes something entirely different as the film begins to spiral into territory that will divide the fan base. One such example is Tobias soon discovering he is faster and stronger than every engine on Sodor; even Gordon! In this film Tobias is a diesel/steam hybrid which has caught the attention of Montague who wants to reclaim what's his....... Amid all this there are ulterior plots, fight scenes and even the occasional death of someone. That's right; the trains actually fight each other and the fat controller does nothing to stop it!
As you can no doubt deduce without me going all out on the story line this film is unlike anything you will ever see from an official Thomas the tank engine production. It comes across as Thomas the tank engine thrown into a blender with several other films. The result is like Marmite; you'll either love it or hate it. It certainly is not something marketed for younger children.
If you want something more faithful to the source material; I cannot recommend this to you and it would be perfectly understandable if this is not to your taste. I personally take the film for what it is. It's not trying to follow the traditional writing style; rather it is trying to be an unusual mish-mash of various sources. If you plan to watch this; take it for what it is as the creator intended to go for something unique which he has succeeded in for the most part. Who it appeals to is a different story.
