Search - Thomas and Friends: Thomas and the Really Brave Engine (Wooden Train Bonus Pack) on DVD

The Season 7 Stories Get Better & Better

John Lobel | Pittsfield, ME USA | 05/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A Kid's Review:

I love this VHS/DVD very much. These Season 7 stories are excellent just like the ones on "Hooray For Thomas," and "Percy Saves The Day." Here are the stories on it:

THOMAS AND THE SEARCH FOR FERGUS. Fergus the railway traction engine is the pride of the cement works. When devious Diesel arrives to help for a while, he tells a lie to Fergus that Sir Topham Hatt wants him to work at the smelter's. Fergus goes to the smelter's, but is scared and runs away out into the night. Luckily, Thomas goes out to look for Fergus, and finds him all alone. They go back to the smelter's, tell Sir Topham Hatt the truth, and Sir Topham Hatt says that he will send Diesel to the smelter's, and Fergus back to the cement works. This story is wonderful, and teaches you a lot about bravery and courage.

BAD DAY AT CASTLE LOCH. This is my favorite. Donald & Douglas miss Scotland, but then, Sir Topham Hatt tells them about Lord Callan's castle in Misty Valley being reopened, and a big celebration. The twins talk about the celebration with Percy and Harvey, and set off with their load of banners, bunting and bagpipes, but are blocked by a tree and landslide. When night falls, they see a scary monster coming towards them, but it's only Harvey who has come to rescue them with the breakdown crane. Soon they make it to the castle after clearing away the debris, and the opening is a great success. I think this is the best Thomas story ever, and Michael Brandon's Scottish voices for Donald and Douglas is sensational!

TOBY AND THE WINDMILL. Toby's favorite place is an old windmill, that can't make much flour. During the night, the windmill gets struck by lightning, and Toby is shocked when he sees it in the morning. Luckily, Toby has an idea. He finds an old tree that fell on the track, takes it to the miller, and after a long time of building, the new windmill is complete. This story is nice, and shows that you can make something old into something new.

THE RUNAWAY ELEPHANT. A new park is opening on the narrow-gauge railway. Duncan is so impatient, he bosses Rusty and Skarloey. Then Sir Topham Hatt tells Duncan to collect the elephant statue. Duncan collects it, without the brake-van, and then goes on a wild fast ride! Then Duncan hits the buffers, the statue flies through the air, and lands in the lake. The elephant statue is still standing in the lake for everyone to enjoy, even though it was a mistake. This story is perfect, and I swear, Michael Brandon's voice of Duncan sounds like the Count from Sesame Street!

JAMES AND THE QUEEN OF SODOR. James gets tricked by Gordon by taking a leaky old barge called the Queen of Sodor. James decides to do the dirty work anyway, and after crashing into a pipe full of sludge, James soon makes it to the workshops, still feeling shiny and clean. The ending is hilarious! All the engines groan at the end of the story, and it's so funny.

OLIVER THE SNOW ENGINE. This story is very sweet. Oliver hates snow because it's cold, but Toad loves it cause it's magical. They see some children building a giant snowman for a winter festival, and after collecting some goods, Oliver crashes into the snowman. Oliver has to stay outside all night while it's snowing, until help arrives in the morning. When morning comes, the children see Oliver, and say he's a wonderful snow engine. Oliver doesn't feel cold anymore, and he and Toad have a lot of fun at the winter festival. I love Michael Brandon's western voice he gave Oliver. He sounds like Pat Butram! His voice of Toad was great, too.

Finally, there's a funny song called "Troublesome Trucks." It's a song about trucks playing tricks on the engines. Awesome VHS/DVD. Great stories, beautiful music, and swell narration and voices by Michael Brandon. I love it!


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First Thomas For 2006

John Lobel | 01/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thomas Is Back in:
Thomas and the really brave engines
Our Story stops Are:
*James and the queen of sodor
*Snow engine
*Bad day at castle loch
*The runaway elephant
*Toby's windmill
*fergus breaks the rules
Music video: Troublesome trucks (OR) Never Never give Up!
Storyteller: Micheal brandon
Time: 35 Minutes
Out: Feb 7, 2006
Plus More thomas coming soon:
Track stars (feb 7)
Thomas comes to breakfast DVD (Feb 7)
tales from the tracks ( IN March )
So check Thomas dvds Soon!"

The downsides....

John Lobel | 04/01/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...Michael Brandon's narration. He makes Oliver sound western and stupid, Toad sound like a nerd, Duncan sound
Irish /Scottish, and Skarloey and Rusty sound too high-pitched. But the good thing is that, unlike Alec Baldwin, uses a Scottish voice for Donald and Douglas. I really appreciate that. Another downside is the new music. I don't know why HIT Entertainment wants to realease the Season 7 stories on VHS/DVD with the new Season 8/9 background music. It really sucks. At least at the end is a Season 7 song like "Percy Saves the Day" and "Hooray for Thomas". It's called "Troublesome Trucks". It's very catchy. I would reccomend this, but I'd rather you get the British version that still has the old music."