Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor (2017) User Reviews

0 real story

[CadenTheGWR1500ClassEngine · 6/10 · 2 April 2022]

Not a fan of this pointless movie, and I think this movie was weird was because of the bankruptcy of Arc Productions, HiT has turned themselves into Mattel, and has now done a lot worse with the franchise, and this movie was overrated, Beresford is one of the most ridiculous characters in history, they could've cut his appearances here and in Thomas and the Royal Engine, Merling is the Best experimental engine, Theo is shy and moves like he's having a breakdown, Lexi is unbelievably annoying, and Hurricane and Frankie and not great villains, the pacing was bad

6.5/10.

Been there, done that

[landona-99086 · 5/10 · 4 December 2023]

I wasn't all too impressed with this movie on my first watch. I did not care for the characters being able to unrealistically move their bodies, and I especially didn't care for the needless musical numbers. Also, the whole "Thomas goes to the mainland" felt overused. We've seen him do this in various episodes, and even one of the movies. It didn't feel like a genuinely epic journey. "We can't do anything" is really catchy, however. I loved seeing James take a more prominent role, but this movie felt too "meh" to really be on the same level as other Thomas movies. It didn't feel new or exciting.

Journey Beyond Sodor: the new adventures for 2017 and beyond

[tjk-57671 · 2 October 2017]

From watching the trailer, reading the reviews of everyone who also has seen the trailer and segment of the movie, the "endless" debate about how the new effects will affect the 22nd season of Thomas and Friends, and the complaining that this is nothing but a Thomas/Chuggington collaboration, but most importantly, watching the movie for the umpteenth time, its my turn to give my thought about if this series will be the end of Thomas and Friends as we know it, or the start of something new.

Body Language: The moment when I saw that Thomas and his friends are now able to use the same features as the characters from Chuggington, using "body language" I actually like the fact that it didn't stand out too much as to what everyone feared, maybe the effect was used a little too much, but none of the engines jumped off the rails, or did back wheelies. Why I liked it was because it gives engines more human quality, showing expressions and getting the message across t. Although the effect was used too much, the movie itself, in my opinion are experiments that the producers wanted to show to the audience what will happen in the future and give their feedback about what to change, do and so on.

target audience: Although i'm 25, each time I watch the newest movie or episode, I feel like 5 years old again but watch the audience in my range should understand is that the company itself is targeting towards families with the new generation of children that are being introduced to the Thomas franchise. None of them know about the models that were used in the earlier series, so none of them could possibly know how the series started.

Overall, I loved the movie, the new features, effects that will be used and with the way the company is going, especially with what happened in the movie itself, I hope that in the upcoming movies and episodes, we will get to see more of whats "Beyond Sodor".

No story

[weesusiekins · 1/10 · 2 September 2017]

We are huge Thomas fans normally and enjoy a huge range of Sodor films from the good old Ringo Starr ones right up to The Great Race. Unfortunately this film seriously lets down the whole franchise. I think the makers have tried too hard to explore a whole range of modern issues and in the confusion have forgotten that the most important thing is to tell a good story well! The songs are also awful. The DVD will definitely not be on our Christmas list!

The Most Important Thing Is That This Is Tolerable

[powellhjl · 5/10 · 30 December 2023]

Goodies: A Nice Concept Of Taking Place To The Steelworks

The Animation Is Still Great (In Most Areas)

Some Catchy Songs

The Details Of The North Western Railway Look Nice

James And Thomas' Rivalry

Merlin Is A Decent New Character

The Massive Aerial Shots Of Every Set Look Great

Henry's Crash Is Suspense-fully Amazing

Baddies: The Animation Was Ruined Due To Distracting Bouncing On The Trains

The Mainland Sets Look Rushed And Empty In Some Areas

It Has A Confusing Decision On Where It Takes Place In

The Other Songs Like "Who's Thomas" And "The Experimental Engines" Are Like Stretched Conversations

My Rate: Okay.

While not "perfect" in my eyes, it's been perfect for my two sons

[jacob-41675 · 10/10 · 18 November 2017]

Before I review it, what matters most are my kids' reaction to it: they LOVE this movie! Other than Hero of the Rails, this is the only other Thomas movie they've ever requested again and again, back-to-back. My sons are (currently) 2.5 and 5. And as for the music? Well, it's the first true "musical" Thomas movie: Six different songs, with the first and last based upon one another in order to start and finish the story arch. My kids can now sing all six songs by heart, in the car, in the bath, at daycare, at the dinner table. And if it wasn't enjoyable enough, it's PERCY who delivers the funniest, grown-up humored joke in the entire movie!

There are two significant, questionable (adult-upsetting) plot choices made by the production company in terms of how the story unravels. 1) Thomas outright STEALS a job from James, and as a result, Sir Toppemhat is complacent, and James is stuck unfairly pulling Thomas' branch line in his place. Thomas is never truly punished, scolded, or even given a talking to for his selfish actions. 2) Two trains working in what can only be referred to "train hell" - a molten steelworks factory - lure other unsuspecting trains into the factory and essentially entrap them because they, themselves, are overworked in their highly-dangerous professions and would rather be doing nothing except telling their "captives" what to do. Ultimately, they become friends with Thomas and the other new friends Thomas has made along his journey on the mainland... essentially rewarding the former captors for their misdeeds.

It's not a perfect story. Again, I've highlighted larger, adult-noticeable flaws. Otherwise, the movie itself is actually quite enjoyable as an adult to watch! The pacing is very good for keeping my kids attention; the songs are far from Grammy- or Oscar-worthy, but plenty fun enough for my sons to have memorized. I believe "catchy" is the correct word. I feel like modern toddler TV shows have moved towards the "act poorly and be rewarded" model - look at great shows like Curious George and Caiou (well, Caiou maybe not so great) as perfect examples.

And, perhaps most importantly, my kids didn't see the two plot issues I've had, but instead gleaned the positive messages: Even if you don't think you can do anything right, you should still always try; Friendship is more important than selfish pride.

So, after all this... I do so want to give it only 8 stars, but cannot! Because it's not really about what I think in this case, but what my sons think. And to them? This is perhaps the BEST movie yet. Musical Thomas movies are hopefully the way of the future! Combine the musical idea with better stories (like Hero of the Rails or The Great Race) and they'd have a superb toddler masterpiece.

Sinister story and mean characters overshadow some charming animation

[KAB_SanAntonioBay · 4/10 · 13 June 2021]

With three boys who have grown up watching Thomas, this is the one movie that no one wants to watch. This is a shame because the animation is great and there are some fun and catchy songs in here that the little ones really enjoy.

However, this soon becomes a story in which Thomas stumbles into various characters "beyond sodor" most of whom are either confusing or downright sinister.

What are we telling children here? That people and places beyond your back yard are scary and to be avoided?

This eventually becomes a story in which Thomas is held against his will to work for some other trains. The echoes of bullying and trafficking really are too much for a film aimed at young and very young children. At least Legends of the Lost Treasure (which also features a sinister character) sees Thomas largely in control and confident to challenge the "heel" of the movie.

I'd recommend looking to some of the other Thomas films for kinder stories, better role models and fewer threatening situations.

Higher The Rating

[olivertherobot · 10/10 · 2 September 2017]

STOP LOWING THE RATING!!!!!!! on his branch line, Thomas is feeling bright and sunny, whistling hello to everyone he meets. As he pulls into Knapford station, he is complimenting how wonderful the day is, and feels like bursting into song. He is then promptly interrupted by James, who is boastfully singing about how he believes he is the best engine on Sodor. As James pulls up to the platform, Thomas rolls up, telling him that he isn't the favourite engine and that he was going to sing a song. James calls out to everyone at the station that Thomas is going to sing, and everyone listens. Hesitant at first, Thomas is just about to sing, but James interrupts him and starts singing again about how he's the favourite engine.

Thomas meets up with James at Knapford station yard, once again insisting he's not Sir Topham Hatt's favourite engine. James begs to differ, boasting how he always gets the best jobs and teasing him for collecting pigs from Farmer Trotter.

That evening, Edward arrives at Vicarstown with the Judy and Jerome to help lift Henry back to safety, and Harvey handles the derailed trucks. At his office, Sir Topham Hatt is talking on his telephone and using a map and wooden trains to monitor the situation. Thomas overhears Sir Topham Hatt making plans for James to take Henry's trucks to a goods yard in Bridlington, where the trucks were meant to go. Thomas plans to tease James back over pulling a goods train, but James takes Thomas by surprise, as for the importance of the goods train, James is not bothered. Later that night, Thomas is upset. He complains to Percy about James' show-off attitude. Percy doesn't listen and leaves to collect the mail train. Frustrated with James, Thomas then has an idea to pay him out. I Love This Movie. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP LOWERING THE RATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No More Lowering The Rating!!!! Stop Lowering It! If you Lower It 1 More Time, You Will Regret It! No Lowering The Rating Allowed!

I like this movie although there are a lot of flaws.

[nicholasnick-07882 · 8/10 · 19 January 2022]

I personally grew up liking the HiT classic era, since I started loving Thomas the Tank Engine back in 2005, the show has really progressed and changed. This movie is one of my favorites, kind of like a prison break theme, and they delivered that. The only things that make this movie a little bit ehh for me is the movement...I HATE the stupid train movement, sometimes they're just standing still, and then sometimes they're bending almost sideways completely, it's really annoying and seems super weird for a Thomas & Friends movie. My second issue is Beresford, yeah I don't know what they were thinking, oh let's add a stupid crane that has no point to the movie for 5 minutes each scene, and not to mention, the song Who's Thomas is SO stupid. I don't mean to be harsh to this movie, because I really enjoyed it considering I like prison break theme of things myself. This movie to be honest is a mixture of good story and mischief, I love it a lot, the only grudges I have towards this movie are listed above, other than that, this movie is REALLY enjoyable.

The best for starting new memes

[megafagaming · 22 January 2018]

Looking for new MEMES? Well you come to the right place

Excellent Movie

[sonnyle · 10/10 · 17 November 2017]

This Thomas and Friends movie is highly one of the best so far for the franchise, however, it is underrated. Many people do not see the effort put into the animation, which has now slightly evolved, and the lessons learned. Remember! This is a kid's show and not for adults who will focus too much on unnecessary details. Many children, and adults including me, have found this movie memorable and its songs were catchy.