587: The Great Train Robbery (G, 2000)

In 587: THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, Alex (Nick Abeel) is the kind of kid who fits out his soapbox racer using an astonishing array of household items that he never got around to mentioning that he was taking. Of course his parents forgive him for appropriating their utensils, after he promises never to do it again. He doesn't quite keep that promise, though, when he comes upon a splendid old train on its way to the scrap heap. He is determined to find a way to save it. But that means that he has to find a way to get it to the museum, and the only way to get it there is to drive it. With the help of a spunky online friend (who has access to the track and switch information) and the train's old engineer, Alex saves the day.

This movie is a clear labor of love for the film-makers, and will be a hit with kids, especially those who love trains. Parents will want to talk to their children about some of Alex's choices, especially his decision to drive the train without talking to his parents, and they will want to talk about whether what Alex did counts as stealing something that was not his. But they should also talk about how good Alex and his friends are at problem-solving, and about Alex's ability to see the possibilities in the objects all around him.