 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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The Little Engine That Could
- Review Date: March 17, 2011
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Young train fans will enjoy this message-filled ride.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this straight-to-DVD animated adventure is fine for even preschool-aged kids, especially those who love trains. There only potentially upsetting moments are a brief scene when a couple of bullies throw a snowball at a boy and then steal his grandfather's beloved pocket watch, and when a somewhat frightening Nightmare Train threatens Little Engine and her haul. The language includes mild insults like "annoying," "creepy," and "failure," but the message is a classic that all children should be exposed to: If you "think you can" hard enough, you can do anything, even if it seems impossible.
What's the story?
In Dreamland, a group of magical trains called Dream Haulers are responsible for delivering dreams and wishes to kids. But one small train, Little Engine (voiced by Alyson Stoner), is deemed too small to do anything but shunt boxcars in the train yard. One day, after an older train, Rusty (Jim Cummings), falls asleep on the job, a boy named Richard (Dominic Scott Kay) climbs aboard and is inadvertently shuttled back to Dreamland, where he accidentally causes the tunnel to the real world to collapse. The train-depot Tower (Whoopi Goldberg) demotes Rusty, so Little Engine offers to return Richard back home over dangerous old tracks on Dream Mountain. On their journey, a creepy Nightmare Train offers to help Little Engine, but he has other plans to trap Richard and his new pals -- a clown (Jamie Lee Curtis), a sock monkey (Jeff Bennett), and other toys -- in Dreamland forever.
Is it any good?
Based on the classic children's tale, this version of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD is original and features an expert voice cast that makes the characters come alive. Little Engine, Richard, and their friends have to overcome a number of obstacles -- mechanical, environmental, and emotional -- to make it over the mountain, and it's tense at times as our heroes attempt to outsmart the maniacal Nightmare Train. But Little Engine and Richard both learn to believe in themselves and the power they have to -- as The Sound of Music teaches -- "climb every mountain."
Some of the production values aren't exactly at Pixar-level quality (a scene's focus sometimes shifts abruptly, or the background won't be as detailed as it should be), but it's probably not something that little kids will notice.Think of it more on par with a daytime cartoon's prime-time special than a theatrical feature, and you won't be disappointed. Ultimately, this is a sweet story with pleasant characters and a message that will make kids want to try their hardest and to never give up.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message that if you think you can do something, you will. What does that mean? How does Little Engine beat the odds and everyone's expectations? Have you ever accomplished something others didn't think you could?
Does being too small keep Little Engine from taking on big tasks? How can kids learn from her example?
How does Richard's adventure in Dreamland help him when he's back in the Real World?
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AGE
This is a great movie. My 3 year old loves it! It is a great fit for a boy or a girl.
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AGE
We put this movie on for a group of kids (ages 3.5 to 8) and every one of them was scared. I can't believe it is rated acceptable for ages 4, my son (3 and half) actually cried he was so frightened. I would not recommend this for kids under 7.
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AGE
Way too scary!
This movie was way to scary for my kids (4 and 6). We couldn't make it through the whole movie. My 4 year old stopped watching after the train almost fell off the scary bridge and the boy dangled over the abyss. My 6 year old stopped watching after the incredibly scary Nightmare Train. It was really frightening! The overall message of the movie may be good, but if you can't make it that far into it, even to see the resolution with the Nightmare Train, then the goodness is lost.
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AGE
Nice gender neutral movie, cute characters, and nice message.
My 5 year old loved this movie. She did curl up in my lap during the nightmare train scenes, but overall, she really enjoyed it.
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AGE
adorable characters and great message
This movie was awesome. I hear my son saying, "I think I can," whenever I ask him to do something. The train is a great role model. It has really taught my son that he can do anything if he will just try. There are a couple of edge of you seat scenes. If your children are really easily frightened, this is probably not the movie for them. There are a couple of bullies and a nightmare train that may be a little much for some youngsters. My son (4), usually easily frightened, got a little worried, but when I explained that everything would be ok, he was fine and made it to the end of the movie. He now wants to watch it over and ove (50 times a day). He understands that even though it is a little creepy for a few minutes, everyone will be ok.
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AGE
A few scary parts.
It's a little scary. My boys enjoy it, but I have to sit there and fast forward through a few parts - the nightmare monster is a little intense. My 5 year olds are just now comfortable with it, but the 3 year old finds it too much. It's 95% good ... I'm also a little uncomfortable with the bullying scene that starts the movie. It's well intentioned and helps provide an educational message, but if you're looking for an easy 'Winnie The Pooh' style movie, this is a bit more than you'd expect.
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AGE
Super cute movie with a great message
My 2.5 yr old absolutely loves this movie. He sees the picture on the tv for this movie on netflix and points at it and says "choo-choo" and then as soon as I push play he gets a big smile and says YAY!! and claps his hands. He isn't scared by the Nightmare Train at all. And its really cute to see him kinda sing along with the songs. Love this movie and would totally recommend it to others.
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AGE
A very good message.
My son is two, and he loves this movie. He never gets scared, and it seems like we watch it everyday. I can see why the nightmare train would be scary.. but it has never effected my son he gets excited every time we push the play button.
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Kid, 3 years old
September 1, 2011
AGE
Kinda scary
Definitely not toddler-age appropriate. Its very cute but has some scary scenes such as the bully who steals and the nightmare train. Graphics for these scenes could have been made a little 'softer' for this otherwise cute movie. I would prefer my child not watch this until he is older.
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AGE
Positive message about trying your best
My 2 year old loves this movie and wants to watch it every day. At first he thought the Nightmare Train was a little scary, but now he's not even phased by it. When he has a hard time doing something, we just say "Be like the Little Engine" and he says "I think I can, I think I can" and usually gets through the task. My 5 year old son enjoys it as well and tolerates it more than Sesame Street. Strong message about not giving up, good for talking about bullying and nightmares.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, book characters, friendship, trains |
| Studio: | Universal Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Elliot M. Bour |
| Cast: | Alyson Stoner, Dominic Scott Kay, Patrick Warburton, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 82 minutes |
| DVD release date: | March 22, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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