Well, all I have to say was bad about this movie was when Diesel 10 threatened to destroy Lady. His behavior may be badly exampled for kids.
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Thomas and the Magic Railroad
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 4. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Will please its many fans, but might confuse kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 4 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Parents need to know that even though this movie is rated G, there's some violence and peril, though no one is hurt. It's also mildly troubling that the female characters are so passive -- when Lily gets off at the wrong stop, she just sits there and waits for someone to help her, and Lady, the only female train and the only train that is supposed to be powerful enough to defeat the diesel, never confronts the bully. She just runs away from him. Some children may be upset by the references to Lily's grandmother who died, and parents may get some questions about that.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the meaning of "the three R's" -- the conductor and the trains must all be responsible, reliable, and "really useful." Family members can give examples of how each tries to accomplish those goals. Families can also talk about the meaning behind "little engines can do big things," and what makes some people want to act like bullies. Lily gets on the wrong train and does not know how to find her grandfather when she gets off. Families can talk about what a child should do if separated from parents.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
OK
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A hit with my 3 yr old
It's a cute movie for the family. The only "scary" part is with Diesel chasing down some of the trains with his claw, but my 3 year old handled it surprisingly well. He said that Diesel is a mean train, and that in the end he winds up in a ditch. It has some cute moral lessons about responsibility, families sticking together, and Peter Fonda is wonderful as the gruff, reluctant grandfather. The little girl is adorable, and all of the human characters are cute. My son had no trouble following the plot - and I welcomed a slightly complex plot from a kids' movie. Fine for 3 +.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
Scarier than you might expect
My 4 year old loves to play with the Thomas trains and so I took him to see this movie. It was way too scary. Diesel has a menacing, chomping steam shovel to chase Thomas and his friends with. He's also got a really scary laugh. Too much emphasis on scary bullying and there isn't really a clear lesson or message from the story. Definitely don't make this among the first feature films for your preschooler to see.
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