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Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 3.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Typical Thomas tale with mild peril; fun for fans.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, honesty

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Kids learn about the value of honesty and compassion.

  • Messages:

     The movie is all about helping those in need, cooperating with friends, and dealing with bullies.

  • Role models:

    The characters are all basically well-intentioned, with the exception of Spencer, who comes around by the end. Thomas and his friends don't always make the right behavior choice initially -- Thomas tries to keep Hiro a secret at first -- but they learn to help and support each other.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Thomas gets lost on an abandoned train track after his brakes fail during a race with Spencer. He’s frightened when he first encounters Hiro.

  • Consumerism:

    Thomas the Tank Engine has a wide range of books, toys, clothes, and other merchandise. This film introduces three new characters, which will no doubt be available in stores soon.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails

Parents need to know that the latest Thomas & Friends movie will not disappoint aficionados of the industrious tank engine. The franchise mostly sticks to its formula of good-natured yet sometimes squabbling engines performing their daily tasks. But action and intrigue figure prominently, also, resulting in some mildly intense scenes; for example, Thomas careens onto the wrong track and gets lost in the woods. Another engine gets in trouble when he helps Thomas keep a secret from the others. In typical Thomas fashion, though, the action is pretty tame, and by the end, the engines learn important messages about honesty, compassion, and friendship. This movie introduces several new characters to the Island of Sodor -- Hiro, Kevin, and Victor -- so don’t be surprised when your kids want to add to their toy collection.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how telling the truth is almost always better than keeping a secret.
  • Spencer is pretty mean to the other engines. How does it feel to be bullied, and why do people (or engines) bully others? What should you do if someone is mean to you?
  • Why is it important to help someone in need?
  • How do Thomas & Friends movies help to sell other products?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    wisconsingirl10
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Flag as inappropriate

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