Thomas and the Magic Railroad (G) ★½
The little tank engine that could hooks up with Hollywood for his newest adventure.
Story
Based on the children's books that spawned an internationally successful television series, the film takes big-screen audiences to the magical island of Sodor. Thomas and his engine friends are working under the jolly Mr. Conductor (a superhappy Alec Baldwin), who uses magic dust to travel to the human world. But he's losing his sparkle (literally), and the secret lies somewhere with a magic railroad and lost engine (it gets a little thin from there). A vacationing 12-year-old (Mara Wilson) visiting her grandfather (Peter Fonda) factors into the story. The point of the story is that little engines could do big things, but that point is mostly drawn by repeated declarations.
Acting
Who knew Baldwin was this chipper? Although a little jarring at first, Baldwin -- to his credit -- throws his entire self into Mr. Conductor, not once hinting that he's just doing the film as a favor. Fonda is on the other end of the spectrum, playing a melancholy grandfather as gracefully and subtlely as Baldwin is flashy. Wilson isn't given a whole lot to do but tag along and appear in awe, but the laughs come from Michael E. Rodgers, who plays Baldwin's beach loving Scottish cousin, adding some much-needed slapstick.
Direction
''Thomas'' director Britt Allcroft gives the film a bright, colorful texture, mixing live action and animation. But when trains don't move their lips as they talk (their mouths seem to freeze in various expressions throughout the film, while the eyes roll), the movie feels dated.
Bottom Line
The magic dust seems to work on kids, but adults will likely hitch a ride back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starring Alec Baldwin, Peter Fonda, Mara Wilson, Didi Conn and Russell Means.
Directed by Britt Allcroft. Produced by Britt Alcroft and Phil Fehrte. Screenplay adapted by Britt Allcroft. Released by Destination Films.
To get the full Quicklook Films experience, uncheck "Enable on this Site" from Adblock Plus
box office top 10
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Released: May 10, 2024 Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan 56.5M
The Fall Guy Released: May 3, 2024 Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt 13.7M
Challengers Released: April 26, 2024 Cast: Zendaya, Josh O'Connor 4.7M
Tarot Released: May 3, 2024 Cast: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley 3.5M
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Released: March 29, 2024 Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry 2.5M
Unsung Hero Released: April 26, 2024 Cast: Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone 2.3M
Kung Fu Panda 4 Released: March 8, 2024 Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina 2M
Civil War Released: April 12, 2024 Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura 1.8M
Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Released: May 3, 2024 Cast: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson 1.5M
Abigail Released: April 19, 2024 Cast: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens 1.1M