Preach it James! I’d say it’s the most underrated Thomas movie. The drama is so raw and so much is at stake in this film - to the point where Percy almost leaves Sodor completely.
This was definitely a great film for the franchise that I kick myself for missing because I was yet to get back into the franchise. But now that I am, it's a top tier Thomas film for me.
@@DavidBContentExtravaganza3967 That's one of the few things I hate about SLOTLT, Thomas was a stupid idiot, Gordon was a jerk, Henry being the big scaredy cat as he had been in CGI and Sir Topham Hatt being impatient to listen to Thomas! SLOTLT is also the start of the Been there, done that trope and repeated the same concepts with Thomas. 1. Thomas wouldn't wake up because his fire wasn't burning, he gets cheeky with Gordon and gets in trouble (Thomas and Gordon). 2. Workmen try to stop Thomas, but he thought they were cheering for him and gets in trouble (Thomas' Train). 3. Thomas messes up big time and gets in trouble with Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas and the Trucks). 4. Thomas proves himself really useful to Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas and the Breakdown Train).
@@dylanlyles9453 That doesn't matter. It's nice to see that in CGI as well as model. SLOTLT is still a great film regardless of minor nit-picks. Besides, Henry is no longer a scaredy cat since Season 20 which fixes him.
@@DavidBContentExtravaganza3967 Oh but don't get me started on the two biggest things no one else seem to question: How the hell did Sailor John move the pirate ship from Arlesbrough at night without any engine noticing about it?!
The rush of adrenaline I had when I saw this video in my notifications was so unreal lol. Seeing a Thomas RU-vidr giving legitimate praise to my favorite special, which quite frankly goes under-appreciated by the fandom, makes me so happy.
Seeing not only this in my subscriptions but people like you saying how happy people like you get when watching this special, just like me, makes me so happy. They truly achieved making heartwarming stories in this era, and while the biggest character growth stories are diminished by the merchandising status quo, the fact that the Brenner era had writers that still cared for that still makes me happy. We don't get nearly enough Gator content than he deserves in this fandom. He's not only an inspiration to Percy, but he's one in spite of himself. He's a flawed engine. Not only he did what he did in spite of his own fears, but he also has his moments of thinking he knows best even when obviously he didn't, as Toad's Bright Idea showed. Oh and Marion is a precious little digging nerd, who's also a great mother in spite of herself and I will protecc her with my life.
I'd have loved this being a series 5/model series special. Imagine how great the models for Gator, Timothy and Marion would have been? I also love the idea of being a 6 part story, I guess 7 if you included Toad's bright idea. Another part of this special I love is that story, we've never had a episode that takes place during a special and it was a breath of fresh air. Shame they didn't do more, like there could be some great episodes on Sodor while they are all away at the great railway show. Definitely my favourite Thomas special. Its also so nice that everyone in this special had their reasons for being there not just to please fans or to sell toys.
My fourth favorite movie that really hits me hard with its tone. For the voice acting though, I only love the UK dub as Ben and Keith put their all-go into their respective characters to help drive the story better whilst Martin and Kerry really never put that much energy as they sounded either bored or not that interested, especially upon my latest rewatch two years ago. As for Reg, he was the biggest disappointment for me in this movie, as he only appeared in one scene and that's it. If they want Reg to be the newest character instead of being latest toy of the year, then a few scenes I would've added is this. While Percy was delivering the mail, James arrives at Crock's Scrap Yard where he slowly sneaks away with the scrap monster Reg created. However, his puffing noise only woke Reg up and shouts at him to bring it back, but already James was out of earshot. The next day after the Knapford scene, James brings the scrap monster creation back to the scrap yard where Reg gave him a forty lash talk. James meekly apologizes before racing off to find Percy. This might not give Reg more character, but anything's better than having one scene of said-newbie and nothing.
I do agree that I think the UK dub is the stronger dub for this move. But yes the newbies especially reg are very boring. Maybe your scene might have worked!
UnluckyTug stated that Percy feels like Percy in CGI Brenner era which includes Series 19-24 despite that his brave development is undone from Series 20.
Amazing review! On your idea of this being a movie that could have been done in the golden era of Thomas than "Magic Railroad", would "Tale of the Brave" be a showcase of the late David Mitton displaying his model and filmmaking skills on a cinematic scale?
One thing I think always funny is the fact that people think TOTB is overrated because Timothy and Rex are "boring" but the people love BMM and TGD. Stanley is also not a very well written character and expert Luke most BMM chararcters are also not very well written.
Nice editing style on this one. Whilst TOTB isn't my favourite, I do like how organically you express your points. It all felt "Yeah, yeah to be fair I can see where he's coming from" Is there a 'Least favourite' coming up?
Thanks dude I am glad you enjoyed. TBF after this video I am running short on video essay ideas other than the production history ones. Maybe a least favourite will have to be done!
While I think that Thomas and the Magic Railroad is the best Thomas movie, I will admit that Tale of the Brave is a great movie! Gater is an underrated character, I wish he had been given more episodes.... I love the song Monsters Everywhere, it reminds me of Heffalumps and Woozles from Winnie the Pooh! Though, there is one thing that does confuse me watch when I rewatch this film. The Clay Pits are shown here, despite it being destroyed in the Season 3 episode Heroes. So, did they have the place rebuild during the events of TATMR, S6, S7, the HiT-Era and the Nitrogen-Era? Plus, I kinda wished that Duck had shared the main role with Thomas, Percy and James. But, those are only minor things and that doesn't spoil my views on the film.
I had seen this film when I was thirteen, during my stage of puberty and I didn't think much of it. It was just something that I watched on a few Friday nights along with Markiplier playing Five Nights at Freddy's 1 and 2. Rewatching it again last Saturday, I felt that the show should have ended with this film as it felt like there wasn't anywhere else to take these characters, and knowing how the films that came out after this one made Thomas' character feel like he had regressed (especially in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure), the existence of those films kind of hurts this film's existence. If they wanted to do the same thing with Thomas' character from The Adventure Begins that they did in those films, then I think that they should have done some retellings of those old stories from the books, so that they could keep Thomas' cheeky persona in tact, and then have the films that they made keep his character as mature as he was here.
Technically, it's the only special that lives up to the shows name. (Thomas and FRIENDS) It's not Thomas centric, nor Percy, or James. Not its about all three of them. Hence, FRIENDS!
I really want to like this movie. But there are two things drying it down to just being okay for me. Percy & James. James is more easier for me to explain as I feel like this movie went too overboard with him being a jerk. Like yeah I know he's vain and boastful but he would never go out of his way to bully 1 of his friends to the point where they'd be too scared to pull the mail train. And Percy.. desr god. I get this was the movie that tried to put an end to his scaredy persona, but thats not the issue here. I really hate how he completely dismisses Thomas and the movie acts like he's the one in the wrong. Thomas, as very politely as he could, tells Percy that monsters aren't real and that he was probably seeing what he thought looked like a monster. THAT'S IT! But nooooo, Thomas is a big meanie head for not believing in Percy’s monster oh boohoo!! This is the equivalent of someone saying to you that they saw aliens and they react how Percy did when you tell them they don't exist. Even though I do have more issues with the movie like Gator feeling more like a personified moral than an actual character, Timothy and Reg contributing very little to the plot or the Cranky scene ending with Percy not being on the ship. But there is enough good in this movie for me to say it's worth watching. So I guess that's something to be grateful for.
I'm not against the idea of their friendship being tested, but Percy's reasoning for cutting ties with Thomas is incredibly stupid and the fact he is never reprimanded or even APOLOGIZES for his actions sends out a bad message to kids.
James gets a little too much hate in this movie so let's go through 2 criticisms: "James was unlikeable in this movie": James has always made fun of others just because they look different like Toby in S1 for example, although he had no reason. Even 5 seasons later he was still making fun of Harvey just because he looks different and what also hurt Harvey so he can also hurt someone or Whiff in S11 or about his weaknesses like Edward in Old iron , Edward's exploit , Edward the really useful and Edward the great Or because he can like Percy in S2 ,S6 and 17. Not to mention James only called Percy scaredy-cats It's also in real life that people make fun of other people even for no reason Jamss had at least a good reason when he shouted at Percy He became laughed at by the other engines and as we all know James hates when others make fun of him, however he had no idea how severe the effects of the prank would be and at least a better motivation than Spencer killing Hiro because he can.Not is to forget he is the "villian" so negative aspects are in the foreground. The start of James flandazization: Was this movie the start of James's flandazization of CGI series? No, not really. There was later until the S22 episode with Philip, there were always episodes where he felt like Classic James. Also, James is my favorite villain on the show.
