Or so it seems in this ensemble. It is as if a bunch of toy execs came up with some new ideas and needed to write them into the mythos. If you love classic Thomas you won't get any of it here. It's calculated to push product, from the new (and DULL) construction machines - a pilot for a spinoff and two big new variations on Gordon: stuck up Spencer and grumpy Murdoch-neither of whom has any appeal.
The new female engine Emily again seems plotted as a transparent means of attracting little girls. Unfortunately her character is (and will continue to be) thinly written and stereotyped. If they want to attract girls they need to understand them better. I doubt anyone will warm to a train portrayed as alternately cluelss and bitchy.
The series doesn't need new hardware. It needs some writers with a little heart and love for the characters-and the kids.
Toddlers will sit through this but it lacks the magic and charm of the earlier stories.

My son is a Thomas addict and a construction addict. So he was completely enchanted with the new character Jack the Loader and the adventures at the quarry with the rest of the construction vehicles. He asks for this video again and again.

This has to be one of the worst cases of misrepresentational packaging that I have ever seen. The cover art shows a happy Thomas with a happy Spencer. Then the first story goes on to tell how arrogant Spencer is and how he gets his comeuppance - and Thomas is not even a main character in the story. My three-year-old son watched this story then asked me to turn the DVD off! My husband and I talked him into sitting down with us to watch the rest of the disc and we were very disappointed. Thomas is mean to Emily when she accidently takes his coaches. Murdoch is rude to his new shed-mates. And the two Jack the Loader stories feature a bullying dump truck named Max. This won't get a lot of replays at our house.

I likd this tomas movy. It wuz good. I thot that the nu trans were clo. Spncer gets stucks on a hlill and Gordon helps.you willlove this mvoi. I jsut rote a rview.

Thomas & Friends comes up with many new characters, and some of them they just give only one or two stories, but each new character adds to the wooden and take-along trains sold as toys.

Let me start out by introducing the new characters. First of all, there is Spencer, the British Mallard who belongs to the visiting Duke and Duchess of Boxford. He appears in "Gordon And Spencer" and "Edward The Great" but since he is very popular, he'll probably make more appearances in future videos.

Next, there is Emily, the old fashioned engine with large inner wheels. She has her own stories, but maybe that's just because female engines aren't shown very often.

Next, there is Murdoch, the big strong engine. So far he has appeared in "Peace And Quiet" and "Best Dressed Engine," plus he did a cameo in "Percy And The Flying Carpet."

Second to last, there is Arthur, a big red tank engine who plays by the rules. So far he has apeared in "The Spotless Record," "Fish" and "Something Fishy."

Finally, there is Jack the front loader and his construction crew. They appear in "Jack Jumps In" and "A Friend In Need," but since there are so many vehicles, they should also make future appearances!

Overall, I would give this 5 stars anyway because their stories so far were very good. They overcome their problems and teach viewers how to get along. I would recommend adding this video to your collection.