Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Metascore
19 out of 100

Overwhelming dislike - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 15 out of 23
view
per page
  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Loren King
    75
    A train worth catching.
  2. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    58
    The film is inoffensive, and Baldwin is fun and engaging.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    50
    Something of a mess.
  4. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Bob Graham
    50
    This land of sweetness and light may appeal to many, but to some it is going to seem like living hell.
  5. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    50
    An archaic rail-ride into the heart of boredom.
  6. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    50
    A welcome alternative to such hyperkinetic drivel as Pokémon.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    50
    Has the look of a great fairy tale -- all that's missing is the tale.
  8. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    40
    The plot keeps switching tracks.
  9. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Monica Eng
    38
    Children's films can be thrilling affairs for parents and kids. Unfortunately, this film is not likely to thrill either group.
  10. TNT RoughCut
    Reviewed by: Susannah Breslin
    30
    Confusing to anyone who's familiar with the word "plot."
    All this critic's reviews
  11. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    25
    An inept assembly of ill-matched plot points, meandering through a production that has attractive art direction (despite the immobile mouths).
  12. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Kevin Baxter
    25
    Skip the movie and pick up the videos at Toys R Us.
  13. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Paul Malcolm
    20
    If you're above the target age of 5, Thomas may coax you into a naplike stupor.
  14. Film.com
    Reviewed by: John Hartl
    20
    Only very small children are likely to be satisfied.
  15. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Tom Keogh
    20
    Nearly incomprehensible story.
  16. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Gene Seymour
    20
    Lays thick, goopy layers of uplift on what should be lighter on the heart and stomach.
  17. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    20
    Mr. Baldwin's attack -- there's no better way to put it -- is unforgettable. He's the first shrunken narrator with a serial killer's swagger.
  18. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    12
    Disheveled tripe pieced together with the good intentions.
  19. Variety
    Reviewed by: Derek Elley
    10
    All mish-mash.
  20. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    10
    A big, fat clunker.
  21. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    0
    Skin-crawlingly awful.
  22. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    0
    Even Amtrak hasn't seen a derailment this godawful in some time.
  23. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    0
    An ugly and insipid film.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
  1. MovieLonely94
    5
    Thomas The Tank Engine has been known for being the most popular TV show made for children of all ages and it goes on for generations ever since, and for some reason, it was based on the Shining Time Station TV show (the only show that I've haven't watched). I have one question before I start reviewing this movie that was based on the show: Is it fair to make fun of a movie you like from your childhood? Hardly, but I've got no time to waste. Time to review.

    The story focuses on Mr. Conductor as his magic gold dust is running low. Desperate to find it in order to get back to Shining Time, he embarks on a journey to Sodor to find the magic gold dust there. Meanwhile, Thomas the tank engine tries to find off the attacks of the evil Diesel 10 before he finds the lost steam engine and destroys it. Getting all the help from his cousin, his new friend Lily, and her grandfather, Mr. Conductor helps find the engine that has been hidden for years in order to find all of the magic gold dust that has also been hidden.

    What's so bad about this movie? The storyline was inconsistent, in my opinion. It had a lot of flaws and plot holes I don't even know how many they were. The storytelling was very poor, and even the script was so bland.

    What's so good about this movie? The cinematography was creative, the acting wasn't half bad, the pacing was good, the visuals were great the music score was very good, and most of all, it had the potential of the TV show despite the fact that the critics said it got americanized.

    Thomas and the Magic Railroad isn't good nor horrible either. It's a very mediocre family movie, but at least they brought the TV show to life on screen. It's worth a watch on VHS and DVD only.

    5/10    … Full Review »
  2. MikeS
    1
    This is an absolutely terrible movie even by the standards of my 2 year old. It is poorly acted, poorly scripted, poorly shot and doesn't even give much screen time to the steam engines (the main reason my 2 year old wanted to watch it). One big long non-sequitur that makes Teletubbies seem like Shakespeare. There is nothing here for your kid. There is nothing here for you. Don't waste your time or money.… Full Review »
  3. TTWR
    8
    It's good overall, but it has many plot issues, considering the fact that the introduction to the engines is bad, leaving firs-timer Thomas and Friends watchers having to stop and watch the TV show before they can understand what's happening. 8/10… Full Review »
See all user reviews »