Team Up with Thomas DVD Review

This May 19th release of the beloved trains of Sodor Island features a new character, Mr. Arkwright, a new engine driver. His appearances are made during live action segments. He shows children the employee breakroom. During Team Up with Thomas, Mr. Arkwright has an important task to complete: Make a cardboard engine for Sir Topham Hatt's grandchildren! Mr. Arkwright's welcome addition will not appear on television broadcasts of Thomas and Friends, but only on DVD releases.

The animated adventures continue to uphold Rev. Awdry's original stories' valuable lessons in cooperation, respect for oneself and each other, completing tasks, and following directions. The Team Up with Thomas DVD's emphasis is, of course, team work and cooperation in work and play. Children will recognize themselves and their peers as they watch the trains work, play, make mistakes, but ultimately do a job well done.

The DVD includes a Roary the Racing Car bonus episode, "Roary Takes Off." When Roary is accidentally filled with helium instead of an engine cleaner, he gets a new view of the world. The addition of a Roary episode complements the Thomas and Friends stories. Roary's eagerness to become the best race car leads to an ocassional mishap, but always ends happily with new life lessons learned while having fun.

Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate have released a limited Edition set that includes a well made wooden Thomas the Tank Engine toy. The cost is just a couple of dollars more, but the toy would cost several dollars more at most retailers. Thomas & Friends: Team Up with Thomas with Thomas Toy

Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas DVD

Team Up with Thomas DVD Synopsis
Everyone's favorite true blue engine, Thomas, is back with friends old and new in four fun adventures on the Island of Sodor in Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas. This DVD is enhanced with state-of-the-art CG animation and a new live-action host, Mr. Arkwright, who welcomes viewers with a smile and a fun project for Lady Hatt's grandchildren. Thomas, Edward, Toby, James and the rest of the engines introduce young engineers to Hank, a big, strong, new engine, and Flora, a lovely new lady steam engine. Together, they take us along on their tasks around the island. Be careful: trouble may lie around the next bend. But one thing's for certain - you'll always come home with a brand new friend!

Episodes include:

"Heave Ho Thomas" - Sir Topham Hatt asks Thomas to show Hank, the new engine, around the island. Thomas quickly rails against Hank's brash personality and refuses to let Hank help him with his important jobs. When overloaded, Thomas cracks a cylinder and needs Hank's help. The two soon become good friends.
"James Works It Out" - It's winter on the island and James is telling everyone he always knows best and never needs advice from anyone! When Hector tries to warn him about the bad weather, he decides to ignore him. He soon changes his mind when they get stuck in the snow. Luckily, Hector is happy to help his friend James.

"Tram Trouble" - Toby is very excited about leading the parade at the first Great Waterton festival, so when Thomas discovers that Flora, the new steam tram, is also leading the parade, Thomas is worried his friend will be upset. Thomas tries to impede the forthcoming events…little does he know that Toby is scared of leading the parade on his own!

"Push Me Pull You" - The Puppet Show has arrived on the Island of Sodor and Skarloey excitedly asks Sir Topham Hatt if he can pull the puppet show special. The trucks are very heavy, and instead of accepting Rheneas' offer of help, Skarloey challenges him to a tug of war with the trucks. Disaster quickly ensues, and Skarloey learns that friendship is the strongest thing of all.

DVD Special Features
Spot the Difference Game
Sir Topham Hatt's Helping Hands
Bonus Episode: Roary™ the Racing Car - "Roary Takes Off" The all-new TV series from the creators of Bob the Builder™

DVD Technical Features
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 46 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital

Children can have fun at the Thomas and Friends official website