Review: Misty Island Rescue – All pre-school animation should be this good

The latest big screen Thomas and Friends animation is released on DVD today.

Misty Island Rescue, which has just been previewed in cinemas across the UK, is now available for every young Thomas fan and just in time for Christmas.

The film, running in at 60 minutes, starts with a delightful 2D animation, accompanied by music promising adventure and mystery.

Misty Island Rescue, allocates different vocal talents to the fully animated engines, but the wonderful Michael Angelis as the dynamic and friendly narrator has been retained.

The quality of production, animation and storytelling is equal to the television series and the storyline full of personal learning, adventure and excitement.

The simple story follows Thomas getting lost at sea, following a series of ‘good decisions’. It introduces the mystical Misty Island and three new ‘Steamy’ friends Bash, Dash and Ferdinand.

Whilst parents will be left pondering how the three abandoned engines manage to maintain steam, youngsters will be gripped wondering if Thomas will be lost on the island or whether his friends will be able to save him from ‘the others’.

Of course, there will always be plot holes, mainly in the guise of the health and safety aspect of letting engines think for themselves. But, the story will entertain young children and there is nothing to offend or irritate adults forced to endure the DVD countless times.

The enduring and endearing nature of the Thomas and Friends brand is so successful, because despite its need to keep up-to-date with competitive technology, it has never lost the simple essence and moral lessons that were so much part of the Rev. W. Awdry’s original stories.

This is a genuinely brilliant Thomas and Friends DVD. A simple yet gripping story and fantastically produced. All animation aimed at pre-school children should aspire to be this good.

Thomas and Friends: Misty Island Rescue
Running Time: 60 Minutes
Release Date: 11 October 2010

DVD Extras include: Free Misty Island Rescue Book, The Search for Thomas Game, Sing-a-Long Song – The Misty Island Rescue Song.

Among various DVD extras, a short and ‘really useful’ child friendly documentary –  Down at the Station: Water – explains how steam trains run on water.

£12.99

Available from all major retailers