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Parents have lashed out over the new Thomas the Tank Engine cartoon movie claiming the train looks so ‘menacing’ it’s making their children cry.
Parents have expressed their disliking of the new Thomas the Tank Engine cartoon movie after it’s re-designed Thomas train looks so ‘menacing’ they claim it’s actually made some children cry.
Some youngsters who had been looking forward the seeing the Race for the Sodor Cup with Thomas & Friends in an all-action movie adventure – which is slated for a UK premiere in cinemas on Friday 17th September – were left disappointed and even scared after seeing pictures and watching the trailer.
One mum revealed back in 2018 why she loves the new Thomas and Friends makeover.
The face and voiceover of the popular locomotive look different from the TV series version normally seen on Thomas and Friend’s that parents say their children are not happy with the change.
One parent asked, ‘Why have they made him look like Dennis the Menace? It’s frightening. My five-year-old son is so upset,’
Another revealed, ‘My Thomas-obsessed three-year-old said ‘That’s not Thomas!’ A third said: ‘My six-year-old daughter almost cried. She hates it.’
A third unhappy parent wrote, ‘Please tell me it is only this movie the animation has changed for. So disappointing.’
While a fourth parent added, ‘Just show it to my son. He’s so disappointed with the change and voices. He said it’s not Thomas any more & doesn’t like it.’
But some are happy with the change, one parent wrote, ‘Looks great Thomas looks like a good film so much entertainment’.
And another added, ‘Barclay isn’t impressed with the changes but still wants to go and see it x’
The much-loved children’s TV show has been running since 1984 and over the years tweaks to the production have been made.
Thomas started out as a 2D production with original theme tune music. But with the changes to how the programme is made, and to appeal to a different generation, Thomas has in recent years been filmed in 3D and had a revamp of its theme tune.
US toy giant Mattel, which bought Thomas’s owner for £500million in 2011, has masterminded the makeover, turning the characters into children, The Sun reports.
Mattel insists the characters are more ‘relatable for our pre-school audience’, telling the paper, “We appreciate older fans may prefer the version of the TV show with which they’ve grown up.”
A Mattel spokesperson said, “Updates introduced through Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go are targeted towards the next generation of fans – kids age 2-4 years, and their parents. Thomas & Friends is, at its core, about the importance of friendship, and we will continue to stay true to Thomas’ ethos and heritage while bringing the franchise to life creatively in new ways for today’s kids.”
The spokesperson continued, “Research with parents and kids informed key updates to the show, on everything from story structure to pacing to personality of characters. These insights, plus input from in-house early childhood development experts, have shaped the new series into a reflection of what kids and parents want to see on screen today.
They added, “In focus groups, we have observed children being extremely engaged in the new content – leaning in closer to the screen and dancing to the music. This was balanced with retaining key elements of what make the world Thomas & Friends so special for kids, such an emphasis on friendship and teamwork – and always a bit of cheekiness.”
Love it or hate it, parents will have to leave it up to their children to choo-choose whether to see it at the cinema.
If not there is always plenty of time to stream family films on Disney+ or catch the best movies on Netflix.
Snacks at the ready!
