Mike's Whistle: ThomasNATION Review (by Andy and Team)
January 31, 2017
Andy, Wellsworth1888 takes the pen as he writes his first ThomasNATION review for the Small Railway RWS adapted episode, "Mike's Whistle."
Hey all! Andy here. This is my first review for ThomasNATION. Today I’ll be reviewing the season 20 episode, Mike’s Whistle, adapted by Andrew Brenner and originally written by the Rev. W. Awdry. This episode is my favourite of two Small Railway Engines adapted episodes.
The episode starts out introducing Bert and Rex. The narrator then introduces Mike.
Apparently, this is the second (in order) for the Small Engine Episodes, the previous being "Tit for Tat" (the first) and the next being "Useful Railway" (the third and last.) Thomas then puffs into view, laughing... This, in my opinion was totally out of place. Oliver could have easily replaced Thomas. While some agree it doesn't feel forced in "Tit for Tat", it does here.
Thomas proceeds to tell the engines that Duck’s whistle is making funny noises and the Duck’s driver boiled an egg on it. Thomas - even though, shoehorned - felt quite funny here. It was also a breath of fresh air to see that they didn't change this plot (of why Duck's whistle was faulty) and stuck to the original story.
Mike then boasts that his whistle is better than, any other engines’, his steam pressure goes so high that it causes his safety valve to blow off. "An engine without a whistle is an improper engine" he says, before whistling loudly.
Mr. Fergus Duncan, the small controller then walks into view and tells Mike he’ll have to take the passenger train. Mike doesn’t like passengers. The passengers say, "What a cute little steam engine”, Mike is and such and it makes him mad. His drivers "Behave, now" was really perfect.
Up to this point, the episode is really great, smooth, and it continues...
Now, we are told about how there are certain areas along the line where engines have to whistle, but Mike was whistling at everything. The railway realism here was really pleasing to see.
He then shoots his whistle cap off while whistling at a cow on the line. The whistle is lost... Now, the driver tries to find it but with no avail. This story - of losing a whistle - may feel a bit clichƩ, now, but what follows is really wonderfully written: the passengers whistle for Mike! This was really funny, and it felt lovely to see human interaction so good, as well!
When Mike returns to Arlesburgh West, Bert and Rex tease him about whistles, and being an imperfect engine. This sequence was quite funny. Finally, Mike warms up, and the end leaves you smiling...
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This is episode is truly amazing. It may be the fact that Mike is my favourite of the Arlesdale engines, which is why I like this episode so... But, This episode is a masterpiece. While Thomas felt a tad bit forced, at the end of the day, the positives far outweigh that one nitpick.
The animation is this episode is fantastic and lighting is great!
The voicing acting by, Rob Rackstraw (Mr. Fergus Duncan), Tom Stourton, Keith Wickham and Tim Whitnall was fantastic as well. They have really done a marvellous job, all of them... The music was great as well...
Overall, I quite enjoyed this episode! I loved it. And even though many stand to believe that it was bad in comparison to the other two counterparts, I think that it was the best of the lot... differing opinions!
My rating is 5/5.
Rating: 5/5
Other members, gave it a fairly positive review as well... The highest rating was 5/5, and the lowest 4.2 / 5. The final rating...
ThomasNATION Rating: 4.4 / 5
Stay Tuned for more reviews to come!
About The Author: Andy - Wellsworth1888
Follow Me on Twitter!
Hey all! Andy here. This is my first review for ThomasNATION. Today I’ll be reviewing the season 20 episode, Mike’s Whistle, adapted by Andrew Brenner and originally written by the Rev. W. Awdry. This episode is my favourite of two Small Railway Engines adapted episodes.
The episode starts out introducing Bert and Rex. The narrator then introduces Mike.
Apparently, this is the second (in order) for the Small Engine Episodes, the previous being "Tit for Tat" (the first) and the next being "Useful Railway" (the third and last.) Thomas then puffs into view, laughing... This, in my opinion was totally out of place. Oliver could have easily replaced Thomas. While some agree it doesn't feel forced in "Tit for Tat", it does here.
Thomas proceeds to tell the engines that Duck’s whistle is making funny noises and the Duck’s driver boiled an egg on it. Thomas - even though, shoehorned - felt quite funny here. It was also a breath of fresh air to see that they didn't change this plot (of why Duck's whistle was faulty) and stuck to the original story.
Mike then boasts that his whistle is better than, any other engines’, his steam pressure goes so high that it causes his safety valve to blow off. "An engine without a whistle is an improper engine" he says, before whistling loudly.
Mr. Fergus Duncan, the small controller then walks into view and tells Mike he’ll have to take the passenger train. Mike doesn’t like passengers. The passengers say, "What a cute little steam engine”, Mike is and such and it makes him mad. His drivers "Behave, now" was really perfect.
Up to this point, the episode is really great, smooth, and it continues...
Now, we are told about how there are certain areas along the line where engines have to whistle, but Mike was whistling at everything. The railway realism here was really pleasing to see.
He then shoots his whistle cap off while whistling at a cow on the line. The whistle is lost... Now, the driver tries to find it but with no avail. This story - of losing a whistle - may feel a bit clichƩ, now, but what follows is really wonderfully written: the passengers whistle for Mike! This was really funny, and it felt lovely to see human interaction so good, as well!
When Mike returns to Arlesburgh West, Bert and Rex tease him about whistles, and being an imperfect engine. This sequence was quite funny. Finally, Mike warms up, and the end leaves you smiling...
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This is episode is truly amazing. It may be the fact that Mike is my favourite of the Arlesdale engines, which is why I like this episode so... But, This episode is a masterpiece. While Thomas felt a tad bit forced, at the end of the day, the positives far outweigh that one nitpick.
The animation is this episode is fantastic and lighting is great!
The voicing acting by, Rob Rackstraw (Mr. Fergus Duncan), Tom Stourton, Keith Wickham and Tim Whitnall was fantastic as well. They have really done a marvellous job, all of them... The music was great as well...
Overall, I quite enjoyed this episode! I loved it. And even though many stand to believe that it was bad in comparison to the other two counterparts, I think that it was the best of the lot... differing opinions!
My rating is 5/5.
Rating: 5/5
Other members, gave it a fairly positive review as well... The highest rating was 5/5, and the lowest 4.2 / 5. The final rating...
ThomasNATION Rating: 4.4 / 5
Stay Tuned for more reviews to come!
About The Author: Andy - Wellsworth1888
Follow Me on Twitter!
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