ThomasNATION Classic Reviews - The Phantom Express

October 22, 2022




One of the reasons why classic Thomas the Tank Engine triumphs over modern day content in the franchise is because it told all kinds of genres of stories and that was part of its universal appeal. Kids that liked action could enjoy the fast-paced runaway episodes, kids that liked comedy could enjoy the funny episodes and kids that liked creepy stuff could enjoy the spooky episodes. Variances in tone expand a child's perspective of the world, it makes them look at the world in a different way and helps them learn what kinds of genres they enjoy. It helps build perspective and in terms of tone, I think the spooky episodes are what classic Thomas excelled at the most. The atmosphere of Thomas' spooky episodes is unmatched. When it came to visuals, these were always top-notch. But you guys already know how I feel about that kinda thing, so why don’t we get into the episode? So as we celebrate this month of tricks and treats, let's grab our tickets and hop on board Percy's post train to Ulfstead Castle as we're about to meet 'The Phantom Express'!
THE PHANTOM EXPRESS: James scares Percy and Stephen with a spooky tale.

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As much as I am a fan of Keith Wickham, I really don't like how he voices James and Percy in some parts of the episode since they sound too robotic in the UK dub at this time and that's probably because I'm so used to Nigel Pilkington and Rob Rackstraw since they took over Keith's roles as James and Percy and they have something more natural in their voices.  Don't get me wrong, Keith Wickham is still a great voice actor but I think he's better voicing characters that share his voice in both dubs since he sounds more flexable and natural and it shows.  As for the episode, I do like the James and Percy dynamic since we haven't had an episode like this with both of them in the spotlight since Season 3's 'Percy, James and the Fruitful Day' even if Season 6's 'Jack Frost' came into mind while watching this episode.  I also like the foggy dark atmosphere of the Ulfstead Castle grounds as it's admittingly better than what Nitrogen Studios pulled as their fog or mist grew to be more thick and how Stephen is this wise old engine with some snide remarks but he still gets nervous about some things.
However with that said, there are some moments I think should've been 'show, don't tell' moments like Percy thinking that James' puffing sound was Stephen but we have the narrator saying 'but it wasn't Stephen, it was James' since the visual of James puffing around the corner and seeing his cheeky face is enough to tell the audience that it was him. I know there might be some visually impaired kids who watch the show, but you also have the sound effects that they would identify the characters with particulary the whistles.  Also, there are some usual problems with Arc's animation like when Percy's mail van disappears and reappears while telling Stephen about 'The Phantom Express' and when James pulls into the castle. Plus as Percy was at the castle, he looked angled slightly. But of course with Stephen's old age, you'd think the dude would know what an owl would sound like. However in the end, 'The Phantom Express' is still a good episode and I enjoy it around this time of year even if I think the spooky episodes from the Classic Series of Thomas & Friends were way better and that is why I'm giving 'The Phantom Express' a rating of a 3.5 out of 5.

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