Plot: What’s it about?
A potential disaster on Sodor has been averted, thanks to two new engines, the firefighters Flynn and Belle. These new friends lend a hand to Thomas and Percy just in the nick of time, so trouble was avoided. Of course, Thomas wants to get to know his new pals, so he begins to spend a lot of time with the two firefighter engines. This leaves Percy out in the cold somewhat, so he decides to find new companions himself. This leads him to the Dieselworks, where he makes an unlikely friend in Diesel 10, perhaps the most devious engine of all. But Diesel 10 is able to make Percy think his intentions are friendly, which helps him advance his plans to take over the Steamworks. Will Percy find out the truth in time and can the Steam Team manage to protect the Steamworks, or will Diesel 10 become the master over all engines?
This latest Thomas & Friends movie is perhaps the best of the stand alone releases, but in a bit of a twist, Thomas isn’t the main star of the show. The beloved tank engine is here of course and a main player in the plot, but it is Percy who takes center stage in Day of the Diesels. But that works out well, as the story is well crafted and there is no shortage of entertainment. Diesel 10’s return is fun to watch as well, as his interactions with Percy are well written and performed. I think fans will also enjoy seeing the Dieselworks in all its glory, which is another draw. The animation is good, not on par with feature film level releases of course, but solid and in line with the usual Thomas & Friends style. While some will dislike Thomas’ diminished role in Day of the Diesels, Percy steps up well and between him, Diesel 10, and several new additions, there is plenty for fans to like here. So if you know someone who is a fan of Thomas & Friends, Day of the Diesels is a worthwhile release.
Video: How does it look?
Day of the Diesels is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. This is a terrific transfer, one that shows off all the animation’s details and has bright, rich colors. I didn’t expect a lot in this area, but the visuals really shine and there is a lot more depth in this animation than you might assume. All in all, I can’t imagine this material looking better than it does here.
Audio: How does it sound?
A DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack is present and sounds quite good, given the material involved. The surrounds don’t roar to life all that often, but this track has a pleasant, active presence. The music sounds great and dialogue is crystal clear, which are the important issues in this case. This release also includes English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
In addition to a DVD version of the movie, this release also includes two karaoke videos, a look at how different engines work, and an interactive game that features Flynn.
