THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD

Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a delightful little yarn for little children. Its live-action story, talking trains, animated effects and many virtues create a gentle adventure that young viewers will enjoy. Alec Baldwin is especially delightful as the whimsical Mr. Conductor, while Peter Fonda also gives an enjoyable performance.

The film’s low budget shows. Some dialogue may feel corny to older children, and the live action does not always fit smoothly with the animated special effects. The magic is not about becoming God, but relying on magical gold can still make things seem like salvation instead of God’s grace.

For a young family, this is a wholesome choice best enjoyed at home, with parents helping children discern its lessons.

Thomas lives in a world where trains talk to each other, while people live in the town of Shining Time. Mr. Conductor, a doll-sized traveler played by Alec Baldwin, uses magical gold dust to move between the two worlds.

A steam engine named Lady has been missing for many years, and an evil diesel engine wants to destroy her and the other steam locomotives. Thomas, Lily, Patch and their friends must learn to work together before the two worlds lose their connection.

The two-star rating means this is a pleasant but limited children’s film. The acting and direction are good, especially Alec Baldwin as Mr. Conductor and Peter Fonda as Burnett Stone. Baldwin’s performance is whimsical in a way audiences have not seen from him before.

The movie’s low budget is noticeable. Some of the dialogue may seem corny to older children, and there is some incongruity between the live action and animated special effects. Still, the film’s gentle adventure and moral lessons give it appeal for little children.

The film presents two connected worlds: one inhabited by people and another where Thomas and the other trains talk to each other. Its magic is central to the story, but the review distinguishes it from the kind of magic that teaches people they can become God. The story instead emphasizes cooperation, perseverance, happiness and responsibility.

That message is largely wholesome. Mr. Conductor learns not to give up, Junior Conductor learns responsibility, and Burnett learns how to be happy. The film’s basic lesson is that “helping each other brings to life the magic in all of us.” Still, its reliance on magic gold can suggest that things are our salvation instead of God’s grace.

The film points toward the biblical value of bearing one another’s burdens: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Thomas and the Magic Railroad offers young children a gentle adventure with good lessons about perseverance, responsibility and helping others. Its low-budget effects and corny dialogue make it better suited to a family viewing at home than a special trip to the theater. Our answer is WAIT FOR HOME. For more options, see.