Everyone's favourite talking locomotive returns in this latest adventure to hit the big screen. Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails is set on the island of Sodor where Thomas is pitted against his rival Spencer.
They engage in an all-out battle for supremacy, with Thomas determined to silence the hated Spencer and rule the place.
As they race across the island, Thomas' brakes fail and he runs into an abandoned Japanese engine named Hiro. Hiro's afraid he will be discovered by the Fat Controller and sent to the scrap-metal yard. Hiro, the first Asian engine in the series, wants to return to his glory days when he was the idol of Japanese trains.
Thomas enlists the help of his friends to repair Hiro, but encounters opposition from a suspicious Spencer who is hoping to sabotage their plans.
The film teaches viewers the value of friendship and teamwork. More importantly, it conveys the message that, with hard work, even little trains can climb the highest mountain. The word 'hero' in the title is significant. In the end, both Thomas and Hiro are heroes in their own way: Thomas for helping to repair Hiro, and Hiro for never giving up on his goal to return home.
For the first time in the series, the film features computer-generated imagery. It is a stunning visual upgrade from clay model animation of the original TV and film versions. The movie also marks the 65th anniversary of the franchise.