Pouty James: ThomasNATION Review (by Team)
November 16, 2016
Welcome to ThomasNATION! Its still time before we launch officially (that is January 2017. Check this space for more details.) but here's the team's review on the new Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James.'
Watch 'Pouty James'
Jainil Devani (ThomasFan3000)'s Review:
Andrew Brenner, with his explosive and welcome introduction in 2013, won my heart with his marvellous stories. And still, I love his and his current co-writers’ stories, possibly even more than Rev W Awdry.
Watch 'Pouty James'
Jainil Devani (ThomasFan3000)'s Review:
Andrew Brenner, with his explosive and welcome introduction in 2013, won my heart with his marvellous stories. And still, I love his and his current co-writers’ stories, possibly even more than Rev W Awdry.
Here we are with his ‘Pouty James.’ Truly, when Brenner said that James was one of his favourites, he meant it. Because he knows exactly how to handle him. The episode starts with flair and perfection, straight to the point. It was really wise of Brenner to add in what he possibly introduced in The Adventure Begins, last year: ‘Here’s James.’ It really carries the engine’s pride with it, and it shows.
From here itself, with his behaviour and dialogues, James’ ‘showing-off’ attitude is seen. And it is something that we’re seeing in many kids today - they like to be the ‘centre of attention.’ Some wonderful shots of the splendid red engine progress the episode forward. James’ showing off leads him to over-shoot and under-shoot the platform, and great discomfort to passengers. This was really well executed, and really good written. It was great that they included the ‘Mixed-Traffic’ term. The conversation between James and The station master was a really nice touch, instead of the Miller era, where the narrator would’ve done all the talking.
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| James in the Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James.' |
I really loved how The Fat Controller says ‘We are supposed to look after our passengers.’ Really shows how mature the show is, too. The Fat Controller’s punishment was only right. The scene at Tidmouth was really entertaining, and also was very well written. Friends are really helpful, and James just needs to change his attitude. The next day, pouty James is denied his job, but only later does he apologise and gets to carry cars. The Fat Controller’s line of ‘A to B’ was really a nice touch.
How his friends help him, teach him and James laughs with them is really educating. He has changed his attitude. The episode teaches a lot about positivity, how we should always keep a smile on our face - that solves half of our problems. We also have to do things we don’t like, but still we should be smiling. The moral of friendship was also there in the episode. Everything is easy with a small smile on your face!
How his friends help him, teach him and James laughs with them is really educating. He has changed his attitude. The episode teaches a lot about positivity, how we should always keep a smile on our face - that solves half of our problems. We also have to do things we don’t like, but still we should be smiling. The moral of friendship was also there in the episode. Everything is easy with a small smile on your face!
I genuinely loved this episode. It left me smiling. The moral was very great indeed, and very valuable. One which has never been seen before. James was very well-handled. It was a wonderfully written episode with a powerful plot, only made stronger by the splendid animation. Brenner does it again. Arc does it again.
Rating: 4.6 / 5.
About The Author:
Jainil Devani - @ThomasFan3000
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Nathan Bassett (ilovetrains323)'s Review:
Pouty James was over all quite a great episode. The mix of comedy and great story telling. Andrew Brenner brings his talent once again to prove that he is really knows what he is doing. While there are a few things that I have issues with, such as the many times James' front bogey sparks when he is racing around; It doesn't set it back from being a good episode. I for one am really glad to see that Mr. Brenner has brought back James' original personality of being self-centred and arrogant.
The voice acting a music was also very well done. Rob Rackstraw did a wonderful job at portraying the array of James' different emotions. From James' snooty attitude to his "Why does it matter what I want."
Seeing Stanley back in action was also very nice to see again. (At the time of writing this) It's currently unknown who voiced Stanley, but whoever did voice him did a wonderful job. The voice just seems to fit. All of the other voice actors did a wonderful job as well and I honestly would have loved to being in the recording booth when they were recording on the "funny faces" noises.
The music is also really nice to listen to. James' new theme is quite lovely and upbeat. Chris Renshaw is doing a wonderful job with the music for the series after the departure of the Hartshornes. Though they will be missed, the music in the episode is a sure reminder that the series' music is in good hands. (If only someone could explain that to Eggplant LF.)
My biggest problems with the episode aren't even anything major. If it were me writing it I probably would've avoided putting Thomas in the episode.
He wasn't really needed and could've easily be replaced with Percy or an engine like Charlie. I just feel they need to back off on Thomas a little bit. I understand he is the main character, But there are many shows where the main character hasn't been in an episode. There are also many very great episodes of Thomas that he isn't in or doesn't speak in.
Overall, Like everything it has its flaws. But It's a great episode nonetheless. Well done to Andrew Brenner and the time for making another enjoyable episode as always!
Rating: 4/5
About The Author:
Nathan Bassett - @ilovetrains323
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Chris (SunilFan48)'s Review:
What a treat this episode was, especially for me, who is a HUGE James lover! I feel James has never been more in character since the classic series! He simply shines in this episode! Sure he is cocky, arrogant and show-offish, but that is how James is! And he exemplifies all of those traits perfectly to a tee in this showing.
Andrew Brenner I sincerely thank you for writing this gem, certainly a modern classic in my opinion! Feels straight from the Railway Series, as if penned by Awdry himself! The plot is simple, but the music and characters make it work all so splendidly well that it’s such a joy to watch over and over!
Also can I just say the animation is stunning here! All the different shots, effects and those facial expressions, just so awesome! And James learns a very valuable lesson here about how to change his attitude into a more positive outlook.
Plus this episode also had a nice range of characters, and Stanley got some time to shine, I hope this soon happens to Rosie in the future. In the end, this is a treat, and a near perfect episode. Only slight negative I have is that the dialogue was a bit clunky and forced in the very beginning, but only a very slight problem in a treat of a watch!
Rating: 4.5/5
About The Author:
Chris - @SunilFan48
Follow Me on Twitter!
Alexander Kvitblik (SodorSteamworks)'s Review:
James has always been known for his funny faces, especially in the model series, and that they acknowledged it in an episode was brilliant. The CGI offers a wide variety of faces, and they really took advantage of it here.
Not only is the episode funny, but it's also so well-written. James is perfectly in character and the whole episode feels like an early RWS story. Some may argue that that sort of story for James, one of the first characters in the franchise, is outdated, but it's only a nice touch in my book.
With its humour, excellent writing, and characters being perfectly in-character, Pouty James gets a 5/5 from me. Another spectacle from Andrew Brenner.
Rating: 5/5
About The Author:
Alexander Kvitblik - @SodorSteamworks
Follow Me on Twitter!
JF the LOLZOR's Review:
If there's any character that could bring the most hilarious episode in the entire series, it's gotta be James. I consider this the best episode of not only Season 20, but the CGI series in general. Though nothing will top Rusty to the Rescue...it just won't. Andrew Brenner both knows how to make audiences happy (like this and Last Train Before Christmas) and how not to make them happy (The Other Side of the Mountain). This episode restores the personality of Henry, Percy and of course, James. And does a marvellous job at it. It's an episode that pretty much most of the fanbase can relate to. I'd say all of it if there was a fight every millisecond. You know the ones, right? The best thing about it is, other than James, they give Thomas, Stanley and Sir Topham Hatt big roles. It's a good choice for them, too. This episode feels so much like a classic episode.
The plot consists of James undershooting, overshooting, and just plain being a showoff. So Sir Topham Hatt decides he's had just about enough about his nonsense and takes his coaches away. This causes James to sulk, pout and go about having a tangent. The other engines decide to mock him, but James is not amused.
And in case you're wondering, no, there's no other episode where James has a fit. So really, this episode is pretty special. The Slip Coaches make a small cameo...not really sure what to say about that. The Slippies never really caught my fancy. And the characters who speak in the episode are all my favorites: such as Philip, Stanley, Percy and Thomas. So all in all, Pouty James is a hilarious episode worth a 4.58/5 rating. Thank you, and I'll see you on the next one.
Rating: 4.85/5
About The Author:
Jack Frefigs - @jfthlolzor
Follow Me on Twitter!
About The Author:
Jainil Devani - @ThomasFan3000
Follow Me on Twitter!
My YouTube Channel!
Nathan Bassett (ilovetrains323)'s Review:
Pouty James was over all quite a great episode. The mix of comedy and great story telling. Andrew Brenner brings his talent once again to prove that he is really knows what he is doing. While there are a few things that I have issues with, such as the many times James' front bogey sparks when he is racing around; It doesn't set it back from being a good episode. I for one am really glad to see that Mr. Brenner has brought back James' original personality of being self-centred and arrogant.
The voice acting a music was also very well done. Rob Rackstraw did a wonderful job at portraying the array of James' different emotions. From James' snooty attitude to his "Why does it matter what I want."
 |
| James in the Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James' during his line, 'Why does it matter what I want!' |
The music is also really nice to listen to. James' new theme is quite lovely and upbeat. Chris Renshaw is doing a wonderful job with the music for the series after the departure of the Hartshornes. Though they will be missed, the music in the episode is a sure reminder that the series' music is in good hands. (If only someone could explain that to Eggplant LF.)
My biggest problems with the episode aren't even anything major. If it were me writing it I probably would've avoided putting Thomas in the episode.
 |
| Thomas And James in the Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James.' |
Overall, Like everything it has its flaws. But It's a great episode nonetheless. Well done to Andrew Brenner and the time for making another enjoyable episode as always!
Rating: 4/5
About The Author:
Nathan Bassett - @ilovetrains323
Follow Me on Twitter!
My YouTube Channel!
Chris (SunilFan48)'s Review:
What a treat this episode was, especially for me, who is a HUGE James lover! I feel James has never been more in character since the classic series! He simply shines in this episode! Sure he is cocky, arrogant and show-offish, but that is how James is! And he exemplifies all of those traits perfectly to a tee in this showing.
 |
| James in the Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James.' |
Andrew Brenner I sincerely thank you for writing this gem, certainly a modern classic in my opinion! Feels straight from the Railway Series, as if penned by Awdry himself! The plot is simple, but the music and characters make it work all so splendidly well that it’s such a joy to watch over and over!
Also can I just say the animation is stunning here! All the different shots, effects and those facial expressions, just so awesome! And James learns a very valuable lesson here about how to change his attitude into a more positive outlook.
Plus this episode also had a nice range of characters, and Stanley got some time to shine, I hope this soon happens to Rosie in the future. In the end, this is a treat, and a near perfect episode. Only slight negative I have is that the dialogue was a bit clunky and forced in the very beginning, but only a very slight problem in a treat of a watch!
Rating: 4.5/5
About The Author:
Chris - @SunilFan48
Follow Me on Twitter!
Alexander Kvitblik (SodorSteamworks)'s Review:
James has always been known for his funny faces, especially in the model series, and that they acknowledged it in an episode was brilliant. The CGI offers a wide variety of faces, and they really took advantage of it here.
Not only is the episode funny, but it's also so well-written. James is perfectly in character and the whole episode feels like an early RWS story. Some may argue that that sort of story for James, one of the first characters in the franchise, is outdated, but it's only a nice touch in my book.
 | |
|
Rating: 5/5
About The Author:
Alexander Kvitblik - @SodorSteamworks
Follow Me on Twitter!
JF the LOLZOR's Review:
If there's any character that could bring the most hilarious episode in the entire series, it's gotta be James. I consider this the best episode of not only Season 20, but the CGI series in general. Though nothing will top Rusty to the Rescue...it just won't. Andrew Brenner both knows how to make audiences happy (like this and Last Train Before Christmas) and how not to make them happy (The Other Side of the Mountain). This episode restores the personality of Henry, Percy and of course, James. And does a marvellous job at it. It's an episode that pretty much most of the fanbase can relate to. I'd say all of it if there was a fight every millisecond. You know the ones, right? The best thing about it is, other than James, they give Thomas, Stanley and Sir Topham Hatt big roles. It's a good choice for them, too. This episode feels so much like a classic episode.
The plot consists of James undershooting, overshooting, and just plain being a showoff. So Sir Topham Hatt decides he's had just about enough about his nonsense and takes his coaches away. This causes James to sulk, pout and go about having a tangent. The other engines decide to mock him, but James is not amused.
 |
James in the Season 20 episode, 'Pouty James.'
|
And in case you're wondering, no, there's no other episode where James has a fit. So really, this episode is pretty special. The Slip Coaches make a small cameo...not really sure what to say about that. The Slippies never really caught my fancy. And the characters who speak in the episode are all my favorites: such as Philip, Stanley, Percy and Thomas. So all in all, Pouty James is a hilarious episode worth a 4.58/5 rating. Thank you, and I'll see you on the next one.
Rating: 4.85/5
About The Author:
Jack Frefigs - @jfthlolzor
Follow Me on Twitter!
ThomasCONCLUSION
So, all in all, all the members of ThomasNATION agree that it was a really great episode. With the highest rating being 5/5, and the lowest rating being 4/5, it is easily determined that the episode is really good. The characters, the story, the animation - all are delivered perfectly.
ThomasNATION Rating: 4.6/5
We'll return soon with more reviews, articles, news and more!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.
So, all in all, all the members of ThomasNATION agree that it was a really great episode. With the highest rating being 5/5, and the lowest rating being 4/5, it is easily determined that the episode is really good. The characters, the story, the animation - all are delivered perfectly.
ThomasNATION Rating: 4.6/5
We'll return soon with more reviews, articles, news and more!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.
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