Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends - Cranky Bugs & Other Thomas Stories Reviews

• Now that's what I call a Thomas video!

  
  By A110LZFBUFYWN7 on 2004-11-10
  Cranky Bugs, along with Make Someone Happy, is one of my favorite Thomas video. The stories on here are hilarious. Especially in Lady Hatt's Birthday Party. In that one we get to see Sir Topham Hatt like we've never seen him before. This is also a very important Thomas video because it was the first one that Alec Baldwin narrated. I think that Alec Baldwin is one of the better storytellers because he was creative with the voices. James and Gordon were the only trains that he made sound bad, but in the later ones, he changes their voices back to normal. Here are the story stops:
  
  Cranky Bugs 5/5:
  Meet Cranky, the rude and cranky crane, hence his name. He starts bossing Percy and Thomas around at the docks. This soon causes confusion and delay and Sir Topham Hatt thinks that Thomas and Percy are to blame. But when a huge storm comes and knocks Cranky over, he ends up confessing that he caused all the confusion and delay.
  
  Lady Hatt's Birthday Party 5/5:
  It is Lady Hatt's birthday and Sir Topham Hatt must not be late to her party. But his car breaks down and that causes him to run a little late. Then he falls in a ditch. Sir Topham Hatt's nice suit is soiled and he has no source of transportation, will he be able to get to his wive's birthday party?
  
  Double Teething Troubles 4/5:
  Sir Topham Hatt gets a new diesel to help Bill and Ben at the quarry. But the new diesel has teething troubles because he is new and nervous. This causes some trouble for Bill and Ben.
  
  Thomas, Percy And Old Slow Coach 5/5:
  Thomas and Percy find an old coach at the scrapyard named Old Slow Coach. She is going to be broken up pretty soon because she is old and slow. Thomas and Percy want more than anything to help her but they can't figure out how. Meanwhile, there is a fire at the workman's hut. Their hut is destroyed and they don't have a home anymore, but there is an ideal home for them that they don't know about yet.
  
  Busy Going Backwards 5/5:
  Toad, Oliver's faithful breakvan companion, wishes that he could go foreward for a change, instead of going backwards all the time. The freight cars get mad at Toad because they think that he has no right to complain because he lucky enough to be able to look after them. So the freight cars come up with a plan that will teach Toad a lesson and make his wish of going foreward finally come true.
  
  A Better View For Gordon 6/5:
  Gordon is boasting again about being the finest engine in the world. One day, he is sent to test out the new station. When he gets there, he is disappointed with the view. He thinks he should have a panoramic view, where he can see people and people can see him. He soon gets his view, but in an unexpected way.
  
  "Night Train"(Music Video) 4.5/5
  A slower music video that is mostly about Henry and The Flying Kipper.
  
  Again, Cranky Bugs is a great Thomas video and Alec Baldwin did great in this one. If you don't already have this one, buy it today.
  
  

• Our Favorite Thomas Video!

  
  By A3COKJS765D6MP on 1999-12-08
  This tape was our first exposure to the Thomas series and quickly became a favorite of our collection. Remarkably, after watching it 500+ times, I can still sit through it and find that I enjoy it! I attribute it to Alec Baldwin's wonderful narraration. He puts great effort into giving each of the characters their own personality. The older tapes seem monotonous in comparison. I look forward to getting the next tape he works on!
  
  

• All the trains are in bad moods!

  
  By on 1999-11-11
  My 20 month old son can't get enough of this video. However, I was annoyed by the fact that so many of the stories feature characters who are complaining. Also, Alec Baldwin isn't too great as narrator.
  
  

• Good Thomas video

  
  By on 2006-01-02
  I have this one on video instead of DVD. Most of the stories are good, ecspcially Lady Hatt's Birthday Party, and Cranky Bugs. Busy Going Backwards isn't too bad either. Alec Baldwin's narration is good, although his Toad voice is a bit iffy! Alec B. is on my good Thomas list! The story "A Better View For Gordon is okay, but it has an unrealistic crash. Put aside that episode and you've got yourself a pretty good Thomas video. I got it when I was 4 and I loved it. I am now 10 years old and I still watch it!
  
  

• Not bad

  
  By A3J029KBNG5MNP on 2004-02-16
  I usually critize Alec Bladwin in almost all of my Thomas reviews but I think Cranky was a good addition to the cast Derek who I don't think is ever going to be in another episode. Toad was good in this one but similar chases have occured already like in A close shave for Duck and later on in Spills chills and other Thomas thrills. I've always liked Toad and Oliver and I have like all of their stories. Old Slow Coach was good and she was in another episode. Night Train is the best song in the series. My problem with Thomas is they keep releasing new characters without using the old ones. Daisy has had three episodes total. BoCo doesn't have much either. This tape does mark a change in Thomas but I hear Alec Baldwin got fired. Of course we have to wait another month to see if the new guy is any better. This tape also introduces the new station but I don't think the other big station is still around I haven't seen it in any other recent tape. Overall this tape was good and your kids will probabaly like it.
  
  
• WHO'S CRANKIER; THE BUGS OR THE VIEWER?
  By A1X9BIWB3NBIGT on 1999-11-09
  "Cranky Bugs" is a good Thomas video. Our family has watched it dozens of times and we still find it entertaining. The animation appears more realistic than earlier Thomas videos and the stories are fun. The only thing that bugs me about it is the narrator, Alec Baldwin. This is his first Thomas video and occasionally, he fails to distinguish the characters' voices well enough to determine which one is speaking. Although the kids didn't seem to notice, I found it a bit annoying until I watched the video several times and became more familiar with the stories. Nonetheless, it's a very useful video and would be a fine addition to your Thomas the Tank Engine collection.
  
  
• Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas Stories
  By on 2001-10-28
  This is a great video! It's one of my favorites, along with Thomas and the Special Letter, The Gallant Old Engine, and Trust Thomas.
  In "Cranky Bugs", a new crane named Cranky comes to work at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy. But, when there's a storm, the two little engines come to his rescue. In "Lady Hatt's Birthday Party", Sir Topham Hatt needs to prepare for his wife's birthday party. While he's getting ready however, disaster strikes. In "Double Teething Troubles", Bill and Ben need a new diesel to help out. Unfortunately, the diesel has teething troubles. In "Thomas, Percy, and Old Slow Coach", Thomas and Percy meet Old Slow Coach. She was about to get sent to the scrapyards. However, when the workman's hut gets destroyed in a fire, Thomas and Percy find a need for her. In "Busy Going Backwards", Toad is tired of going backwards. When some freight cars trick him and make him go forwards, he soon learns that it's O.K. to go backwards. In "A Better View for Gordon", Gordon brags about knowing everything. When he tests out a new station, he wants a panoramic view. During the grand opening, Gordon crashes into the wall and gets his "panoramic view". This is my favorite story of the 6. The video contains these six stories and the music video "Night Train".
  
  
• The Turning Point of Thomas
  By A2Z5KMG8X33FT3 on 2003-10-13
  I like Alec Baldwin and I like George Carlin. But i think the three best Thomas tapes are Thomas Breakes the Rules, Better Late than never, and my absolute favorite Tenders and Turntables.
  This tape was the first of Alec Baldwin's and the tapes sort of changed then. He's a good narrator but they've changed Thomas isn't the same anymore. I would recommend the early tapes instead. And why did they redo the Ringo Starr ones.
  
  
• Go Thomas -
  By A20F6WHACP65CK on 2006-01-27
  As usual you cannot go wrong with Thomas - Kids learn morals and manners in an easy to listen and view forum.
  
  This is a little dull compared to most Thomas DVD's.
  
  
• Video 21!
  By on 2000-01-30
  Cranky the Crane lies to Sir Topham Hatt about Thomas and Percy and gets them into trouble. Then a nasty storm comes and knock Cranky down. So enjoy video 21!
  
  
• Alec Baldwin's the Best!
  By on 2002-08-09
  This video is a great! It has all new stories:
  Cranky Bugs: Cranky the Crane insults Thomas and Percy and calls them "annoying little bugs". But he is knocked over in a storm, so Thomas and Percy help him.
  Lady Hatt's Birthday: Sir Topham Hatt tries to make it to his wife's birthday party, but keeps running into trouble!
  Double Teething Troubles: Bill and Ben work with a diesel who has over heating problems.
  Thomas, Percy & Old Slow Coach: Thomas and Percy save an old coach from scrap to replace a burned up workmens' hut; James gets stuck in a fire.
  Busy Going Bacwards: Toad the Breakvan whishes to go forward, so the freight cars break away from Oliver to let him see what its like.
  A Better View For Gordon: Gordon hates the new station and crashes through it's wall.
  Baldwin has really outdone himself. The video introduces Cranky, Derek the Diesel, Old Slow Coach, and the Fire Engine.
  
  
• umm, not the best...
  By A1KALMR0XPOI3H on 2003-05-25
  my son likes to watch this video, but not as much as the others. alec baldwin's voice is annoying and his james role is obnoxious. the character cranky is not the best; the way the diesel is treated by the other engines for being the new guy is not the greatest either. the toad story is nice, but lady hatt's birthday is certainly not the best--more negative female roles (caroline doesn't want to work or drive fast; lady hatt is really shallow). there are better videos out there, such as "make someone happy" (if you don't mind baldwin's characterization of james) or maybe "the best of percy."
  
  
• Good Thomas video
  By on 2006-01-02
  I have this one on video rather than DVD. I love this Thomas video! Most of the stories are good, ecspecialy Cranky Bugs, and Lady Hatt's Birthday. Alec Baldwin is a good narrater, although his toad voice is a bit iffy! Toad sounds like he has something cought in his throat. Also, A Better View For Gordon is okay, but it has an unrealistic crash. Put aside That episode and Alec Baldwin's Toad voice, and you've got yourself a pretty good Thomas video. I got it when I 4 and a half. I am now 10 years old and I still watch it! If you get this video, It will be cherished forever.
  
  
• A O.K. Thomas video
  By on 2000-04-27
  I thought that "Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas stories" was a pretty good movie and the animation was a lot better than previous Thomas videos. But, there were a few downsides about the movie. One, was the new narrator, Alec Baldwin. I thought that he should have had a larger variety of voices for the engines and that his narrative tecniques weren't as good as George Carlin's or Ringo Starr's. The other was that the story lines weren't that great and it seems that the storys always originated from accidents each time, which isn't all that interesting. Otherwise, I thought it was pretty well done and I think it would be a good Thomas video to add to your collection.
  
  
• My child can't get enough!! (the world is a train)
  By on 1999-07-26
  Thomas and friends grow on you slowly. At first it looks like a kiddie thing, but after a while you realize... hey, there are some good lessons hidden in here. Typical stories talk about getting along, growing pains, all kinds of important life stuff. In the title story a big dock crane doesn't give the little engines the time of day.. when a big storm comes and knocks it over, all of a sudden, the trains are important to get the crane upright... nice tight stories with simple lessons. There are multiple short stories per tape, which is great for the easily distractable. there are train noises, steam, bells and whistles. What else is needed in life??? Most importantly: you can't tear the kids away. My child sits through the whole hour without a peep and begs for more.

  OK.. I have a confession: I find myself sitting through them without a peep also. (sigh)
  
  

• Cranky the Crane is Crummy
  By on 1999-12-06
  My son has enjoyed every Thomas video he has seen, except this one. The Cranky the Crane character makes him cry every time. When he is older, he might appreciate the story line and not cry at Cranky's angry outbursts.
  
  
• Good overall, but narration poor
  By on 2001-03-16
  We were dissapointed with the narration on this one. Baldwin doesn't have the voice quality, inflection or ability to give each charactor a unique voice. However, the story where Toad goes into a muddy ditch is one of our boys favorites.
  
  
• everything Thomas
  By A3IRPY7HF7GFV0 on 2002-07-11
  my son, jack, 2 1/2, loves loves loves all of the thomas and friends movies. as a family we highly recommend any and all of the movies. they teach patience, understanding, cooperation, and many other valuable lessons. my husband loves the narrations by george carlin and i especially love alec baldwin's female impersonations. pick one or all of them up today, you'll be glad that you did!!!
  
  
• Cranes going crazy!
  By AI30K6WW5MOGI on 2003-04-04
  Thomas & his friends like to get the job done, but Cranky, a new
  crane, thinks it's fun to call Thomas & Percy little bugs. Cranky laughs until a storm knocks him over & Thomas & Percy have to rescue him. This video is a must own to your collecion!
  The stories on the tape are very good. The songs are good too.
  I quite like the one where Toad the brakevan goes a little too
  far when he goes forwards for a change. The one about the new
  diesel gets teething troubles is good too. I hope you enjoy it!
  
  
• Good stories
  By on 2004-05-06
  My sons love Thomas. They enjoyed this VHS because of the new stories. The only drawback is Alec Baldwin. He's no George Carlin or even Ringo Starr. There is not much distinction in his voices, but the kids seem to like it. The movie grates a little on the nerves because of the sameness in the voices. George Carlin's and Ringo Starr's movies were more entertaining for adults - easier to listen to for multiple repititions. Overall, this is a worthwhile buy.
  
  
• Cranky Bugs
  By on 2004-09-11
  Cranky Bugs is my favorite Thomas movie so far. I am sure you'll like it too. In the episode "Cranky Bugs" there is a storm and Cranky the Crane gets blown down. And in the episode "Lady Hatt's Birthday Party" Sir Topham Hat has to get to the party, but is almost late. In the episode "Double Teething Troubles" a new diesel has problems with his cooling system, and Bill and Ben have to help him up the hill. In "Thomas, Percy, and Old Slow Coach", Thomas and Percy find and old coach at the scrapyards and James' fuel car catches on fire. In "A Better View for Gordon", he crashes through a wall at a station and his front wheels hang down. And that's all I have to say about it.
  
  
• the new thomas
  By on 2005-10-03
  Oh, how I remember the day I walked into my local K Mart and seeing this. I so excited and I ended up getting for my sixth birthday way back before the turn of the century. I was disappointed to see George Carlin go, but I thought Alec Baldwin was alright at the time. When I first saw Cranky, I thought it was a freight car on a steel riser! The episodes were good and the new characters were a nice change. This was one of the big changes Thomas went through right before 2000. The new cover was a big attraction to a six year old.
  
  
• Night train song not available on DVD version
  By A3ENZNIRJAKH5O on 2006-03-17
  We ordered this DVD for our son after borrowing the same version on VHS from a friend. My son loved the "Night Train" song so much that we ordered this DVD for the song alone. However, the "Night Train" is not on the DVD version, which makes absolutely no sense that the DVD and VHS versions would not contain the same stories (and the "Night Train" was listed as the last story on the VHS). We now have endless requests for the song and will now have to order the VHS. This DVD was a ripoff. Just order the VHS and save your money.
  
  
• Cranky Bugs
  By on 2003-02-08
  I found this video to be great. The only reason I find this tape to be a four is because of Alic Baldwin narrates it. I found out that Alic dosn't give as good voices as George Carlin did. The stories are great. Ther are three new charecters, Cranky the Crane, Derek(known as The Diesel), and Old Slow Coach. There are two accidents and a suprise for Toad. Hpe you enjoy it!
  
  
• Its ok but not the best
  By on 2003-03-26
  I gave this Thomas Video 3 stars because I thought
  Cranky was mean. At the end he turns out to be a nice crane.
  Also it features, another new character called Old Slow
  Coach who is very nice and better than Cranky. I have enjoyed
  some of the other videos more like Percys Chocolate Crunch and
  Thomas Christmas Party. I think it ok for kids to buy as
  long as they don't get into bad habits.
  
  

• Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends - Races, Rescues & Runaways
• Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - Salty's Secret
• Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - James and the Red Balloon
• Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - Snowy Surprise
• Thomas the Tank Engine - Best of Thomas