Marjolein Bakker lives with her husband and 4 children Isa (11) Silke (8) Boaz (7) and Norah (3) in Waddinxveen. She also runs a second-hand clothing store in Boskoop, Tinkerbelle &Boys . This weekend she and her family went to Sevenum for the premiere of Thomas de Stoomlocomotive 'Excavate &Discover'. Below you can read whether the new Thomas the Tank Engine movie is worth going to.
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Take the whole family to the movie premiere of Thomas the Tank Engine:Excavate &Discover! That means getting up early for us, because Sevenum (where the premiere is being held) is not next door; 165 kilometers away to be exact. Fortunately, the film will be shown in many cinemas from September 11. With three delighted children and a sulking teenage daughter – because Thomas de Trein is sooo for babies – we are off!
When we arrive at the Family Entertainment Center in Sevenum, we immediately notice how big it is! Adolescent daughter is a bit more approachable when she discovers that in addition to the Mattel Play part, there is also a Portal where children from 8 years old can jump on the trampoline, play laser games and cycle BMX! “Mom, can we please go there too?”
Once inside, we are welcomed by the staff and “De Dikke Controleur” is already waiting for us. Our youngest daughter doesn't think it's such a good idea to greet him at first, but eventually we go over the blue carpet that is ready under his guidance.
In the room where the film is shown, the coffee and lemonade are ready, completely in “Thomas” style, with nicely decorated cup cakes. We are ready after such a long car ride! Space has been set aside for the children in the front of the room and we as parents -with adolescent daughter- sit at a table waiting for the film to start.
Not long after, “De Dikke Controleur” appears on stage, welcomes us again and then announces the film by having the children sing the opening tune of Thomas the Tank Engine. Many of you will probably have this tune in your head for the rest of the day now, my apologies!
We can follow the film perfectly in the back of the room, because the screen on which it is shown is large. In the story, Thomas the Tank Engine travels to Italy, to a construction site, where an archaeological museum is to be built. He meets the train Gina, an expert on all things Italian. On the many roads that lead to Rome, the children are taken along well-known sights in Italy and Thomas wonders many things:"why is the tower so crooked and why do the buildings look so unfinished?"
For the children it is entertainment, for me as a mother it is nice to see that in addition to beautiful images, they also get some culture and history, among other things, through the answers to Thomas's questions. I also notice the typical Italian (background) music and the trains address each other with “ciao!” In between, it is explained that “ciao” is used in Italy for “hello” and “goodbye.”
I see that my youngest are taken into the story of Thomas the Tank Engine Excavating &Discovering and sit quietly on their bench in the front, watching. I understand that, the film has quite an exciting storyline and it is also fun for us as parents to follow. When I look to the side I see that my – this is sooo for babies – adolescent daughter is also in the story! "Mom, is it okay if I sit in the front?" “Sure, honey!”
The film lasts about an hour and a half, which is a bit on the long side for our youngest of three years. She can follow the first part of the film well, after the second part she slowly drops out. That is no problem at all here in the Mattel part of the Family Entertainment Center (FEC), because next to the room where the film is being shown there are nicely decorated rooms. Here children can have a great time with familiar characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam. In fact, in every room the decor is the same as they are on TV, with fun accessories to dress up with. In short:a true children's mecca!
While the oldest three continue to watch the film, our three-year-old is having fun in Angelina Ballerina's ballet room, complete with pink tutu.
When the film is over, “The Fat Inspector” reappears on the scene. He closes the movie premiere by inviting us to lunch at the ABC restaurant of the Family Entertainment Center. Once inside the restaurant, the children are amazed:“how big it is here!!” and “can we taste everything?” It is wonderful to see how the children enjoy themselves and so do we. In the evenings, the restaurant has eleven (!!!) different cuisines:from Mexican, Italian and Japanese (sushi) to snack bar. Four kitchens are open for this lunch and even for our eight-year-old – I really don't like that – there is plenty to choose from.
We have plenty of time for lunch, so while the children enjoy themselves in the indoor play area of the restaurant, we can relax after dinner. In other words, I'm just going to go through the many buffets that are available! After lunch, hubby takes our eldest three children for laser gaming in Portal (the older children's area) and I return to Mattel (under 8's area) with our youngest daughter. There she can participate in a coloring contest (we are very curious!!) and she is painted like a beautiful princess!
Then it really is time to go home! On the way back we drive past the restaurant with the big yellow letter M for a concluding ice cream and then it's always gerade aus naar haus!
“Dad,” I hear my son say from the backseat, “maybe I'll be too later
archaeo-something, just like Thomas!”
If you ask me, the Thomas the Tank Engine Excavating &Discovering movie is highly recommended to go with the family! The story is fun and the graphics are really beautifully done. In addition, there are exciting elements and the history of Italy is discussed. Working together is also discussed and to close with a quote from Thomas the Tank Engine:“Making friends is like archaeology:it can take a while, but it's more than worth it!”
