Not the first time Thomas has had trouble with bubble liquid…
Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers is a 3D Movie with in-theater effects based on Thomas & Friends released in April 2016. The special was produced by Arc Productions and SimEx‑Iwerks for global 4-D theatres (e.g. Drayton Manor, Boston Museum of Science).Thomas is sent to the docks to collect bubble liquid for Mr. Bubbles' bubble party. But when Cranky accidentally spills the bubble liquid all over him, Thomas' wheels become too slippery to brake, and he soon finds himself racing through the long-abandoned Ulfstead Mine.
This episode contains examples of:
- Animation Bump: Given how this was made specifically for the big screen, this should come as no surprise. The camera is a lot more dynamic than it usually is, allowing for more cinematic shots.
- Bubble Blowing of Whimsy: It isn’t called Bubbling Boilers for nothing! The bubble liquid that Cranky accidentally dropped onto Thomas makes bubbles puff out of his funnel.
- Hates Being Alone: Cranky tells Thomas that he can’t go to the surprise party because he’s stuck in one place. This is what gives Mr. Bubbles the idea to bring the party to Brendam Docks as a reward for alerting the rescue team about Thomas' crash.
- Instant Messenger Pigeon: Stuart the seagull finds Thomas after he derails and flies back to alert Cranky… somehow. Cranky then informs Sir Topham Hatt, who dispatches Harold and Edward with Rocky to rescue Thomas.
- Plot Hole: It’s never explained how exactly Stuart managed to tell Cranky of Thomas’ whereabouts, given that he’s a seagull.
- Paddleball Shot: This special contains quite a few instances of things coming at you: including the bubble liquid that gets spilled on Thomas and Thomas emerging from the waterfall and derailing in your face.
- P.O.V. Cam: There are plenty of shots where we see Thomas's perspective of him going through the mine.
- Secret Underground Passage: The boarded-up Ulfstead Mine becomes a secret tunnel Thomas accidentally takes (he crashes through the old entrance).
- Stop Copying Me: Sir Topham Hatt gives an annoyed glance to Mr. Bubbles when he notices him copying his gestures.
- Title Drop:Thomas: Bubbling boilers! I can’t stop!
- The Oner: The opening shot of The Island of Sodor is a 55-second continuous take, moving from the skies of Sodor to the Tower Windmill, Vicarstown Bridge, and ending at Brendam Docks.
- A Tragedy of Impulsiveness: Thomas refusing to go to the washdown is what ultimately results in his wheels being too slippery to brake, which leads to him derailing later.