Review by Mrs. Brandon:
*SPOILERS*, Probably.
Brandon kindly asked if I would like to lend my review since he’s a 12yr old boy who couldn’t help but laugh at every, single, “Pooh” uttered in this movie. “I know it’s hard Pooh” was actually said, and yes, we both laughed.
The synopsis goes something like “Christopher Robin — now a family man living in London — receives a surprise visit from his old childhood pal, Winnie-the-Pooh. With Christopher’s help, Pooh embarks on a journey to find his friends — Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo. Once reunited, the lovable bear and the gang travel to the big city to help Christopher rediscover the joy of life”…and yes that did happen, but this was just the tip of the iceberg.
When I was a child I adored Winnie-the-Pooh, it brought me comfort in a way, and to hear Pooh’s voice come to life was magical. Also, it answered an age-old question for me…Could anyone see Pooh and the gang? Or did they live solely in Christopher Robin’s imagination…? Was I the only one who wondered that? Or what would happen when he grew up? Would they all disappear? Where would Pooh get his “hunny”?! So many questions!
We went for the nostalgia but stayed for the “Poohisms”, which if you’re new to Pooh, a “Poohism” is a silly saying that seems so uncomplicated you can’t understand why you didn’t think of it. This is an essential ingredient to any Winnie-the-Pooh story or film and there was no shortage. Jim Cummings, the one and only who has voiced Winnie-the-Pooh returned for the live-action version, he also voices Tigger, one of Pooh’s closest friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. I’m not sure fans would have accepted anyone but Cummings to be honest. I wouldn’t have. Ewan McGregor is almost hard to like as Christopher Robin because it’s far from what you remember him to be, a cheerful, unbothered and happy child. The storyline hits close to home for many people, not being able to take time off work, feelings of personal failures in your life and the inability to find peace and balance between home and work life. The movie does not fail to include the adult undertones and allows the kids to enjoy good ol’ Pooh Bear, leaving trails of “hunny” everywhere he goes. I can’t be sure if it was always intentional that each character seems to represent a part of our personality, or rather Christopher Robin’s personality, Piglet is anxiety and fear, Eeyore (voiced by Brad Garret) is obviously sadness and depression, Kanga is a nurturing character, Roo is like his curiosity and thirst for knowledge or his inner child, Tigger is the wild side he tries to contain. Owl and Rabbit are his more mature sides, ones that embody responsibility and voice of reason, they try to be sensible about everything and impart wisdom. Pooh is the epitome of love and innocence, he always helps Christopher Robin how to see from all perspectives. Overall it was chalked full of everything essential to a Pooh movie you could hope for. The kids in the audience loved it, the parents loved it, and we loved it. Thumbs Up!
