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For the first time since 2005, the Walt Disney Company is releasing a Winnie the Pooh film in theaters. This classic and timeless children’s series first debuted in 1926 as a novel by the then unknown A. A. Milne, and grew into a franchise that includes television shows, films, and of course, merchandising. So how does this tale hold up today? Well, there is always room for a film featuring a classic story. There will be one or two out there who have let Pooh and friends pass them by, so here is a very brief synopsis. A young boy names Christopher Robin, whom Milne named after his own son, has an incredibly active imagination. He creates the imaginary world of Hundred Acres Wood and populates it with his cuddly toys, the main character being the honey loving bear Winnie the Pooh, best described as lovable but dim. Joining Pooh in this magical world are Rabbit, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga and her son Roo, Owl and the terminally depressed donkey known as Eeyore. This film weaves together three different storylines; Pooh desperate search for honey, the whole gang joining forces to find Eeyores lost tale and the kidnapping of Christopher Robin. We have grown up with these characters so it seems harsh to criticize a film that is dripping with nostalgia, and the good news is that there is very little you can find to complain about. Our favorite stuffed animals are exactly as we remember them and thankfully haven’t had any kind of modern enhancements, no baseball caps or mobile phones in this wood thank goodness. Some may be slightly frustrated by the randomness of the 3 storylines the film embraces, but they inevitably all come together in the end. The general consensus is that it was a great idea to tie 3 storylines together, as this is more likely to hold the attention of the youngest of viewers. It’s great to see that Jim Cummings is on board too, having provided the voices of Pooh and Tigger since the early 1980’s. There must also be a pat on the back for Disney for sticking with the format that we know and love. Some of our favorite kids’ shows are virtually unrecognizable, but this film is as familiar as a comfy old armchair. Pooh breaks through the fourth wall and interacts with both the narrator (John Cleese is an excellent choice) and the storybook which is framing the tale. There is no computer generated animation here, just favorite characters lovingly drawn by hand and brought to life. So no criticism so far, but as no film is perfect, there are a few niggles. Firstly the running time, just over an hour including a very mediocre short about the Loch Ness Monster. On the other hand you need to take into consideration the time span of the target audience, the accompanying adults will be wanting more, but it will probably satisfy their young charges. This is a charming film that older fans will love and youngsters will embrace. Watch Winnie the Pooh Online
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