Christian Movie Review
Winnie the Pooh
Belinda Elliott
Contributing Writer
CBN.com - Walt Disney Animation Studios takes us back to the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh and reminds us why we love this “silly old bear” and his friends.
The film opens with footage of Christopher Robin’s bedroom and the aged stuffed animals that come to life in his imagination as he leads them on adventures. As the story begins, Winnie the Pooh is on a quest to find honey for his rumbling tummy and Eeyore has lost his tail. The old gang is all here – Rabbit, Owl, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and Tigger – and they decide the best way to replace Eeyore’s tail is to hold a contest. The one who finds the most suitable replacement tail wins a large pot of honey.
Their search for the perfect tail for Eeyore quickly turns into a rescue mission to save Christopher Robin from a feared creature of the forest. Their plans to bait and trap the beast offer hilarious antics that even adults will enjoy.
In a time when 3D films are becoming the mainstay for movies aimed at kids, Winnie the Pooh’s hand-drawn animation recalls the nostalgic renderings in author A.A. Milne’s children’s books; the film also stays true to his stories. In fact, his writings take center stage in several scenes as characters travel from page to page walking on sentences and having letters drop around them. The movie only departs from its classic look and feel with one scene that portrays the characters as chalkboard drawings in an upbeat musical segment.
Speaking of music, Pooh fans will find much of it to be familiar. However, there are a few new songs featuring the vocal talents of Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, Elf).
Perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of the movie is its lack of objectionable content—a rarity in films these days. It seems that even movies aimed at kids increasingly rely on bathroom humor or adult-themed jokes to entice audiences. Winnie the Pooh has neither.
While not as action-packed as other recent animated films, Winnie the Pooh offers enough action to keep both parents and their little ones entertained. The movie’s strength is the clever dialogue and interaction among its loveable cast of characters. With a length of just over one hour, it holds the attention of even the youngest viewers.
Just as entertaining is an animated short, The Ballad of Nessie, which is featured prior to the film. This poignant and fun tale about the origins of the Loch Ness Monster is delightful and even tugs on the heartstrings a bit.
This return to the Hundred Acre Wood is a fun journey. The charming adventures of these timeless characters offer enjoyment for audiences of all ages — an admirable feat for a “bear of little brain”.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
|
|