Disney knows how to do a family movie. Christopher Robin is the tale of a grown up Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) who has left his childhood and friends (Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger) behind. He’s faced boarding school, a world war, marriage and parenthood. As an adult he’s being asked to put his job before his family- grow up and be a man. He’s been taught to put fun and laughter in the past. His marriage and his relationship with his daughter are in jeopardy. But when Christopher is at his lowest, his friend, Pooh, returns with his own crisis, forcing Christopher to return to the Hundred Acre Wood to find the rest of the gang. Not to be confused with the 2017 movie, Goodbye Christopher Robin, this one is a funny and heartwarming tale of what’s really important--family and fun. Christopher must learn the hard way that fun is important in life and that childhood friends can last forever. The many nods to the original Winnie the Pooh cartoons will entertain those who fell in love with the bear with a small brain and a big heart. From Tigger’s song to the happiness from a red balloon, Christopher Robin will have viewers nodding. Disney even ties in the traditional opening of flipping through the pages of a book. With voices from Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Jim Cummings (Every Cartoon in the last 20 years), and Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who), Christopher Robin has modern artists voicing characters who have been around for almost 50 years and, you believe they are really the original people. Even with the heavy message, there are plenty of humorous moments as Pooh is able to speak to anyone, sending a few people to crash. Unlike Mission Impossible, the biggest chase scene features a girl riding a bike to get to her father before his big presentation. And unlike the upcoming movie The Meg, the only body part lost is Eeyore’s tail and only temporarily. The slow pace is great for children but might put some viewers to sleep. Another problem for children is the scrolling of sentences explaining things passing in Christopher’s life. Children who can’t read won’t know when his father dies nor understand. They will only be interested in having their own Tigger to bounce around, anyway. As this summer ends, Christopher Robin is a movie for the whole family and one which will be enjoyed by everyone. A perfect “going back to school film” for families.
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Melissa KeirIt's all about the movies... Archives
January 2020
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