'Christopher Robin' was directed by Marc Forster (World War Z) and stars Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge) as the titular children's book character after he has left the joys of the Hundred Acre Wood and settled into a life of an unhappy and overworked adult, until one day his old friend Pooh Bear comes back to lend a helping hand. I'm not sure if Winnie the Pooh is still as heavily in kids' lives as much as it once was, but for me personally I absolutely adored the silly old bear and his friends (even having to suffer a childhood of being constantly called Christopher Robin). Coming back to see this newest film as a grown man gives me a strong and emotional feeling and I think that was the film's main goal. It wants to bring back those memories for the cranky older people and give their children something to take with them as they grow up and 'Christopher Robin' does this successfully.
I'm happy to see a film such as this come out in 2018, a film with the simple objective of teaching some life lessons, throwing in some humor, and giving its audience that wonderful and warm feeling when they leave. The world these days is so cynical and seemingly full of nothing but hatred that I think a film like 'Christopher Robin' was needed. It's very much the 'Mary Poppins' of the modern age (and yes, I am aware they are bringing that lovely lady back as well) in that it keeps everything simple. Many folks including myself have compared the film to the 1990 cult classic 'Hook' and I will admit, 'Christopher Robin' does feel a bit familiar in that department. While 'Hook' is no doubt a film that I feel will stand the test of time thanks to the late Robin Williams and the brilliant direction of Steven Spielberg, I have to admit I think 'Christopher' is the superior film. It goes back to that simplicity while using the same lessons and concepts with much less money and time and to me that makes for a better film.
Ewan McGregor does very well here and as always is charming. You see every single thought and emotion in his expressions and eyes and see that his heart is truly into the material. Someone I think gets too little credit however is veteran voice actor Jim Cummings, who provides the voice of Pooh and Tigger and has does such since the 1980's. His voices are the mirror images of their originals, so much so that for many years I was unaware of the switch. Cummings deserves most of the credit here as this turn as Pooh was so strong that even with the excellent live action cast, this film just wouldn't be the same without him. If I had any real issue with the movie, it would be Christopher Robin's family, played by Hayley Atwell and Bronte Carmichael but not because of their performances but rather because I wish they were in the film much more. I think more time with them would give us an even stronger link to Christopher and his conflicts between work and family.
'Christopher Robin' is a throwback children's film that I highly recommend. It may be considered too sickly sweet and generic by most critics, but they're just being Woozles and Heffalumps. The film is just a fun ride that teaches your children good life lessons and has some truly emotional moments that will leave you all happy.
5/5
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