Disney’s Christopher Robin | Film Review

The pure innocence of feeling like a child again. The levity of Pooh Bear bouncing around with his honey and showcasing the wonder of the world. The incredulous waterfall that will inevitably fall from your eyes. Christopher Robin brings every emotion to the table, it offers a delightful reiteration of the search for Christopher Robin himself, and it basks in the nostalgia of Winnie the Pooh. It has something for everyone, but it deeply remembers those who remember it.

Disney’s Christopher Robin brings Winnie the Pooh Bear, Piglet, T-i-double g-e-r, Owl, Eeyore, and the rest of the gang from the Forest onto the big screen, but this time, as live-action. To recap – if you’re not familiar or haven’t seen Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (which you absolutely should do) – Christopher Robin and Pooh Bear are the best of friends. Christopher visits Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood and helps him keep it together, essentially. They go on many adventures together and with their friends, but one day, Christopher Robin has to say goodbye. He leaves a note (that Pooh can’t read, so the Owl has to) which says he isn’t coming back.

In the live action version, this version, Winnie the Pooh continues to wait for Christopher Robin, but “accidentally” finds him in London. All grown up, with a family of his own. Having forgotten about the purity of childhood imagination, creativity, and adventure from being bogged down by a stressful job with no breathing room, Pooh resurfacing just might be what Christopher Robin needs.

While it might be strange to consider – having Winnie and friends as “real” beings, next to actual live actors – it truly works effortlessly. There’s seldom a moment where Ewan McGregor, as Christopher Robin, doesn’t pull it off naturally. He manages to grab your attention and can whip from the eager and ever-adorable child demeanor, fighting Heffalumps, to the angry – and even terrifying – adult version of Christopher Robin. He may or may not yell at a certain character, so bring your tissues.

Jim Cummings reprises his role as the voice artist for Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, and man does he shine. It is quite incredible to have an artist grow with their character over decades of work, but to also have that work improve is even more outstanding. Cummings truly brings his characters to reality for the audience and impeccably nails the tones and shifts in dialogue for them.

The talent in this film is so genuine and authentic that you forget some of these characters aren’t real. If we’re being honest, this is quite possibly the most emotional and moving piece of Disney’s work that I have felt in a very long time. Whether that’s attributed to director Marc Forster’s vision for bringing this all to life, or the absolute and honorable tribute he and every other cast and crew member brought to the original context (drawing out those nostalgic feelers), is truly up to the audience members. Let it be said, though, there is masterpiece in this.

The script given to us works wonderfully and naturally, with few and very minor tweaks required. The beauty of one scene to the next, using memorable moments from the original content into the visual storyline is a fun adage for devoted Pooh fans. And let me tell you: The dialogue in this is EXACTLY what fans are hoping for! Every line from Pooh Bear feels like exactly what he would say, and as stated above, the delivery is tremendous. Disney, Forster, and company spent the time making sure that everyone could have an enjoyable time with this. The older, who likely grew up with it; the younger, who can be brought into that world; and those who just never got into Pooh – we all have a spot here. It doesn’t matter who you are, Pooh Bear will always make a place for you.

So grab your family or friends and join Pooh and the gang to do nothing. Remember, doing nothing often leads to the very best kind of something.