Movie Review: Christopher Robin (2018)
Yes, that Christopher Robin. The one from the Pooh books. Winnie the Pooh. From the books by A. A. Milne with drawings, excuse me, I mean decorations by Ernest H. Shepard, the REAL Pooh artist (oooh…you say that out of context and you will get some stares…). Not the disneyfied version from years ago. Not that there is anything wrong with the Disney Pooh, it’s quite charming. It just doesn’t have the same quiet, languid peace that Shepard’s drawings have. In the books, they are clearly toys, in the Disney world, they are anthropomorphic animals. Thankfully, Christopher Robin sticks with the original. And you will smile.
And I did smile. A lot. I couldn’t help myself. Seeing Pooh and all his friends in the 100 Acre Wood actually walking and talking about will make you smile, too. And not just a simple smirk, you will be grinning ear to ear until your cheeks get sore. I loved this movie, which is a little surprising because it’s not all that great.
Oh, it’s good enough. Good story (however dated it is, even though the ending is telegraphed from scene one), good performances (ESPECIALLY the voice over work for Pooh and the gang-spot on perfect), great effects (the toys operate in the “real” world seamlessly), and some funny lines where you are laughing with the movie, not at it. I’ll forgive it the rote, Hollywood chase ending where everything gets tied up in a bow. I’ll forgive Ewan McGregor for his hopelessly annoying “charming”, wide-eyed grin (which I hate so much every time I see it I just want to rip his fucking lips off). I’ll forgive Hayley Atwell for playing the wife and mother who gets annoyed because her husband works too much (someones gotta pay the bills, bitch, get a job!). I forgive all of these things. Why? Because of Pooh!
(I think I’ve waited my whole life to say that)
Winnie the Pooh is exactly as he should be. Eeyore? Perfect! Tigger? NOONE bounces like a T-I-double G-ER! Piglet? Of course you can take my hand, little one! Kanga? Roo? Rabbit? Owl? Come on in, you are all welcome here. The scenes with the Pooh gang are an absolute joy. The effects are astounding. Forget all the CGI from every Captain-Justice-Avenging-Ant-Strange-Bat movie you’ve ever seen. This is how effects are meant to be done. Quiet, weighted, three-dimensional and real. The movie is directed by Marc Forster, and while there are some issues with the story, he has nailed the heart and soul of Winnie the Pooh. You can tell he has immense respect for the subject, it shows all through the movie. Forster also directed another one of my favorite films, 2004’s Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp as J. M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. If you haven’t seen it, treat yourself, it’s a better movie. However, you won’t leave with the same sore cheeks that you will get from Christopher Robin.
I think my favorite thing about the film was the reminder to be a kid. Not a kid today, but a kid from decades ago. Find adventure in the woods (preferably NOT with a pedophile), hang onto your friends when they fear you’ll let go, enjoy everyday as if it’s your last day of childhood. Look at the trees, the sky, the pine cones. Wish for a pot of honey. Or just wish for some pot.
If you have kids, go see the movie. If you don’t have kids, go see the movie. If you can’t stand kids, go see the movie at one of it’s later showings. I’m really looking forward to seeing the blu ray…assuming it will have some behind the scenes vignettes about the effects and, hopefully, some interviews with the voice over cast, hint hint. I need to mention the amazing Jim Cummings as both Pooh AND Tigger and Brad Garret, who was simply born to play Eeyore. Hello, Oscar’s? Forget about the horrible idea for “Best Popular Movie”, we already have the MTV Video awards for that. It’s time for a “Best Voice Over Talent” award. Seriously. It can be a pot of honey.