“Christopher Robin” (PG)
The bear of very little brain indeed shows his big heart in “Christopher Robin,” a magical family tale about Winnie the Pooh and his grown-up human friend Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor). As Disney’s latest original live-action adaptation from its stable of animated classics, “Christopher Robin” works on every level with its perfect blend of humor and heart.
“Christopher Robin” begins in the familiar setting of the Hundred Acre Wood, where the young Christopher (Orton O’Brien) says goodbye to his friends Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, possibly forever when he leaves for boarding school. While Christopher has a hard time at first adjusting to his new setting and absence of old friends, his memory eventually fades as he gets married to Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and goes off to serve in World War II. When Christopher finally returns home, he is greeted by Evelyn and his toddler daughter, Madeline, who was born when he was serving in the military, and he’s having a hard time bonding with her and readjusting to time with Evelyn because of the overbearing pressures of his job at a luggage company, which faces huge cutbacks.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Christopher Robin” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show.” Segment begins 2 minutes in.
Meanwhile, 30 years have passed in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Pooh awakens one day and he can’t find his friends. In hopes Christopher will help him, Pooh leaves the Hundred Acre Wood for London, where he surprises his old friend. The problem is, Christopher is on a tight deadline to come up with a plan to save his co-workers’ jobs, he overcomes his reluctance to help and discovers that, thanks to stuffed friend, he’s missing out the innocent joys of life that he once had as a child.
Interview: Hayley Atwell talks ‘Christopher Robin’
A family-friendly film with a PG rating, “Christopher Robin” works both for children familiar and new to the adventures of Winnie the Pooh with its simple yet engaging storyline, and adults, not only for the nostalgia factor, but the carefully layered-in messages of priorities and the importance of family.
Set the 1940s, “Christopher Robin” perfectly captures the nostalgic era with its look and feel, which of course enhanced by the magical tone of the film realized by director Marc Forster. A courtyard park bench setting is particularly poignant, since it marks the reunion of Christopher and Pooh, and harkens the emotional ending to his 2004 classic “Finding Neverland,” which chronicled the creation of “Peter Pan” by playwright J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp).
The great thing is, that magical atmosphere is present throughout “Christopher Robin,” which is made complete by the voicework of long-time Pooh voice actor Jim Cummings (he voices Tigger as well), and the whimsical baritone of Brad Garrett as Eeyore, among others. Their presence helps to match the tone of the Winnie the Pooh animated films and features, which, despite their stuffed animal looks, feel like real characters with real emotions. All told, “Christopher Robin” is one of the best films of the summer, if not of 2018 to date.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Listen to Tim’s review of “Christopher Robin” and “Goodbye Christopher Robin” on the “Paul and Jordana Show” on WCCO-AM Radio. Segement begins 9 minutes in.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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