Tag Archives: ‘Christopher Robin’

Movie review: New Pooh story ‘Christopher Robin’ filled with humor, heart

“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.

Copyright 2018 DirectConversations.com

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Interview: Hayley Atwell talks Winnie the Pooh tale ‘Christopher Robin’

Film fans are about to take another trip back to the Hundred Acre Wood, but thanks to the magic of technology and the magical filmmaking sensibilities of director Marc Forster, they’re about experience Winnie the Pooh like they never have before with “Christopher Robin.”

Ewan McGregor stars in the title role in “Christopher Robin,” a new, live-action take on the famous A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepherd characters that finds Christopher as a working-class adult. Overwhelmed by his adult responsibilities, Christopher is suddenly revisited by his childhood friend, Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings), who once again helps him enjoy the wonders and joys of life.

Hayley Atwell also stars as Christopher wife, Evelyn, and in a post-production interview, the star of the “Captain America” movies and “Agent Carter” TV series said the film version perfectly captures everything fans loved about the animated tales of Pooh, his animal pals and of course, his human friend Christopher.

“It’s very true to the tone of Winnie the Pooh and has what we love about Winnie the Pooh, as how it represents the naivete of childhood that allows us to play with an open mind,” Atwell said.

Ewan McGregor in 'Christopher Robin' (photo - Disney)

Atwell sang the praises of Forster, who as the director of the 2004 Best Picture Oscar-nominated film “Finding Neverland” told the enchanting tale of how author J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) was inspired to write “Peter Pan.” Before that, Forster directed Halle Berry to her Best Actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball.”

“Mark is such of a unique filmmaker in how he can go from something like ‘Monster’s Ball’ to Winnie the Pooh, and I love that,” Atwell enthused. “I think the way he can tell stories is really interesting.”

Atwell also loved working with McGregor, who she called a “natural, charismatic leader” for the project.

“He plays the grown-up Christopher Robin, and like most of us when we grew up, he wonders what’s going on with the world and gets a little bit cynical because of it. That sometimes can be healthy and sometimes not, like when we focus too much on the things that shouldn’t really matter, like money or status,” Atwell said. “At the heart of the story is what Winnie the Pooh can teach us, even as adults.”

“Christopher Robin” opens in theaters nationwide on Aug. 3.

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.

Copyright 2018 DirectConversations.com

Tim Burton Book 2
Click book cover for info on how to buy!