Christopher Robin Movie Review

Thank you to Walt Disney Studios for the invitation to the advanced media screening to facilitate our Christopher Robin movie review.

The familiar story of Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Woods come to the big screen in a live action movie focused on Christopher Robin as the central character in a move that was very unexpected but beautifully executed.

Christopher Robin is a movie every parent needs to see.

There are few movies geared toward children that have a beautiful story far beyond a child’s focus that reaches out and pulls at your heartstrings. Christopher Robin is one of those rare movies that accomplishes a beautiful story told in a new way that you never knew you needed.

Be prepared to go on a journey unlike one you have ever gone on before, all through the eyes of a child who simply grew up, as all children do, and forgot his past as he busied himself with providing for a family while not having quite enough time for his young daughter or wife.

Whether you are the father consumed with work or a daughter who had a father consumed with work, you will absolutely see yourself in this movie. What you do next is up to you.

“Sometimes doing nothing leads to the very best something.”

Christopher Robin is played by Ewan McGregor. Star Wars fans know him as Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars Episodes: I, II, and III but he left his lightsaber behind as he plays a family man consumed with work. Although he loves his family the best he knows how, his employer, Winslow luggage, requires him to make great sacrifices in order to provide for his family and also take care of the employees underneath him.

Evelyn Robin is played by Hayley Atwell. Marvel fans will undoubtly recognize her as Agent Peggy Carter from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as her character in this movie feels like they are both set in the same time period. While Eveyln does not have a huge amount of screen time, her role is vital to the storyline. She is a wife and mother of a little girl, whose entire focus is protecting her child while making sure she has a happy childhood.

Christopher and Evelyn’s daughter is Madeline, played by Bronte Carmichael. Although not familiar with Carmichael’s work before this movie, she is a delight to watch.

McGregor, Atwell, and Carmichael expertly deliver performances that make the audience believe Pooh, Tigger, and friends are real.

If you were to only watch one scene, watching Ewan McGregor fighting Heffalumps is simply worth the price of admission to see the movie.

The voice cast is to be commended. The classic characters are brought to life by Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh and Tigger), Brad Garrett (Eeyore), Toby Jones (Owl), Nick Mohammed (Piglet), Peter Capaldi (Rabbit), Sophie Okonedo (Kanga), and Sara Sheen (Roo). Many will think they are the exact voices remembered from childhood.

While some voices are new, they portrayed the character well and most people will hardly notice any difference. Jim Cummings voices Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, just like we have known for many, many years but Brad Garrett nailed Eeyore. These are the three voices that make up the majority of the characters and had to be spot on in order to carry the movie.

While Pooh does not know a lot about life, his words are very powerful and definitely give you something to think about.

These are not the Hundred Acre Woods you remember as a child.

The movie opens with the typical Disney castle but quickly transforms into an antique style drawing that transitions seamlessly into the animated shadows of a young Christopher Robin, Pooh, and friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. Here the journey begins to the live action movie, while still paying homage to the classics we remember from our childhood. A chance to go down memory lane or introduce these classic characters to your children or grandchildren makes this movie instantly endearing to the hearts of many.

We see a young Christopher Robin as he happily plays with his friends in the Hundred Acre Woods until he is sent off to boarding school. Time passes and Pooh is left wondering why his friend has not returned. Many years go by as we see the young boy next as a grown man with a family of his own. Life finds a funny way of bringing your past to where you are today.

Seeing Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet leave the Hundred Acre Woods and travel to London to help return something important to Christopher Robin is hilarious. Seeing these beloved characters out in the real world absolutely provides fits of laughter as they forgot to play nap time and start speaking to other humans.

In a world where CGI an advanced animation are normal parts of the movie going experience, it is awesome to return to the classics we all grew up with yet see a blending of a new way of seeing Winnie the Pooh and friends. Well done, Disney. Sometimes adults have to sacrifice their sanity to suffer through a movie geared toward children, but Disney managed to create a movie that is alluring to both children and adults at the same time.

Heffalumps and Woozles

Have you always wondered what Heffalumps and Woozles were exactly? Us too. Be prepared to laugh when you discover what they are.

Families will leave the theatre feeling happier than when they entered, not from the action or the laughter, but from a heartfelt story that touches your soul. This movie is truly a rare gem.

Parental Advisory (SPOILER ALERT)

Christopher Robin is a family focused movie; however, much of the central part of the movie is focused on the drama surrounding a family and grown-up themes of working and living a life, while moving past your childhood. For this reason the beginning and ending are good for young children but they will get rather bored with the middle section of the movie.

Our family found nothing objectionable in this movie. There are a few scenes that have some action in it that explains why it is not a G rated movie; however, we feel it does not warrant a PG rating based on those scenes.

Christopher Robin is rated PG for some action.

Christopher Robin Movie Review by Kids

Be sure to watch the movie review by our Plugged In Kids below. Watch to the end to see the outtakes. They will brighten your day.

[quote]In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside. Now grown up, Christopher Robin is stuck in a job where he is overworked, underpaid and facing an uncertain future. He has a family of his own, but his work has become his life, leaving little time for his wife and daughter. Christopher has all but forgotten his idyllic childhood spent with a simple-minded, honey-loving stuffed bear and his friends. But when he is reunited with Winnie the Pooh, now tattered and soiled from years of hugs and play, their friendship is rekindled, reminding Christopher of the endless days of childlike wonder and make believe that defined his youth, when doing nothing was considered the very best something. Following an unfortunate mishap with Christopher Robin’s briefcase, Pooh and the rest of the gang including Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, step out of the forest and venture into London to return the crucial possessions…because best friends will always be there for you.[/quote]

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• Release Date: August 3, 2018
• Format: 2D
• Rating: PG
• Running Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
• Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Mak Gatiss
• Voice Cast: Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett, Toby Jones, Nick Mohammed, Peter Capaldi, Sophie Okonedo
• Director: Marc Forster
• Producers: Brigham Taylor, Kristin Burr
• Executive Producers: Renée Wolfe, Jeremy Johns
• Screenplay: Alex Ross Perry, Allison Schroeder
• Based on Characters Created by: A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard
• Studio: Walt Disney Studios

Photos provided by Walt Disney Studios. Used with permission.