Rating: B+
Christopher Robin, Winnie The Pooh, and the gang are back in the new film titled simply Christopher Robin. They are back and are reminding us to remember the important things in life. This film shows us a Young Christopher Robin who is about to grow up and leave the Hundred Acre Woods as he is sent off to boarding school and forced into adulthood. We pick back up with him as a grown man (played by Ewan McGregor) who is married with a young daughter and is working way more than he should at a job that doesn't really appreciate him. He is very much a man who has lost sight of the important things in life and on top of that forgotten his old friends and the lessons they have taught him. After a few unexpected surprises, Christopher finds himself face to face with the small bear who once meant so much to him and once again allows himself to go on an adventure to rescue the rest of the gang and just maybe remind him of who he used to be.
Ewan McGregor seems like a perfect choice for the title role of Christopher Robin. he can easily play both sides of that coin in that he can be the cold and detached working man who only cares about success, but also in an instant can flip the switch to being the caring and loving boy that he used to be. Now don't get me wrong, you are probably going to really dislike Christopher for the majority of this movie since he is a bit a stubborn, but the adventure that brings him to realizations about himself is what the story is all about, right? Haley Atwell plays Evelyn, Christopher's wife and Bronte Carmichael plays Madeline Robin, his young daughter. Both women try their best to stand by Christopher despite how difficult he tends to make things, neither quite ready to give up on him yet. Evelyn holding on to the memory of the carefree man she fell in love with and Madeline holding on to hope that her father will be the loving supportive dad she has always wanted. You really feel for these two just want the best for their family and to fix the things that are clearly broken about it.
Hands down the best part of the film are our small furry animated cast. Winnie The Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and the rest of the gang clearly steal the show here. It is easy to see why so many have fallen in love with these characters. Their innocence and simple, but positive outlooks are the breath of fresh air the film needs to carry it to the end. They are funny to watch and absolutely adorable. Pooh is one of the most expressive characters in the film, even if he isn't exactly real. You will find it hard not to want to pick up and hug Eeyore every time he says anything in the movie. The animators and cast have really done a great job putting this together. Blurring the lines of what is real and imaginary is sure to capture the hearts of young children watching the film, even if the rest of the "grown-up stuff" may go over their heads a bit.
This is a very cute movie and we gave this one a B+. It is heartfelt and sweet and is a wonderful reminder to not let life pass you by or to focus on things that can wait. Enjoy the precious moments and people in your life and make that your priority. The rest will sort itself out. As a wise bear said, sometimes the best things come from doing nothing. So do yourself a solid and head to the theater this weekend and check out Christopher Robin which hits theaters everywhere August 3rd.