‘Christopher Robin’ is Undeniably Charming, but Fails to Amaze
By: Cameron Opartkiettikul
Tags: First Post, Movie Review, Movies, Childhood, Disney

Grade: 4.0/5.0

Everyone knows the chubby, adorable, and philosophical yellow bear named Winnie the Pooh whose ultimate goal is to eat more honey. In fact, the fantastical Pooh universe has been shared with many people around the world who grew up watching and reading about these characters, which undoubtedly put pressure on Walt Disney studios to honor it’s decades-long legacy when they decided to take Pooh and friends to the big screen. Although, they didn’t nearly disappoint ‘Christopher Robin’ doesn’t live up to or surpass the quality of its Disney counterparts.

The film opens up with a rather touching montage showcasing Christopher’s transition from childhood to adulthood: Christopher’s (Ewan McGregor) ostensible goodbye forever to Pooh (Jim Cummings) and friends as he leaves for boarding school at a young age, his father’s death when he was still a boy, meeting and marrying Evelyn (Hayley Atwell), joining the British army to fight in WWII, and having a daughter named Madeleine (Bronte Carmichael). Albeit, the montage includes sentimental topics it was missing one of the main sources of storytelling leaving it lacking in emotional power and depth. It needed a wonderful score to magnify the audiences’ feelings similar to how the beginning of the Pixar film ‘Up’ did.

Due to life-changing experiences like death, love, and violence this all sets up the main plot dilemma as Christopher losing his perspective on life. This is especially evident in the way he prioritizes his work as an efficiency expert at Winslow Luggages in London instead of spending more quality time with his family. Fortunately, childhood friend Pooh is in need of help when he can’t find his other pals in Hundred Acre Wood and reaches out to Christopher who is unaware that he himself needs help. Christopher is more bothered than joyful to meet Pooh again since he has so much work, but unbeknown to him that in the process of finding Eeyore (Brad Garrett), Piglet (Nick Mohammed), Tigger (Jim Cummings), and others he also rediscovers his childhood self and is reminded of how much family and friends matter in life.

Screenwriters Allison Schroeder, Tom McCarthy, Mark Steven Johnson, and Alex Ross Perry One deliver an overall simplistic plot, but one of the more nuanced subplots was how each coworker Christopher worked with at Winslow Luggages resembled each of his childhood friends. Even though they didn’t play a larger role in the film their purpose in the story was perfectly clear. Christopher’s friends have never left him. Even when Christopher wasn’t cognizant of them being there with him they still never left him; therefore, elevating the message that best friends never leave you.

Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of this film is its animation style. It’s not an overstatement to say that it looks like stuffed animals come to life. The countenance of the animals throughout the film, the realistic fur as if it can be touched, and the way artists modeled how they walk and talk was a joy to witness. It is equally impressive to understand the actors and actresses gave a convincing performance while having to talk with a stuffed animal as if they were talking back.

Many people must be expecting to cry, smile, and laugh throughout this film and that’s exactly what it does. In large part due to the heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments between Christopher and Pooh and Pooh’s clever epigrams serving as gentle eye openers of life.

“What day is it?” — Pooh “It’s today.” — Christopher “Oh, my favorite day.”

In this scene, an uplifting reminder is given to the audience to live their lives cherishing and appreciating each day instead of perpetually worrying about the next. It is moving scenes like these that were the most memorable and added with the nostalgia factor it made for a satisfying film.

Humorous silly quips between Christopher and Pooh are scattered throughout saving the film from diving too deep into the underbelly and seriousness of real life in the city.

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” — Pooh

Feeling as if they are doing nothing is a funny sentiment anyone can relate to, but Pooh takes it further reminding the audience that contentment is valuable in a world where said people are constantly busying themselves to achieve something. He is living his best life eating honey all the time, but Christopher is neglecting his family while running around working tirelessly in an unfulfilling job.

‘Christopher Robin’ delivers in its promise for a pleasant film, but hardly challenges or breaks the limits of the animated storytelling genre Disney is renowned for. Nonetheless, it will only leave audiences with gleeful smiles and a refreshed mindset as Christopher’s wife Evelyn said,