Christopher Robin may star Star Wars' Ewan McGregor and Agent Carter's Hayley Atwell, but it ruins Winnie the Pooh [Review]
This horrible mess of a film will ruin your happy memories of Pooh and friends forever
Do you want Paddington with none of the charm, humour or fun? If so, Disney’s latest live-action release, Christopher Robin, is the film for you.
Thirty years after his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) – now with a wife and young daughter– has become a boring, neglectful workaholic. After bailing on a family weekend due to work commitments, he is unexpectedly reunited with Pooh (voiced by Jim Cummings), who enlists his help in finding his lost friends. In doing so, Christopher Robin re-learns how to have fun and appreciate the people he loves.
The biggest problem with the film is the writing. The story of a stickler who regains his innocence and learns the value of family is every bit as predictable and clichéd as you’d expect. Add to that a dull, directionless plot and some truly terrible attempts at comedy, and you have a script that feels more like the half-baked notes of the titular character’s young daughter.
5 films you'll want to see at this year's Hong Kong Kids International Film Festival
The film does try to have some sentimental moments between Christopher Robin, his daughter and his stuffed animal friends. But they just feel shallow and unearned as none of these relationships are given any real development.
What’s more, the designs for Pooh and his friends are just creepy. With their faded fur and blank, expressionless faces, they look more like possessed characters from a horror film than beloved childhood toys.
On the plus side, the voice acting is spot on, and Hayley Atwell gives a good performance as Christopher Robin’s frustrated, lonely wife.
Unless you’re a massive fan of Winnie the Pooh, this is a snorefest that you can afford to ignore.
Edited by Karly Cox