Movie Review: Winnie The Pooh

Got an invite from sir Jay Gonzales to watch the exclusive movie screening of Winnie The Pooh with fellow movie bloggers at MyCinema in Greenbelt 3, Ayala Malls, Makati City.

This is actually my 1st time to see the animated version of Winnie The Pooh although I am not a fan, I am very much familiar how popular Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood  (I actually know all their names by heart) because their images (books and stuff toys) are almost in every kids stores. My former girlfriend even like Piglet while I’ve been  fascinated by Tigger who hops like a Kangaroo using his tail.

Anyways, I am happy to see the classic Winnie the Pooh version and not the usual 3D and animation applied to the likes of Garfield, The Smurfs and Yogi Bear. I think I like Winnie the Pooh as it is.

If you are not familiar with Winnie The Pooh’s story, don’t worry because the movie is like a story book being read by its voice over and some scenes are literally flipping pages which is actually cute.

Here’s the synopsis of the movie I found here:

With the charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo-and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. “Well a tail is either there or it isn’t there,” said Pooh. “And yours isn’t… there.” Owl sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some hunny.

The movie is actually fun to watch. Although I am not sure if this is the kind of cartoons I want kids to watch because although the characters are cute and there are moral lessons (like sharing, helping and being a good friend), the characters are actually all shallow. I’m not sure if kids can actually understand the humor but their actions (clumsiness) is enough to make every kids giggles.

One thing I love though with the movie are the songs used which some of it was sang by my favorite actress Zoeey Deschanel. You can check my separate post here.

And here are the main characters of the movie:

WINNIE  THE  POOH  (voice of Jim Cummings) is a self-described “bear of very little brain,” but  the  lovable bear who’s stuffed with fluff has an uncommon, clear-eyed philosophy that’s admired worldwide. “There’s a wisdom to  Winnie  the  Pooh  that comes through in a very subtle way,” says producer Peter Del Vecho. “It’s about enjoying friends, enjoying family, enjoying life. It returns us to a simpler time.”

Pooh  is a loyal friend to his neighbors in Hundred Acre Wood. He’s always willing to lend a helping paw-and he’s more than happy to share a jar of honey with anyone who’s interested. Indeed,  Winnie  the  Pooh  has an endless craving for honey or a smackerel of whatever is at hand to soothe that insatiable “rumbly in his tumbly.”

PIGLET (voice of Travis Oates) is a soft-spoken and skittish little fellow whose generosity and humility far outweigh his meager size. His fastidious movements, anxious wringing of his hands and adorable stutter-“Oh d-d-d-dear”-convey his nervousness and fear of  the  unknown. “The  wonderful thing about Piglet is he’s frightened of everything and yet he still goes out and faces  the  world alongside his friends,” says Travis Oates, who provides  the  voice of Piglet.

TIGGER (voice of Jim Cummings) is an exuberant, one-of-a-kind creature with  the  famously springy tail. He acts on every impulse, and his boisterous manner often leads him to leap before he looks. Tigger’s bouncing is a pure expression of his utter zest for life-a joy he’s always eager to share with his friends.

Tigger’s unique personality extends to his original use of language, which often results in his trademark twists of phrase and malapropisms. Says Tigger to Eeyore: “We just need to get you Tiggerized!”

EEYORE (voice of Bud Luckey) is everyone’s favorite delightfully dismal donkey. But Eeyore doesn’t see himself as gloomy-he just has low expectations. He’d likely be shocked-and perhaps somewhat disappointed-to learn that he takes center stage in  the  new film. According to supervising animator Randy Haycock, “Eeyore actually plays a pretty significant role in this movie, maybe more significant than any of  the  other films, because  the  central storyline revolves around  the  fact that he’s lost his tail and everybody’s trying to help him find a new tail.”

OWL (voice of Craig Ferguson). Everyone knows that owls are  the  wisest of all creatures, and Owl knows everything-at least, he thinks he does, even if his information (and his spelling!) often turns out to be not quite right. Although Owl can be a know-it-all, he does want to help his friends. But it’s his effort to help that often stirs up trouble in  the  Hundred Acre Wood, and Owl stirs it up better than ever in this new adventure.

RABBIT (voice of Tom Kenny) is perhaps  the  smartest of  the  Hundred Acre Wood friends (at least he thinks so), and is often  the  self-appointed leader of  the  group. “If I had to pick one word to describe Rabbit,” says Tom Kenny (who’s also  the  voice of SpongeBob SquarePants), “I’d say he’s a ‘fussbudget’-he’s very fussy, organized, he likes his garden a certain way, he likes his house a certain way, he doesn’t like unexpected visitors-people just showing up at his door throws off his routine and he’s all about routine.”

KANGA (voice of Kristen Anderson-Lopez) — Mom to Roo-is a warm, protective kangaroo. She certainly has her hands (and pouch) full with young Roo, but she manages him with love and patience.

ROO (voice of Wyatt Hall) is a wild young adventurer who wants to go everywhere and try everything. No matter  the  situation-or his mother’s objections-Roo throws himself right in  the  middle of all  the  action. Sometimes Kanga’s over-protective mothering tries Roo’s patience, but in  the  end there’s no place better than being cuddled in his mama’s pouch.

 

Inspired by five stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style, “Winnie the Pooh”  will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4 & Greenbelt 3) starting Oct. 19.