A fantastic adaptation and companion to the Milne stories that whilst squarely aimed at very young children has enough warmth and humour to be enjoyed by adults too. More so than other Disney adaptations of famous children's stories, the film never lets the audience forget its literary origins. The episodic nature of the plot is actually amplified rather than hidden. Thus like many Disney films it opens with a book and is introduced by a narrator, but in some beautifully judged moments, the characters break the fourth wall and interact with both the narrator and the book itself. Themes of friendship and kindness as well as fears of loneliness and darkness are all played out over 3 stories which capture the whimsy, humour and imagination from the books. The animation has a quaint timeless quality that captures Shepard's original artwork from the books too. Given that the film essentially brings together three shorts previously made (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too) each of the film's stories can be enjoyed separately, but the links between the episodes are cleverly done, not least with a final coda to the film that is tinged with regret and sadness not just that childhood eventually has to come to an end, but that it is so easy to forget it. Perhaps that final reminder to both adults and children that the wonder, whimsy and imagination of childhood are there to be celebrated and cherished is the best tribute to the book the film can offer.
Review by Simon MasseyVIP 11BlockedParent2014-06-23T15:04:55Z
A fantastic adaptation and companion to the Milne stories that whilst squarely aimed at very young children has enough warmth and humour to be enjoyed by adults too. More so than other Disney adaptations of famous children's stories, the film never lets the audience forget its literary origins. The episodic nature of the plot is actually amplified rather than hidden. Thus like many Disney films it opens with a book and is introduced by a narrator, but in some beautifully judged moments, the characters break the fourth wall and interact with both the narrator and the book itself. Themes of friendship and kindness as well as fears of loneliness and darkness are all played out over 3 stories which capture the whimsy, humour and imagination from the books. The animation has a quaint timeless quality that captures Shepard's original artwork from the books too. Given that the film essentially brings together three shorts previously made (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too) each of the film's stories can be enjoyed separately, but the links between the episodes are cleverly done, not least with a final coda to the film that is tinged with regret and sadness not just that childhood eventually has to come to an end, but that it is so easy to forget it. Perhaps that final reminder to both adults and children that the wonder, whimsy and imagination of childhood are there to be celebrated and cherished is the best tribute to the book the film can offer.