Disney's Christopher Robin Review - Oh my Childhood

Like with all live action remakes of Disney classics, I waited with baited breath in the cinema, hoping not to be disappointed by this new twist on an old tale from some of my favourite characters.

Keeping spoilers to a minimum, Disney's Christopher Robin follows the titular character in his adult life, seeming having lost his childhood whimsy to the world of responsibilities.

The film holds a somewhat melancholy feel, using de-saturated colours and murky fog within the 100 Acre Wood for pathetic fallacy. Until, of course, Christopher Robin finds his way once more.

From beginning to end, I found myself transported back to the days of when I was a small girl watching the cartoons. Stealing lines from those original episodes, the nostalgia was so strong that it made me emotional.

The film is such a delightful, charming homage to its source that you can forgive the human actors for playing their parts too zealously. Ewan McGregor carries the brightest of smiles, re-imagining an older Christopher both happy and mundane. He is a credit to the film. Though the rest cannot be said for other, minor human characters, they never manage to steal the shine from Pooh Bear and his friends from the wood.

I was ecstatic to find that Jim Cummings, who has voiced Pooh and Tigger since 1988 in the many animated series', continued his role in this film. It was impossible not to fall in love with the film's version of Pooh, still as nonsensical and just as silly and hungry for honey as he ever was.

I'm reserved in saying Christopher Robin was created with children in mind; more that it's a tale for those adults who are still a child at heart. There is mention of war and loss, of bankruptcy and cutbacks. Elements of the film will fly over the heads of children watching it, but Pooh is there to make them smile.

For the adults, it's a walk down memory lane, of nonsensical fun in the 100 acre wood, to remind them that there is more to life than mundane responsibilities, to tell them that loved ones are precious and that happiness can be found in the simplest of things.

I wholeheartedly recommend watching Christopher Robin. Take the family, take your friends, maybe even watch it alone and let the wonder of this innocent, loving film warm even the frostiest of hearts.

"There's always time for a smackeral of wonder" ~ Winnie the Pooh