CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) Review.

AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh and its accompanying vast number of characters is timeless. There will not be a time when they fade into obscurity and with the release of Christopher Robin there is the potential for a new generation to be introduced to Pooh. Last year we saw the tragic side of Pooh through Goodbye Christopher Robin, in this film we see the warmth of this world. In many ways Christopher Robin is quintessentially a film and family and loss. Furthermore, the origins of the series remain intact. The British heart is still clear to see even being produced by an American studio: Disney.

                                                                   Home is where the heart is for Pooh and Robin

                                

Christopher Robin is directed by Marc Forster who is best known for the great pieces that are Finding Neverland and The Kite Runner. Two films which share the core theme we see in Christopher Robin, that of childhood. Led by Ewan McGregor who manages to portray the strained life that Christopher Robin has had. Supported by Hayley Atwell, as well as a terrific voice cast led of by Jim Cummings who seems to be the perfect voice for Pooh. The innocent child like mannerisms particularly come into play as Pooh enters the strange world of London. It is also worth highlighting of the similarities between Pooh in London and Paddington. Cummings also voices Tigger who is great and brings the comedy to the hundred-acre wood, lighting the scene up with a great couple of one liners.

Christopher Robin is shown through the point of view of the two main characters in the Pooh world: Christopher Robin and Pooh. The contrast in their life is beautiful to see. Despite being in different worlds for decades they have still held onto the emotional connection between the two. A shot between the two on the top of the hill keeps coming back in the film. The tranquillity of this shot epitomises the series. By the time the older Christopher Robin is introduced to the audience he is a broken man. Someone who has forgot what is important in life and it takes the arrival of his oldest childhood friend to realise what is important. The film takes him on a series of self-discovery, the innocent nature of Pooh is the perfect foil for Christopher Robin. He does not know any other way to act.

                                                

                                                      Pooh and Robin finding each other again atop the hill. 

Christopher Robin will impact people in different ways. If one has grown up on these characters, then they will have more of an attachment with the film. From the opening prologue I had a tear in my eye especially as they bid farewell to Christopher Robin as he heads off to boarding school, which becomes a key part of his characterisation and plays an important role in the conclusion of the film. Christopher Robin is not done in a childish way, like Pixar it is a film that will appeal to multiple generations and therein lies its greatest strength. Christopher Robin is simply a great story about friendship and childhood without being goofy. Towing the line between sentimental and silliness is something Marc Forster does well.

Christopher Robin is a family film, but it offers a nice turn of pace from the big giant movies. Christopher Robin is not necessarily the sort of film everyone in the family sees at the theatres on an opening weekend but more so the one the entire family can enjoy on a Friday night sitting in the living room, and I think that is befitting of these characters. They have never lost sight of who they are and if all else fails the warmth of Christopher Robin will win over and I fear many of us will be susceptible to that.  

Christopher Robin can currently be seen in cinemas nationwide.

Rating: 4/5. ****