Note: Sorry about lack of any updates recently, been sitting a few exams recently so have naturally been using my time to revise over watching films. However, now the brief exam time is over I shall return to a more consistent pattern of film watching!
Disney, stop messing about with live action, let's all admit it doesn't really work out for you and move on. Because, instead of milking out Pirates of the Caribbeans a few more times or letting Johnny Depp and Tim Burton make a rather tame and mediocre version of Alice In Wonderland you should be focusing all of your money into making more films like this. Winnie The Pooh is a film made for children, but that doesn't mean us beyond our potty training days can't enjoy it too! Effortlessly charming, beautifully animated and clocking in at only just over an hour this is the kind of short and sweet film that'll not only hit the credits before any under 7's reach their attention span limits but also bring a smile to the face of just about anyone who gives it a go.
It's very much old school Disney at their best, not least because of the animation style (which for me is a massive improvement on the overly bright and ultimately soulless recent take on Pooh you can find a picture of here) but because of the real heart it brings back to Disney. There is no threat at any point during the film, more just a series of pleasant mini adventures with the running theme of Pooh's honey craving supported by the colourful main cast of the series. I could say all the voice cast suit wonderfully (which they do) but right now I'd prefer to focus on just how much I enjoyed John Cleese's narration. To hear the man I know so well as grumpy manager Basil Fawlty from all time great British comedy Fawlty Towers become this warm voice of bedtime stories was inspired, not only improving the film but also reinforcing Cleese's reputation as a bit of a national treasure.Also worth noting is Zooey Deschanel's work on the soundtrack, which suited the film's tone perfectly as a light and sweet piece of musical accompaniment.
Winnie The Pooh is just about everything you could ask for as far as children's films go. A warm hearted, short effort with likable characters, valuable life messages and it's a damn fine looking piece of animation to boot. If you have any young relative about to watch films with, use them as an excuse. If you don't, forget the excuse, sit yourself in front of this and for one sweet hour just enjoy that feeling of being six years old again.
9/10
