Christopher Robin starring Ewan Mcgregor and Winnie the Pooh’s original gang, premiered in movie theaters on August 3, 2018 and has become a hit with children and adults alike.
“The movie was just really cute and it made me really happy to watch it. Even the acting was good,” NHS freshman Marie Cullen said.
This film brings back a strong feel of nostalgia for all who grew up following the expeditions of Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo through the Hundred Acre Wood, and is a reminder to put the most important things in life first.
As children grow to adults, it is not unusual for them to forget about how they were when they were kids. The movie starts by showing Christopher Robin saying goodbye to his childhood friends before he heads off to boarding school, as when he is away he will no longer be able to see them. This metaphor of him saying bye to his childhood leads into scenes depicting him after boarding school when he joins the military, falls in love, has a daughter, and lands himself a job at a luggage manufacturing company.
Though it is a good job, it is extremely demanding and is always tearing him away from his family. He constantly has to make the decision between working and spending time with his family, and obviously work always must come first because that is how he supports his family.
The perspective of either the husband, wife or child in this movie is relatable for a wide range of viewers which is part of what makes this movie so touching. Even if a viewer does not relate to either of these positions, the movie causes them to imagine what it would be like if their dad or husband was never there for them or if they always had to leave their families to work.
This is why this movie is good for kids on the surface level, but when you look deeper you can see how the touch of sadness and harsh realities make this movie so important for adults to go see.
Different from the Winnie the Pooh series’ animated past, it is set in live-action London with Mcgregor as Christopher Robin accompanied by his posse of realistic talking, moving stuffed animals.
“Personally, I think that the stuffed animals were a bit creepy. Other than that the movie was really good,” NHS senior Shane Demers said.
The effects with these stuffed animals was greatly done, and even if they do come off as creepy at first, by the end of the movie their personalities will help them grow to seem cute. Pooh, voiced by Jim Cummings, shares his philosophies throughout the movie that teach not only the other characters, but teaches the audience as well.
Pooh always says, “Doing nothing always leads to the very best of something.” Though it may seem silly, this motto reminds people that our lives are way too fast paced and sometimes it is important to take a break to do nothing. Most people think they always have to be doing something in order to be productive, but Pooh reminds everyone that that is not always necessary and you can do great things even when just doing nothing.
When children read this story, they do not interpret these philosophies in the way that adults can, and coming back to them years later and realizing what they meant could be so special.
“My mom would always read me the winnie the pooh books when I was a kid and so that’s why I liked it,” NHS senior Tyler Clure said.
Through one big expedition, Christopher Robin finally realizes that nothing is more important than family and though he must work and be a grown-up, he does not have to lose sense of his childhood, and I think that message is what is great about this movie.
Image courtesy of Variety.