SYNOPSIS: Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with “Winnie the Pooh.” Featuring the timeless charm, wit and whimsy of the original short films, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. “Ever have one of those days where you just can’t win, Eeyore?” asks Pooh. Owl sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some honey. Inspired by three stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style.

REVIEW: I know, I know, I constantly reference my own experiences with my children when reviewing a kids film, but that’s who I am! I’m a Mom above all. That said, I have to tell you that when I was a brand new Mommy (18 years ago, my Lord!), I walked into a consignment store and found a full collection of the Winnie The Pooh videos and felt like I had just hit the jackpot. Even though my baby Dexter was only a few months old, I knew that I had found a treasure that would be enjoyed by him and his future siblings for years to come. So you have to understand, I know the Winnie The Pooh films back and forth and top to bottom. My personal favorite is The Blustery Day! What imagination, what a story and there was adventure and a little bit of scariness (Heffalumps and Whoosels), friends helping friends, just so much story! To this day, when it’s rainy and windy outside, I want to come home, curl up under my blanket and watch The Blustery Day. My last baby, Ralphie who is all of nine years old, said that “although it was short like one of the TV episodes, he had to see the film because Winnie the Pooh is one of my childhood heroes” so off we went to have a look.

Another thing about me that is obvious in my reviews is that I am a purist. Yes, I enjoy a Pixar computer-animated film as much as the next guy, but for some time now, I have been saying that it shouldn’t be an all or none type situation when it comes to animation! Traditional animation has its place and that place is children‘s films not just in some obscure foreign documentary. I love the simplicity and beauty of the old Disney style animation. But there were a couple of things that kept me from rating this film 5 stars. One thing, as Ralphie mentioned, is that the film did feel short. I heard several voices in the audience complain when the movie ended and so the film did feel more like a TV episode than a full fledged movie. The second was that, and now this may just be my opinion, but there was a vibrancy of color missing. If this was based on the old fashioned Pooh books, then I can understand, but even Tigger looked a little less bright. And finally, the story was missing just a little oomph. It was awesome to see all of the friends from the Hundred Acre Woods, working to help their friend Eeyore find his missing tail. There was the adventure that ensued. Pooh, as usual was preoccupied with finding honey of course but there was a little underlying slowness, just slightly that made me think that The Blustery Day was much more exciting.

I have to mention that the soundtrack of this film is precious, but not just precious as in play it for your kids to fall asleep, it is truly beautiful, sweet and lovely. Helping make this soundtrack so lovely, is Miss Zooey Deschanel. Her’s is the voice in most of the songs during the film and I have to say her voice to me sounds as if it was made of the sweet innocent stuff that is an A.A. Milne story. Bottom line, go and get re-acquainted with your old pals, Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet and the rest of the gang, and oh, yes, take your kids too.