No pooh-poohing this one. Kids from two to pooh-berty (sorry, couldn’t resist), their parents and grandparents will love this one.
Three words make Walt Disney Studios’ remake of Winnie the Pooh a rarity. Clever, entertaining and G-rated. Most G-rated flicks are sleep-inducing twaddle. Pooh and his pals pack this adventure with terrific music, a great bit on knots that classic comedians Abbot and Costello would love, and a fun outtake at the end of the credits that adds an exclamation mark to a first-rate family film.
And do stay through the credits. The characters do some antics while they roll and there's a fun -- but quick -- scene is added at the end.
-- Local show times, theaters, trailer.
Even more amazing, like a ghost of Disney past, Winnie the Pooh is hand-drawn. It is also written by nine writers. Normally that many writers is the kiss of death. This is where the “clever” comes into play. For example, as parts of Pooh’s story are narrated, the characters wander through the pages of a book, tripping over and getting tangled up in the letters on the page.
The story starts slow but eventually settles on a plot involving a confusing note from Christopher Robin. Owl misinterprets “back soon” to be “backson” and is convinced that their beloved Christopher has been kidnapped by the horrifying beast -- the backson -- and they must rescue him.
A not-so-star-studded cast does the vocal chores. Known quantities are John Cleese as the narrator with animated feature staple Jim Cummings vocalizing Pooh and Tigger and late-night TV talk show host Craig Ferguson as Owl. They and unknown others do a great job of imitating the vocal talents of the Disney’s shorts from the 1960s and the 1977 original full-length feature.
Noteworthy, too, are some great songs from actress Zooey Dechanel (500 Days of Summer). She writes one and does two more, including a terrific version of A Very Important Thing to Do from the original film.
While most of the world is standing in packed lines to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, real magic can be found in Winnie the Pooh.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Rated G. It opens Friday, July 15 at the Carmike 12 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
