Christopher Robin: a review
Directed by:
Marc Forster
The Cast:
Ewan
McGregor – Christopher Robin
Hayley
Atwell – Evelyn Robin
Bronte
Carmichael – Madelyn Robin
Jim
Cummings – Winnie-the-Pooh/Tigger
Brad
Garrett – Eeyore
Peter
Capaldi – Rabbit
Mark
Gatiss – Giles Winslow
Ronke
Adekoluejo – Katherine Dane
Adrian
Scarborough – Hal Gallsworthy
Amanda
Lawrence – Joan Macmillan
Nick
Mohammed – Piglet
Toby
Jones – Owl
Sophie
Okonedo – Kanga
Sara
Sheen – Roo
Oliver
Ford Davies – Old Man Winslow
Mackensie
Crook – Newspaper Seller
Simon
Farnaby – Taxi Driver
Matt
Berry – Policeman Bobby
Certificate:
PG
UK Cinema release:
16th
August 2018
The Plot:
Audiences
may be familiar with Christopher Robin's adventures in the Hundred
Acre Wood; but, like all children, Christopher (McGregor) has since
grown up and now has a family of his own.
Except he is too busy working to spend time with his wife Evelyn
(Atwell, Cinderella)
and daughter, and stays behind when they return to where he spent so
much of his childhood. Imagine Christopher's bewilderment, then, when
Winnie-the-Pooh finds him again, after all this time. Pooh is
desperate to find his missing friends, and he needs Christopher
Robin's help.
The
Review:
There
are obvious parallels with Hook
here.
Nostalgic abounds; the good news is Christopher
Robin does
it without laying the schmaltz on too thick (something I think
Spielberg does far too often). McGregor is charming and likeable as
an older, more reserved Christopher. Given the opening credits
feature a montage of moments throughout his life (alongside the
illustrations straight from A.A Milne's books), it is easy for the
audience to feel empathy for him. It makes one wonder how he managed
to get through boarding-school, especially as that is where the
original animated film ends.
Mark Gatiss is at his best here, as Christopher's useless manager
(and son of the founder – nepotism, eh?), but much of the laughs
comes from Pooh and Christopher's interactions. The adults in the
audience will also appreciate Eeyore's ever-pessimistic observations,
and that Tigger song we all know off by heart.
The only problem with this film is that it only really appeals to
children and people who have grown up watching anything to do with
Winnie-the-Pooh. Anyone else is likely to get bored.
The
Verdict: 4 STARS OUT OF 5
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