When thinking about popular movie genres that college students enjoy, the first ones that usually come to mind are romantic comedies, horror, action and drama. However, many students have a special affinity for Disney classics. They provide stressed and homesick students with a nostalgic reprieve from academics. Originally created by A.A. Milne in 1928, the classic movie and tv show “Winnie The Pooh” was recently transformed into a live-action animated film called “Christopher Robin”.
The adventure comedy was released in theaters on Aug. 3, and had many audience members surprised at the new and interesting spin taken on the seemingly traditional fan favorite. After being dragged to the movies by my friends, I never expected to leave the theater for the first time in happy tears.
The film centers around an adult Christopher Robin, played by Ewan McGregor, a hardworking man who dedicates much of his time to working at a luggage factory. His wife, Evelyn Robin, played by Hayley Atwell, takes care of their daughter Madeline, played by Bronte Carmichael. Christopher Robin makes plans to send Madeline away to boarding school, and both Evelyn and Madeline are reluctant to make time for Christopher because of how busy he is.
The film flashes back to many scenes from Christopher Robin’s past that are interwoven into the plot. These flashback scenes include a goodbye party held for Christopher Robin by his friends before he leaves for boarding school as a child. Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Pooh, Kanga and several other animals gather at a table in the forest to wish him a melancholy goodbye. When the movie returns to the present, Christopher Robin misses a family weekend in Sussex because of his responsibilities at work.
His world turns upside down when a lost Pooh finds himself on a bench in the middle of modern day London, trying to figure out a way to return to the woods. Pooh and Christopher work together to get Pooh back home without Christopher’s family noticing his absence, and Christopher Robin has to cope with his childhood fantasy world and his adult life colliding head-on.
Although rated PG, there were a lot of jokes and references in the film that were geared toward young adults and older audience members. It also taught a big lesson throughout, which was to always make time for your family and appreciate how important they are.
The setting took place in London during the early 20th century, and the familiar Hundred Acre Wood. What is so interesting about this take on the classic story of Pooh and his friends is that the film shifted from animation to live-action throughout the movie.
In London, Christopher Robin was a real human character who worked and raised a family in a town setting. When Christopher Robin crossed over into the land of the Hundred Acre Woods, he remained a live actor, but Winnie the Pooh and all his furry friends were animated creatures.
The movie was directed by Marc Forster, who is known for directing World War Z and Finding Neverland. It is still in theaters around the country and has racked up over $100 billion in revenue from the box office so far.
