Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing Disney’s new animated feature “Winnie the Pooh” (2011). In the current world of screen-popping 3D special effects, this gentle traditional animation is a breath of fresh air. Although the story is definitely aimed at the youngest of theatre-goers, the writers included enough puns and fun moments that adults can enjoy it as well – if they are able to release their inner-child. Directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall, this film pays homage to the Winnie the Pooh films created at the end of Walt Disney’s life. I think this animation would make Walt and his original animation team, the Nine Old Men, very proud – with great work by supervising animators Mark Henn (Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin), Dale Baer (Owl). Bruce W. Smith (Kanga, Roo and Piglet), Andreas Deja (Tigger), Eric Goldberg (Rabbit), and Randy Haycock (Eeyore).
For me, the film worked. The animation is stellar, and seeing quality traditional animation on the big screen is a rare treat these days. Most of the voice-casting is spot-on. With the realization that most of the original voices (Sebastian Cabot as the narrator; Sterling Holloway as Pooh; Paul Winchell as Tigger; John Fiedler as Piglet; Junius Matthews as Rabbit; Ralph Wright as Eeyore; and Barbara Luddy as Kanga) have passed away, and the young actors who played Christopher Robin and Roo are somewhat beyond the age to play these characters again, Disney had to recast the entire crew. Most of the voices are terrific: Jim Cummings as both Winnie the Pooh and Tigger proves once again why he is in such demand for voice work; Cummings is truly the modern-day Mel Blanc. John Cleese does an exceptional job as the gentle narrator taking us through the 100-Acre Wood, and Craig Ferguson as Owl nearly steals the show. Bud Luckey as Eeyore and Travis Oates as Piglet are quite good, and Tom Kenny (better known for his work as Spongebob Squarepants) provided a nice voice as Rabbit, although I much prefer Junius Matthews’ version.
My biggest complaint about our modern Pooh film lies in the music, primarily provided by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The songs do not seem to fit the original Disney Pooh style, created by the irreplaceable Richard and Robert Sherman in their songs and music. (Anderson-Lopez also voiced Kanga and ended up sounding more like a teen mom than a wise, motherly kangaroo.) Worse yet was the wonderful opening song which was written by the Sherman Brothers for the first 1966 Winnie the Pooh film but was sung in a jazzy, lounge-act style by Zooey Deschanel – very out of place and time. Indeed, the producers had Deschanel sing a total of 3 songs for the film. These may be fine for radio, but not for this film.
Our lovable. hungry bear first graced the world in a novel written by A.A. Milne in “Winnie-the-Pooh” in 1926 with a sequel “The House at Pooh Corner” in 1928. Disney released three short films “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” (1966), “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” (1968) and “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too” (1974) – the first two directed by Old Man Wolfgang Reitherman and the third by Old Man John Lounsbery. Three years later, Disney combined the three shorts into one feature film “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1977); this Pooh was my childhood friend. (Christopher Robin was gracious enough to share his bear with many of us.) The new “Winnie the Pooh” film fits nicely into the Disney collection of Pooh films and will no doubt be a classic one day.
I must mention one more Winnie the Pooh series: “Vinnie Pukh” (1969), “Vinni Pukh Goes Visiting” (1971) and “Vinni Pukh and the Day of Concern” (1972) created by Russian animator Fyodor Khitruk. Eventually these three were combined into “Vinni Pukh and His Friends.” These colorful renditions of Milne’s stories provide bright colors and fresh laughs for modern audiences as well. Legend has it that Walt Disney complimented Khitruk on his fine animation. Fortunately for animation lovers, Khitruk’s Winnie the Pooh can be viewed on the internet along with his other wonderful animations. You’ll probably want to turn on the closed captioning – (click the CC at the bottom): “Vinni Pukh” – Enjoy!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it and that, generally, they did a good job =) I too watched a lot of Pooh as a young’n, with “The Blustery Day” taking top prize for me. Looking back on it, I believe I was most entranced by the psychedelic “Hephalumps and Woozles” bit, especially the slightly scary tone it had (prepping me for the greatness of the “Pink Elephants on Parade” sequence in “Dumbo.”). Additionally, fall has always been my favorite time of year, even as a little tyke. Nothing says leaves falling like “The Blustery Day.”
As an adult, my wife has retained her love of Pooh, or I should say, of certain Pooh characters. Eeyore is her favorite, as demonstrated by more than one piece of her clothing. I don’t quite remember when I lost my taste for Pooh (quit giggling!), but I did. I DO know why though. The Pooh cartoons make me sad and weepy, ESPECIALLY as I get older. To confirm this, I just watched a clip. It’s the same kind of feeling I get from “Puff, The Magic Dragon” or the Irish Rover’s version of “The Unicorn Song.” It has to do with the loss of innocence, of leaving that childhood behind. I don’t like that Christopher Robbins is always on the cusp of growing too old for the toys. That’s one of the reasons I will NEVER see “Toy Story 3.” Now, don’t get me wrong. I feel that one of the marks of a great film is that it makes you FEEL something. And I love being put through the emotional wringer by a good movie. But this is a feeling that I have plenty enough of on my own; no need to fan THAT flame. It’s not that I don’t like the Pooh cartoons; I think they’re great…they’re just too painful for me. When I see Piglet holding hands with Pooh…it just hurts my heart. I know, that’s weird and is probably indicative of some deep seated emotional problem on my part, but it’s what happens to me. So, I’m glad that the new Pooh movie is faithful to the spirit of the Pooh of our youth (despite the inclusion of Zooey’s songs), but I won’t be going to the 100 acre wood anytime soon. That’s why I’ve got you as a friend…to go there for me =)
Your posts encourage me to go to the movies! Nicely done for both the folks in the industry and also for the rest of us!
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