Winnie the Pooh is Back in a Wonderful New Adventure for 2011

Everyone’s favorite silly old bear is back in a brand new adventure that is filled with all of the best the Winnie the Pooh series has to offer.

My family and I were invited to a media preview of the movie that hits theaters July 15, and my daughter has been telling anyone who will listen that we went to see “Winnie and the Pooh.” (That’s what she calls him.) It was a delightful movie holding true to the original story and characters with a good-for-the-whole-family story line that was simple and classic. (A stark contrast to the recently released CARS 2 that I would argue should be rated PG.)

*** Spoiler Alert – I won’t giveaway much… but be warned a few movie details follow. ***

There is always adventure to be had in the Hundred Acre Woods, and this tale was no different. Reminicent of Pooh’s adventures with the Heffalumps and Woozles, this story hinges around the capture of the dreaded “Backson.” A character created entirely in the mind of owl with a little help from his over imaginative friends. The Backson is said to be the very same creature who scribbles in all of your books, break all of your crayons, puts holes in your socks and many more household hi-jinx (in case you were wondering who did all of those things). I am completely in love with The Backson Song and it’s cleaver explanations for these common complaints (including waking sleeping babies up at one and three, which is the only thing my daughter remembers from the song).

Speaking of songs, the movie is filled with memorable songs and Zooey Deschanel’s voice is so perfect for the movie. I actually love the entire soundtrack, and believe I will be purchasing it for my daughter me.

Of course, Pooh’s never-ending search for honey also plays a rather large role in the film along side the search for Eeyore’s missing tale. The search for Eyeore’s missing tail leads to some of the funnier moments in the movie as the band of friends try everything they can think of to replace the missing tail. My daughter found the anchor replacement to be particularly funny and completely cracked up.

Narrated by John Cleese, Pooh’s new story follows the classic Pooh model from the 1977 Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opening in Christopher Robin’s room and leading into the storybook with the narrator interacting with Pooh as he hops from page to page. Slightly updated, I quite enjoyed the play on words through out the story.

While Pooh still sounds like Pooh, my only complaint about the movie was that I was a little taken back by Owl, Rabbit and Kanga’s voices sounding quite different to me at first. Although I got used to them throughout the film.

Winnie the Pooh fans young and old will not be disappointed in new classic tale. With a running time of slightly over an hour, it is the perfect length to fit in all of the adventure and hold the little one’s attention until the final credits. In any movie, my daughter loves to watch the credits, and for Winnie the Pooh I suggest you do too.

Disclosure – I was invited to a media preview to facilitate this review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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