Christopher Robin Review

"Doing nothing often leads to the very best kind of something."


Christopher Robin was directed by Marc Forster, and stars the likes of Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Mark Gatiss, Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett, Nick Mohammed, Peter Capaldi, Toby Jones, Sophie Okonedo and Sara Sheen. The film follows a working class family man Christopher Robin, who encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him rediscover the joys of life.

Christopher Robin is a sweet and charming film which brings some classic and famous characters back onto the big screen in a live action format that we have never seen before on the big screen. One of the strongest aspects of the film is without a doubt Winnie-the-Pooh and friends; the animation style can clearly be linked to the extremely high standard of animation seen in the recent Paddington films, and truly looks stunning on the big screen. The high standard of animation truly makes these characters come to life and really bring a charming element to the film; just seeing these characters come to life in this live action format will truly bring joy to the fans of the characters. The film is also great to look at in terms of the visual style of the film. Marc Forster really takes every chance to show off his visual style and there are some truly beautiful visual moments in the film especially in the hundred acre setting. Ewan McGregor does a solid job as Christopher Robin, and his relationship with on screen Winnie-the-Pooh is truly great and gives some of the most heart warming scenes during the entire film. A special mention has to be given to Brad Garrett who portrays Eeyore in the film. Brad Garrett is incredible and literally steals every scene he is in (I really mean that! he is great!) and his bleak outlook on life is a great contrast to the rest of the characters and this not only creates some heart warming moments but moments of comedy as well.

Whilst Christopher Robin is a sweet and charming film, it is by no way a perfect film. Christopher Robin is a film with some moments of truly brilliant performances and charming heart warming moments with life lessons thrown in there, but contains a lot of unnecessary elements such as unnecessary use of side characters and dialogue that at times really start to distract from what the film really is, a sweet story about learning to enjoy life to the full. Christoper Robin could of been a truly outstanding film, and up there with the likes of Paddington in terms of quality and sheer enjoyment, but suffers from excess content that takes more away from the film, then actually adding to the film. Another issue that I have with the film is the opening sequence that sets up the life of Christopher Robin. Whilst it was nice to have an idea of what Christopher Robin had gone through since leaving the hundred acre wood, it was just handled and represented so quickly that as an audience member I couldn't form any connection to it, as we as the audience were just thrown from one moment in his life to another, without feeling for the character. The film could have done with making the run time slightly longer, or cutting out some of the unnecessary side characters, and dedicate that time to really setting up Christopher Robin allowing the audience to form a relationship and bond with the character.

Overall Christopher Robin is a sweet and charming film that suffers from too many unnecessary side characters that stops the film from truly being great. If you are a fan on Winnie-the-Pooh and friends then there is something to enjoy in terms of how Winnie-the-Pooh and friends are portrayed, but are overall let down but everything else in the film.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars