Christopher Robin: Movie Review
MPAA RATING:
PG for some action
GENRES:
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
RELEASE:
August 3, 2018
STARRING:
Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Mark Gatiss
DIRECTOR:
Marc Forster
Happens to all of us. We grow up. We trade our childlike faith, our world-creating imaginations for security and responsibility.
It's called adulting. And, it's what we see Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) has done in Disney's new live action venture back into the Hundred Acre Wood.
With more important matters to deal with at the office, Robin consistently chooses work over spending precious time with his loving wife (Hayley Atwell) and daughter. When his childhood friend, Winnie the Pooh, appears in London, Robin’s initially too busy to be bothered. Eventually, he makes the trip back to his country home to help Pooh find their missing friends, Rabbit, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. What Robin ultimately discovers helps set everything to right.
Christopher Robin is an adorable film about an anxious middle-aged man, who struggles to appreciate the joys in life. Even with his family by his side, he gives all of his time and attention to his work. He’s so focused on what he does; he’s forgotten who he is. When he remembers, he’s fulfilled.
On the surface, Robin's story might seem to belittle the importance of hard work and responsibility. It doesn’t. Being a hard worker and a dreamer aren't mutually exclusive. Of course, adults need to adult. But, what if we could all reclaim just a sliver of our God-given creativity, the sense of wonder we had as children? What if all of our workaholic tendencies gave way to more time with our families? What if our 100-mph lives halted for a bit and instead we just did nothing, absolutely nothing, except be in the moment? Yes, preparing for the future is sensible. But, is it wise to be so caught up in what we have to do for tomorrow that we miss out on living today?
Rated PG for some action, Christopher Robin is fairly safe for the whole family. There is a WWII battle scene. Not much is shown up close, but loud explosions and frightened soldiers do appear on screen.
Christopher Robin is comical and heartwarming, but small children may not be sufficiently entertained throughout. This is a somewhat introspective film that may be more suited for the adults who grew up reading and loving Winnie the Pooh's adventures.
