Christopher Robin (2018)

User Review

• 

  Barneyonmovies

  9 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: Disney's Toy Story trilogy has already showed us the heart-wrenching journey of watching a kid grow up, but what about when the growing up is done and the big kid in question looks back on their distant childhood memories? Well Marc Forster's 'Christopher Robin,' aims to tell that emotional tale as an over-worked and down-trodden adult Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is re-acquainted with his talking childhood toy Winnie The Pooh who drags him on an adventure where he begins to rediscover his childhood.
  The film opens seeing a young Christopher leaving home in a way that provokes memories of the heartbreak that we all felt in Toy Story 3 mixed with the nostalgia that many of us have for previous incarnations of A. Milne's classic tales, and when we catch up with Robin again years later, it only becomes increasingly clear that this film is a thoroughly emotional one about the ways people change as they grow into adulthood and learning the merits of living in the moment like a child. Yes this really is a proper tear-jerker of a movie this one, as these are not only themes that we can all relate to, but the way the characters are built within the story makes it even more engaging as Ewan McGregor delivers a very touching central performance whilst the toys are brought to life brilliantly and the relationship between the adult Robin and Pooh brilliantly plays on the relationship that Robin has with his own childhood self.
  But that's not to say that it's all serious emotion here, as this film also packs plenty of Disney charm and genuine laugh-out-loud humour as we see the simple talking toys in many a hilarious everyday scenario, and all of that elevates this film to one that's essentially universal. The themes and central character arc are deeply affecting and touching for adults, and the lightness of touch and humour make it fun for all the family, and in the end what you've got is a film that not only reaches the heights of its source material with a brilliant adaptation, but also the heights of Disney's own Toy Story, and that - make no mistake - is one heck of a compliment to pay.
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The narrative is arguably rather predictable once it's been set on its course, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when it's so touching and littered with joy.
  VERDICT: An emotionally-affecting and ultimately joyous film for the whole family to enjoy, Marc Forster's 'Christopher Robin,' hits Disney's highest heights in one of the biggest surprises of the year so far. What a brilliant little film.

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