By: debbie lynn elias
Call me crazy or the little girl who never grew up, but there was no way I could pass up reviewing this third installment in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh film franchise. In fact, one of the very first “reviews” I ever wrote was done back in my elementary school days for “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” (which my father has saved after all these years) so it seems only fitting that I take a look some 40 years later at another Pooh adventure, this time with a more “adult eye” but still with just as much joy and elation at the magic of Pooh.
“A mystery of the most mysterious kind” develops in the 100 Acre Wood. A strange trumpeting noise is frightening its residents. Adding to the mystery are some very very very large unidentifiable footprints. Under the guidance of crotchety old Rabbit, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and even little Roo gather to discuss the situation. And leave it to Rabbit to figure out that the noises and the footprints are being caused by none other than the elusive Heffalump. Now for those of you that don’t know, pinkish purple with tufts of hair and a puffy tail, a Heffalump is a “terrible creature, its nose is its tale and the other way around.” (For you Disney aficionados, you may recall that Heffalumps and Woozels were originally introduced in another animated treasure, “The Sword in the Stone”). In the spirit of Eeyore, “Oh, what to do, what to do.” “What to do” is simple if you listen to Rabbit.
With their mission clear, Rabbit decides to send Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger into Heffalump Hollow to capture the ever elusive Heffalump that keeps venturing into 100 Acre Wood. Always eager for an adventure but seemingly always left out because of his tender young age, little Roo is sent home to wait out the mission with his mother Kanga. Not one to be deterred or left out, Roo sets out on his own to capture the Heffalump and meets up with his own adventure – one involving Lumpy, a very curious creature with the head of an elephant and the rear end of a rabbit. Following a trail of cookie crumbs and apple cores, the two soon find themselves bouncing around in the mysterious woods, becoming fast friends; that is until they unable to find Lumpy’s mother which spurs an invite home by Roo. Things take quite a turn when the two return to Roo’s house where they are met by Rabbit, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, all of whom are intent on capturing a Heffalump.
A touching and enchanting tale of friendship, children and adults alike, along with the gang from 100 Acre Wood, can learn many valuable lessons about friendship, tolerance, feelings and fears from the articulately entertaining script by Disney scribes Brian Hohlfeld and Evan Spiliotopoulos. With great attention to detail, the two have created yet another classic that is further enlivened by the colorfully exacting work of storyboard artist Henry Tucker and the Disney animation team headed by Scott Peterson, which is particularly exceptional during fantasy sequences set to the “The Horribly Hazardous Heffalumps!” song. Kaleidoscopically neon and cheerful, I can’t think of a child or adult that won’t be drawn into the magic of the story thanks to the some of the more vivid animation. A big plus is their regard for the classic Pooh background animation as opposed to computer generated imagery. Directed by long time animator Frank Nissen, this is his second turn at the helm of a film and I hope it won’t be his last. Bringing the film in at a tight 68 minutes, there is chance of boredom or lack of attention thanks to and energetic, yet even story pacing.
Smart not to stray from a successful and well known formula, voices are again provided by Jim Cummings as both Pooh and Tigger, Ken Sansom as the irascible Rabbit, Peter Cullen as the loveably forlorn Eeyore, John Fiedler as Piglet, Nikita Hopkins as Roo and Kath Soucie as Kanga. Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn joins the cast providing voicing for the Heffalumps while newcomer Kyle Stanger is a delight as Lumpy. David Ogden Stiers brings the whole package together with his eloquent narration.
Known for sing-along-friendly soundtracks, Disney is true to its name with some rather catchy tunes, thanks in large part to Carly Simon, who has proven to be an integral part of the Pooh franchise in this, her third outing.
For little kids, big kids and the little kid in all of us, there is still nothing as comforting or endearing as Pooh and his friends and the magic of the 100 acre woods. Still a hands down winner after all these years.
Pooh/Tigger: Jim Cummings Rabbit: Ken Sansom Piglet: John Fiedler Eeyore: Peter Cullen Heffalumps: Brenda Blethyn
Directed by Frank Nissen. Written by Brian Hohlfeld and Evan Spiliotopoulos. A Buena Vista release. Rated G. (68 min)
