Christopher Robin Movie Review: Sweet but uninspiring

This latest attempt by Disney has lush production values and technical specs that are appreciable but the sugary tone, the near-comatose narration and the pronounced sweep of performances make it a rather aggravating experience

Film: Christopher Robin
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Mark Gatiss, Jim Cummings, Chris O'Dowd, Nick Mohammed, Brad Garrett, Peter Capaldi, Sophie Okonedo, Toby Jones
Director: Marc Forster
Writer: Alex Perry, Allison Schroeder, Tom Mccarthy
Rating: 

Marc Forster's A.A. Milne-inspired film has childhood best friends Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) reunite as adults- after a rather mundane and protracted attempt to reason why family, play, and friendships must be given more importance than materialistic pursuits of work and regimented study.

This latest attempt by Disney has lush production values and technical specs that are appreciable but the sugary tone, the near-comatose narration and the pronounced sweep of performances make it a rather aggravating experience.

Director Marc Forster might have intended this as a companion piece for his 2004 film 'Finding Neverland,' but this moldy meeting of real life and imagination feels short-shirted rather than complete or deeply involving. Milne's unconnected stories are not given the 'fullness' treatment required for a film of this kind.

The narrative credited to a trio of writers — Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy, and Allison Schroeder — has clarity and seems quite plausible but it's core appears hollowed out and the scheme of play is highly predictable. A large portion of the narrative here concerns itself with Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh – which is rather counterproductive as there is nothing interesting happening and the long-drawn conspired contemplation becomes exasperating instead of meaningful. This mid-life crisis story aimed at kids and designed to shame parents is definitely not an entertaining passage of time for the young or the old.

Watch the trailer:

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