As a fan of Winnie the Pooh, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' was always one of my favourite shows as a child. Not all childhood favourites have held up, but 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the strongest examples of those that have.
While the original three 60s-70s short films ('Honey Tree', 'Blustery Day' and 'Tigger Too') and the 1977 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' are just a little better, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the Winnie the Pooh franchise's high points. 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is, as said a few times already, a rare example of a show with not a bad episode for the whole four seasons it ran, and has something for kids and adults alike. "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone" is just so much fun with one of the show's funniest exchanges, while "Up Up and Awry" is a strong example of how to do whimsical well, echoing fond memories slightly of 'Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree'.
The animation in both episodes is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth. The only noticeable glitch, if being nit-picky and only incredibly observant people will notice, in the two episodes is in "Up Up and Awry", with Eeyore's tail end suddenly being grey instead of black. In addition to that, the music is playfully jaunty and beautifully orchestrated, enhancing sadder moments with poignant and particularly lush and emotional scoring, whimsical parts with an energy but also pathos and the more playful moments with a jaunty touch. The theme tune is very rousing and one of the catchiest theme songs of any animated show of the late 80s.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence, shining in both episodes. Standouts are "My, what a very lovely day! Not a cloud in the sky! Just a- Pooh Bear!?" from "Up Up Awry" and this gem of an exchange from "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone"- "Say what's that?/Sounds like a heffalump with a bad head-cold!/ Nah! It's the maiden call of the yellow belled double parp sep sucker!/ What if whatever it is has Piglet? Oh it's all my fault for losing him!".
Both stories are beautifully told with effortless charm and fun. Love all the characters, especially Tigger as well as their friendship, family-like bond and loyalty regardless of arguments and character flaws. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, with as ever Paul Winchell beyond praise as Tigger, likewise with Jim Cummings as Pooh and John Fiedler as Piglet.
All in all, both "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone" and "Up Up and Awry" are pure charm, fun and whimsy. 10/10 Bethany Cox
While the original three 60s-70s short films ('Honey Tree', 'Blustery Day' and 'Tigger Too') and the 1977 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' are just a little better, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the Winnie the Pooh franchise's high points. 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is, as said a few times already, a rare example of a show with not a bad episode for the whole four seasons it ran, and has something for kids and adults alike. "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone" is just so much fun with one of the show's funniest exchanges, while "Up Up and Awry" is a strong example of how to do whimsical well, echoing fond memories slightly of 'Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree'.
The animation in both episodes is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth. The only noticeable glitch, if being nit-picky and only incredibly observant people will notice, in the two episodes is in "Up Up and Awry", with Eeyore's tail end suddenly being grey instead of black. In addition to that, the music is playfully jaunty and beautifully orchestrated, enhancing sadder moments with poignant and particularly lush and emotional scoring, whimsical parts with an energy but also pathos and the more playful moments with a jaunty touch. The theme tune is very rousing and one of the catchiest theme songs of any animated show of the late 80s.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence, shining in both episodes. Standouts are "My, what a very lovely day! Not a cloud in the sky! Just a- Pooh Bear!?" from "Up Up Awry" and this gem of an exchange from "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone"- "Say what's that?/Sounds like a heffalump with a bad head-cold!/ Nah! It's the maiden call of the yellow belled double parp sep sucker!/ What if whatever it is has Piglet? Oh it's all my fault for losing him!".
Both stories are beautifully told with effortless charm and fun. Love all the characters, especially Tigger as well as their friendship, family-like bond and loyalty regardless of arguments and character flaws. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, with as ever Paul Winchell beyond praise as Tigger, likewise with Jim Cummings as Pooh and John Fiedler as Piglet.
All in all, both "Where Oh Where Has My Piglet Gone" and "Up Up and Awry" are pure charm, fun and whimsy. 10/10 Bethany Cox
