Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo

Well, I'm not sure if the other person that commented on this movie watched the same one as myself. Granted, this film is geared toward children, however, it's message seems a bit off target, considering the subject matter.

To say this movie was something the entire family can enjoy together is to assume the parents have an IQ not much higher than that of their child.

But before I say anything, I'm not some religious nut.

The movie is loosely adapted from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Had the central holiday in question in this movie been Christmas, it's message would have made more sense. However, it was Easter, and, according to the characters, Easter is the time of year when "we show our buddies that we care." Easter is about caring and sharing, not a religious holiday celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus. In effect, the movie makes it explicitly clear that Easter isn't a religious holiday at all, but a time to celebrate the coming of Spring.

It seems to have been made in typical Disney fashion; sanitized and devoid of the true meaning behind the holiday, such as Christmas, which, as has been transformed over the years to be a celebration of Winter and, yet again, a time when "we show our buddies that we care", as opposed to its original context, that being a religious holiday to celebrate the birth of a particular religious figure.

Had Disney done the same thing to a Muslim, Jewish, or even Hindu holiday, I dare say there'd be quite the backlash and protest. However, it's just a Christian holiday and who cares if a few "believers" are even slightly taken aback by the warped rendition and interpretation Disney gives to their holiest of days.

Thankfully, my daughter is far to young to understand any of this and certainly too young to care. She just likes watching Winnie the Pooh bumble his way through life. However, with older children, I hate to sound conspiratorial, but honest to God, you really have to wonder: are the people who made this film trying to re-educate children? You can write it off as merely a fun movie for tots to sit and gawk at for an hour, but at the same time, you have to admit, children aren't entirely stupid. They understand a lot more than I think we normally give them credit. And I find it difficult to believe that of all the people who helped make this movie, from director to child psychologists, surely at least one of them had to have the same sense of it all as I did.

If I were you, I'd probably just skip this title in favor of getting some of the old Warner Brothers cartoons.

For the first time in too long a time Disney has delivered a true family movie that all can enjoy. The movie brings back a technique formerly used with great success by Disney that brings the characters to life. They actually jump in and out of the book itself and from chapter to chapter. The moral of the story is shared through the eyes of Roo who, for the first time gets to stretch his range of emotions. We see how the tale unfolds through the tender, loving and unspoiled eyes of this "child" and immediately realize our own vulnerabilities with our real life relationships. The directors, writers, and producers really tug at the heart strings with this one. It's a keeper!

Quality of this movie may not be at the same level as the Pooh movies of the sixties and seventies, but it's still worth watching, little children will enjoy it, parents and grand-parents that take an interest in there children will take the time to explain the many lessons that this movie has to offer, including how friendship and love can bring people with different goals together, and yes the story is familiar and yes the true meaning of Easter is ignored, but that can give the parent the opportunity to tell their children, or grand-children the real reason to celebrate the holiday. Bottom line this is just a good funny movie, no nudity, foul language, or anything else that makes for a typical "family" Hollywood movie.

It is definitely not the best of anything to do with the immortal Winnie the Pooh, but it is a sweet and enjoyable movie regardless. The film is perhaps too short, and perhaps too quick in pace, but it is still very enjoyable and charming. The animation isn't too bad, the backgrounds especially are lovely, and the music isn't completely redundant either. It isn't phenomenal, but it is simple and memorable, which is good enough for me. I liked the story, it was a nice moral story with a sweet message, and the script was both touching and funny. The characters are still likable, Roo is very endearing here especially and the voice work is faultless. Overall, nice and charming without being the best movie ever, it is perfectly ideal for kids and if they like it at least Disney are doing something right. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Refusing Roo & his friends to celebrate easter? How Scroogey! Rabbit: Bah humbug!