Pooh's Heffalump Movie (G) ★★★½

Finally, a kid's movie that really is for kids. Winnie the Pooh's new adventure is as cute as the title, as the Hundred Acre Wood gang faces their fears, and learns a valuable lesson about accepting others for who they are.

Story

After being awakened by the echoing of scary sounds and discovering big footprints, the gang--including Rabbit, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, and of course, Pooh--decide to find and capture a Heffalump, one of the most feared creatures in the Hundred Acre Wood. Little Roo is the only one not allowed to help in their endeavor because he is too small and too young to partake in such a dangerous expedition. But Roo is determined to convince everyone he is big enough to catch a Heffalump and sets out on his own. Luckily, he is much more successful than the rest, snaring a Heffalump named Lumpy. Roo soon finds out, however, that the scariest creature in the woods is not really scary at all but kind and gentle and just as scared as he or his friends ever were. Lumpy and Roo become fast friends. It is now up to Roo to get his friends and everyone else in the Hundred Acre Wood to throw away their fears and accept the Heffalumps as one of them.

Acting

All the actors portraying the Hundred Acre wood gang do a great job. They include Jim Cummings as friendly Winnie the Pooh and bounce-happy Tigger; Ken Sansom as the know-it-all Rabbit; Kath Soucie as Roo's loving mother Kanga; John Fiedler as little Piglet; Peter Cullen as the endearingly dreary Eeyore; Nikita Hopkins as the effervescent Roo. But it's the voice of Lumpy the Heffalump who steals the show. Eight-year-old Brit Kyle Stanger voices the soft-spoken but happy-go-lucky Lumpy, melting your heart at every turn, while two-time Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn as his Mama Heffalump, adds just the right touch.

Direction

Under the helm of veteran animation director Don MacKinnon and director Frank Nisson, Pooh's Heffalump Movie uses the basic pen and ink animation, but that suits the gang of the Hundred Acre Wood just fine. In classic Disney form, music is also as much a part of the movie as anything else. Award-winning recording artist Carly Simon, who also scored the delightful Piglet's Big Movie, worked closely with DisneyToon Studios music department's Matt Walker and composer Joel McNeely to introduce several new songs that give the movie added spirit and bounce, bringing the old and new characters together harmoniously.

Bottom Line

Whether you have a child or are a child-like fan of Winnie the Pooh, you will also enjoy the sweet Pooh's Heffalump Movie, with its message of courage, friendship and acceptance.