Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (G, 2006)

Christopher Robin is old enough to start school but he can't bring himself to break the news to his friend, Winnie-the-Pooh. Instead, he leaves a note attached to a jar of honey. Pooh eats the honey (of course) and Owl helps him interpret Christopher Robin's note, incorrectly reading "school" as "skull." Believing their friend is in trouble and possibly held captive by a "skullasaurus," Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Rabbit set off to find him through the "great unknown" parts of the Hundred Acre Woods. So begins POOH'S GRAND ADVENTURE: THE SEARCH FOR CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. The animals are startled by unexpected noises and downright scared by the possibility that "heffalumps" and "woozles" might be lurking around any corner. But as their journey progresses, they find they are each uniquely stronger and braver than they had imagined, and their strengths help them reach their destination: a rock that looks somewhat like a skull.

The songs in this movie are tedious and uninspired, as is much of the dialogue and interaction among the characters. Disney is simply following a formula that's been used for these characters many times. On the positive side, the story is simple and tries to evoke the charm of the original adventures of the animals of the Hundred Acre Woods.

Truth be told, kids, especially preschoolers, will enjoy this movie. And parents will be happy with its good, clean fun and positive messages. A short called "Pooh's Symphony" plays automatically following the end credits, and this in turn is followed by Winnie The Pooh and the Blustery Day, a classic Disney cartoon.

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Director: Karl Geurs
Cast: Jim Cummings, John Fiedler, Ken Sansom
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 70 minutes
Theatrical release: April 11, 2006
DVD release: April 11, 2006
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: General Audiences