Bastard1
Since: Nov, 2010
04/13/2016 00:00:00
Wouldn\'t an IGN style rating be more like \"8/10 too much poignancy\"?
Good review. Ain\'t seen it myself but suffice to say this ain\'t the only kind of reaction like this I\'ve seen out there. Someday soon, or something.
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IGN style rating: 10/10
First off, you can't mention this movie without mentioning its' tone. Man, this is a really dark, emotional movie. There's a lot of nightmare fuel, tearjerking scenes, and maturity in the script that really develops the characters and studies them as much.
The movie deals with Piglet's fear, Tigger and Rabbit's egos, and Pooh's relationship with Christopher - and their dependence on him. The film deconstructs the characters' vices we've known since the beginning - their resolution really does bring great payoff to the characters. This movie could easily serve as the true finale of Pooh; the characters overcome their vices, learn they can overcome things without depending on Christopher, and that Pooh will always be with him. The last scene with the other characters is them waving goodbye to the camera - like they're waving goodbye to us and thanking us for going on such a big journey with them.
As a kid this movie scared me. It handles the Skullasaurus well in that it's never seen, only heard in the distance. And even better with the Skullasaurus? It's not real! It turns out it was fake. It fits with the themes I mentioned earlier. The Skullasaurus isn't the villain; the real struggle is the characters' flaws!
Then we come to the tearjerkers. Christopher's childhood ends. Like I've said this feels like a finale to Pooh. This is what the last chapter of the original book was about - Christopher being forced to grow up, and the cast having to live without him. It still makes me sad about growing up. Sooner or later you've gotta grow up and leave behind loved ones you'd see everyday. It's a truly poignant coming of age story, and I'm just talking about the first 5 minutes! The rest of the film sees Pooh and friends w/o Christopher to help them as they realize how damaging their dependence on him is. The most innocent things on the planet realize how helpless they are in the outside world without him.
"Wherever You Are" is the standout; "Forever and Ever" is sad since it's Pooh refusing to accept the future; "Adventure is a Wonderful Thing" is fun & scary; "Everything Is Right" celebrates the end. "If It Says So" drags though. Meanwhile, the score is tender, powerful and emotional, especially the dramatic swell in the final scene. The color palette is dull, though. I'm used to a more vibrant color palette. It fits a solemn and dark story, but it's noticeable.
This is a big movie. It deals with concepts integral to the franchise and gives closure to it. The credits song sounds more like it belongs to a live action drama's credits, not a Pooh film. But then again, this isn't just a Pooh film, nor a children's film. It's a dark, emotional and deep character study and also is a solemn film about change. This is what a movie should be.
IGN style rating: 10/10: Dark, solemn, genuinely emotional and a fantastic story about its characters' lives changing forever, Pooh's Grand Adventure is a terrific film for all ages.