Winnie the Pooh (2011)

[pap64]

I love Craig's talk show, but his voice doesn't seem right coming out of this character to me. Its kind of a disconnect for me actually since I hear his voice every weeknight being himself. I had a similar issue with how to train your dragon, but to a lesser extent.

I should say Ive never been a pooh fan, Ive ways seen it as a childish franchise, despite being told it was dumbed down, that I had the wrong perception about it. but I still can't shake that. I'm waiting to see if they can change my mind though. the trailer was nice, but nothing really appeals to me so far.

Regarding Craig Ferguson, I love the guy, but I can see why his inclusion would be jarring. I mean, the movie has the current Pooh cast intact, and the series has never been big on celebrity voice acting. So having a change in the cast to include a big name is indeed weird for this series. But, Craig is a very talented guy. He was great as Gobber in "How To Train Your Dragon", easily my favorite character and the most quotable. So I am optimistic that he will be great in the end. We'll see.

About the Pooh franchise being childish, yeah I agree... but that's because Winnie the Pooh was achildren's book.

But seriously now, the reason so many people say that the Pooh franchise has been dumbed down is because the original shorts and even to an extend the television show had a charm, an innocence and even wit that was rarely seen in other children's shows. Afterwards, Disney kept marketing Pooh towards just toddlers, putting the shows on their pre-school block.

Basically, there wasn't a balance. It's like the same issue with Mickey and friends. Right now even though Mickey is an international icon they keep selling him as a pre-school character, and the shorts they show are heavily altered to fit the demographic.

A lot of people, especially adults, love Winnie the Pooh, and they want to see the franchise being marketed at everyone, and this new movie looks to be it. Sure, people will still say its childish but people will enjoy it either way.

As a bonus, here is a clip of Darlene being a total Pooh fangirl:
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[DisneyJedi]

It bugs me that they've changed Christopher Robin's character design. He actually looks younger from his original incarnation although it should have been the opposite supposedly. I didn't mind the clothes changing because it made sense since it's his school uniform but a whole new (and to me worse) character design? Major let down.

Really? Aside from the new wardrobe and the new eyes, I don't see much else different.

[Tangled]

Looks adorable. Glad Disney is using a casual, simple marketing aproach. Finally, Disney triumphs over Pixar! (Cars 2???)

[Wonderlicious]

Somehow I forgot to mention about the eyes. I didn't notice them first time round, and I'm not particularly bothered about them being filled in. Sure, Christopher Robin now looks a bit more like Peter Pan, but he arguably looks more human than the button-eyed being that inhabited the original stuff. Plus, it's not as though they've never given full eyes to dotty eyed characters before; Bernard and Bianca have better defined eyes in The Rescuers Down Under, and of course, Mickey and several others were redesigned several times over. If anything, it's his new costume that came across to me as the biggest change, along with the slightly darker (in terms of light, not tone) and more autumnal flavour that appears in the artwork.

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Here's the French trailer, which reveals something quite shocking regarding the film's release; it's coming out in France three months before the US on April 13th, basically in the spot where it was originally to be released stateside! I did a bit of a search, and found some more evidence that basically states that other countries are also getting it before the US. The UK is also supposed to be getting this on April 15th, according to Launching Films. I also had a peek at IMDb and as a rough guideline, and it appears that other European countries, as well as Argentina, will be getting it for Easter/April as well. This doesn't completely surprise me, as it's said that the film was breezing through production, and that the animation had already been completed a few weeks ago. I'm guessing that they're doing this as they're hoping that word-of-mouth will help propel what is arguably a somewhat low-profile film. Needless to say, it'll be one of the first Disney features to get released internationally before a US debut.

[Semaj]

The film was pushed back from its original Spring 2011 release date. Maybe because Disney believes this really has a shot at competing with Harry Potter.

[estefan]

Needless to say, it'll be one of the first Disney features to get released internationally before a US debut.

It should be noted that Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros were both released in Latin America a good number of months before getting their American release, so it's actually not the first time they've done this.

But, Winnie the Pooh would have have a better chance of succeeding in April than against the last Harry Potter. Come on, Disney!

[Kyle]

Looks adorable. Glad Disney is using a casual, simple marketing aproach. Finally, Disney triumphs over Pixar! (Cars 2???)

Edit: sorry, I tried to post something from my iphone earlier, and apparently it didn't take. I'll try again. ahem...

Are we talking about box office or just the overall quality? because I don't think it has a chance of doing better than cars at the box office. Cars has appeal across a broader range of ages and gender.

[BK]

Fantastic trailer. This is how it should be done, not Cars 2, not Tangled, not Princess and the Frog. I'm amazed they finally got something right.

Voice-wise, everyone except Owl sounds alright.

[Coolmanio]

This trailer was excellent, and it really got me pumped for the release. I really hope this movie is a success.

[Disneykid]

In regards to the US getting it so late, I think it's because Disney's hoping to attract audiences who aren't interested in Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is going to be super dark and intense, enough to really push the inevitable PG-13 rating. It's not going to be a kid's film in the slightest. The Devil Wears Prada and Mamma Mia! both did well in theaters despite opening alongside Superman Returns and The Dark Knight, respectively, and it's because they were targeted at different demographics. So in the case of Potter and Pooh, Disney's hoping to attract families whereas Potter's going for the teen and adult crowd.

Of course, that's not to say both films can't share overlapping fans. I'm a 24 year old male who plans on seeing both films opening weekend. But in terms of broadness, that seems to be what Disney's aiming for. It's a risky move, but because the film had such a low budget to begin with, Disney's not afraid to make the gamble. Whatever they don't make through theatrical earnings will no doubt be made up for tenfold when Pooh arrives on DVD and BD.

[Flanger-Hanger]

The trailer looks very cute and appears to be much better film than other recent Pooh theatrical outings. Lets hope this film doesn't suffer at the BO and deserves some kind of critical success.

[Prince Edward]

Ok, that was a great trailer! Classic Disney, it really brought back memories. Simple, pure and charming, Disney at it's best:)

I like Christopher Robin's new design and I like the new voices as well. Rabbit should have had a bigger role though, but that's just my opinion;)

[kenai3000]

Craig Ferguson's Owl sounded fine to me. I am so seeing this opening weekend. The trailer was super cute, and has me pumped up for it.

[RIPJoeRanft]

Best trailer Disney Animation has released in eons.

[skyler888]

does anyone else think they are trying to hone the same sort of feelings people had for "Toy Story 3" by catering to people's nostolgia and childhood with the song choice and vibe of the trailer?

[RIPJoeRanft]

does anyone else think they are trying to hone the same sort of feelings people had for "Toy Story 3" by catering to people's nostolgia and childhood with the song choice and vibe of the trailer?

Yes. Although Toy Story 3's nostalgia didn't hit me in the trailers like this. I think viewers felt it most at the end of the film, when "my" generation passed on the torch of youth, of creativity, of imagination, as college-bound Andy passed on his beloved Woody and the rest of the toys onto Bonnie.

The lyrics and vocals to that song in the trailer could not be more wistful or melancholy. It was really beautifully done, and they are clearly hoping people who grew up with these familiar, timeless characters will want to revisit the Hundred Acre Woods (perhaps with their kids or other young children). Good marketing strategy. Nostalgia sells, especially well-done nostalgia. These characters are refreshingly simple, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

I really like how they had the red balloon floating by its lonesome to the lyric "I walked across an empty land". It then hits the bell, it rings, and we see our buddies marching, flying, bouncing, hopping, etc. across the bridge with Christopher Robin clutching the balloon to the lyric "I knew the pathway like the back of my hand." Very symbolic and cool.

Boy, are those watercolor backgrounds gorgeous or what? And they have quite the team of animators assembled on this project. One thing I was a little letdown on is the lack of Gopher, who was always one of my favorite characters in the series.

[Barbossa]

Had it been my way, the plot would've been like this...

Christopher Robin is now a senior and the CEO of a toy making corporation. Somehow he gets trapped in the imaginary toy animal world and his son goes in to rescue him by playing games against the toys and...

...all accompanied by a Daft Punk soundtrack of course.

[Neal]

Barbossa - wish we could 'like' comments on here - I would!

skyler888 - The vibe to me is more like "Where the Wild Things Are" - gorgeous ambient song to tug at our heartstrings and remind us why we loved the book this movie was based on.

RIPJoeRanft - They REALLY are going pure-original Milne. I mean, knocking out characters like Lumpy make sense - but Gopher - wow! They truly want to go pure-original.

I have now viewed the trailer 7 times in less than 24 hours. I am still unsure about filling out Christopher's eyes having been 'whited out' - it just keeps striking me as odd - it appeals more to this CGI era of children, but, ... I will need to learn to cope with the change!

[Mason_Ireton]

I'm highly impressed with the trailer, the song was approiate right from the start, it felt nostalgistc when I was being "introduced" to the characters.... Seems like it'll hold up pretty well for the audience, defintly agree with DisneyKid or Escapay, whoever said that this film could be deemed as a Link for Many Adventures/Pooh's Grand Adventure.

Course like some Pooh fans, I was put off by Craig's voice comin out of Owl as I'm used to the 80s/90s Owl voice that I can't imagine anybody else portrayin the character. And I'm not sure, but did Eeyore get a new voice too? it sounds like a cross of Ralph Wright (Eeyore's orignal voice) and Peter Cullins (who should've voiced Eeyore).


I agree with possibly every Pooh fan, Disney is STUPID to place a lil bear against a highly profitable Wizard, my guess is Pooh's serving as a backup plan for children who aren't interested in Potter.

[SillySymphony]

And I'm not sure, but did Eeyore get a new voice too? it sounds like a cross of Ralph Wright (Eeyore's orignal voice) and Peter Cullins (who should've voiced Eeyore).

It's Bud Luckey. ♥

I recognized him instantly. Half from his portrayal as Chuckles in Toy Story 3 and half because Boundin' is my favorite Pixar short.