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Secretly, you knew it all along. Even very small animals can make a large imprint.
That’s the sweet and simple message of this latest Pooh feature, Piglet’s Big Movie. One nice thing about having children is that you can rent a video such as this, happy in the knowledge that you’ll be watching it right there with them.
I was about ten when I discovered Winnie the Pooh and friends, and my daughter’s that age now. Better not try telling her that she’s too old for Pooh Corner or the Hundred Acre Wood. Ditto my eight-year-old son.
Piglet can see his friends are up to something, and the sight of Eeyore walking past his window in a bee costume drives him out to see what. He finds the donkey, along with Tigger, Rabbit, and Pooh, executing a “big plan” — one that Piglet is deemed too small to participate in. The plan unfolds to near disaster, but the little pig’s quick thinking saves the day.
But does he get any credit for it?
Not likely.
Piglet gets separated from the group, and Pooh and friends begin a search. At Piglet’s house, Pooh finds Piglet’s scrapbook of memories and theorizes that the book might remember where Piglet is. Rabbit scoffs at this Pooh logic, but the consensus is to at least give it a try. “Start at page one,” intones Eeyore with just the right blend of optimism and gloom.
As the eclectic band searches the Wood, they recall several past adventures where Piglet’s innate horse sense and brave actions made all the difference.
The fun of the movie for me was to revisit my old friends and their varied personalities: clueless yet big-hearted Pooh, fussbudgety Rabbit, exuberant Tigger, and my favorite, Eeyore. Kanga and Roo, too. Owl plays a small role, and he’s the same insufferable windbag as always. Thank goodness.
The songs are by Carly Simon, and each one hits the honey jar. Look for Carly singing one of them at the closing credits — and I dare you to get that song out of your head.
I’d highly recommend this movie for little tykes, baby boomers, and grandparents of all ages.
