New On Video: 'Piglet's Big Movie'
POSTED: 1:20 p.m. EDT August 1, 2003
'Piglet's Big Movie' (G): While there's nothing strikingly original about "Piglet's Big Movie," the latest "Winnie the Pooh" adventure to become a feature film is charming and effective, nonetheless.
In this new adventure, our familiar cast of characters -- Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger and Roo -- embarks on a search mission for their friend Piglet, who goes missing in the Hundred Acre Wood. Using Piglet's memory book as guide to finding him, the friends realize just how big of an impact the little Piglet has had on all of their lives.
"Piglet's Big Movie" plays no different than an episode of "Winnie the Pooh" on television, with the exception that Pooh's choral narrator, singer Carly Simon, drops in songs throughout the film to amplify the narrative.
Although the animation is basic compared to other Disney features, it would seem odd to upgrade "Pooh" to today's animation standards. Keeping it simple maintains the classic atmosphere of the show.
Which brings us to the main point: there's really no reason for dramatic change with the Pooh series, as the lesson of the movie -- this time about friendship and loyalty -- has just as much heart as its television and film predecessors.
In fact, "Piglet's Big Movie" is a great representation of why the characters have endured for so many years. Jim Cummings' magical vocalizations of Pooh and Tigger are as engaging as ever, as are the voice roles of Piglet (John Fiedler), Rabbit (Ken Samson) and the lovably lackadaisical Eeyore (Peter Cullen).
Obviously, "Piglet's Big Movie" is aimed at the toddler and kindergarten set, but anybody who has grown up with Pooh will find the film entertaining and enlightening. It's a solid family movie.
DVD Features: Piglet's Big Book of Memories game; "The World According to Piglet" featurettes; a sing along section and DVD-ROM activities. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
In this new adventure, our familiar cast of characters -- Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger and Roo -- embarks on a search mission for their friend Piglet, who goes missing in the Hundred Acre Wood. Using Piglet's memory book as guide to finding him, the friends realize just how big of an impact the little Piglet has had on all of their lives.
"Piglet's Big Movie" plays no different than an episode of "Winnie the Pooh" on television, with the exception that Pooh's choral narrator, singer Carly Simon, drops in songs throughout the film to amplify the narrative.
Although the animation is basic compared to other Disney features, it would seem odd to upgrade "Pooh" to today's animation standards. Keeping it simple maintains the classic atmosphere of the show.
Which brings us to the main point: there's really no reason for dramatic change with the Pooh series, as the lesson of the movie -- this time about friendship and loyalty -- has just as much heart as its television and film predecessors.
In fact, "Piglet's Big Movie" is a great representation of why the characters have endured for so many years. Jim Cummings' magical vocalizations of Pooh and Tigger are as engaging as ever, as are the voice roles of Piglet (John Fiedler), Rabbit (Ken Samson) and the lovably lackadaisical Eeyore (Peter Cullen).
Obviously, "Piglet's Big Movie" is aimed at the toddler and kindergarten set, but anybody who has grown up with Pooh will find the film entertaining and enlightening. It's a solid family movie.
DVD Features: Piglet's Big Book of Memories game; "The World According to Piglet" featurettes; a sing along section and DVD-ROM activities. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
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