Christopher Robin Movie Review: Is it Family Friendly?

In Christopher Robin, we meet a different version of the title character than most of us are familiar with. We meet adult Christopher Robin. He’s left the Hundred Acre Wood behind and taken on all of the responsibilities that seem to come with being an adult. So, the important question is — is this new Christopher Robin movie really family friendly? Can you take the kids? Check out my Christopher Robin movie review and see what I think!

Thank you to Disney for inviting me to experience Christopher Robin in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN MOVIE REVIEW

He’s gone to war and returned to begin working on a career that will let him create a wonderful life for his family. He’s not unlike many of us who grew up reading the tales of his adventures with Winnie the Pooh and now find ourselves sharing the stories with our own kids.

That’s where we meet Christopher Robin in this reimagined world of Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood.

So, a lot of people have been asking me if the movie is kid-friendly and if it’s really okay to take our families to all see together.

The short answer is yes. There are four main reasons that I think work to make Christopher Robin a very family friendly movie.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

1. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN MOVIE RUNNING TIME

If your kids are anything like mine, then time is of the essence. My kids love movies and love going to the movie theater. It’s one of our favorite things to do as a family. It’s one of the things that Justin and Carrigan do together when they go on their daddy/daughter dates.

But there is one very important thing I’ve learned to pay attention to now that I’m a parent.

Running time.

If a movie is too long, there’s the potential for my kids to lose interest. This is especially true for Weston. He likes movies that flow well and wrap themselves up in 90 – 105 minutes or so. If we start creeping close to two hours then he’s going to get antsy. Then he wants to just dance around the movie theater.

Any film over two hours long isn’t one I’d take my kids to see until they’re older.

The great thing about Christopher Robin is that it’s 104 minutes long. It’s a great length for a family film.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

2. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN MOVIE STORY

While running time is a huge factor when it comes to a movie being kid-friendly, there is also a lot to be said about the story. A movie can be on the shorter side but if the story doesn’t flow along, my kids will still lose interest.

I had the chance to screen Christopher Robin twice and one thing that really stuck out was how well the story flowed. There are some slow build moments early in the movie that kids will need to make it through. But even in the quiet moments, the story still moved along at a pace that I think my kids will enjoy and be able to handle well.

There is very little violence in the movie unless you count a few car accidents and people falling down as violence. Early in the film there’s some footage of Christopher Robin fighting in the war. It’s not gruesome or anything but there are explosions and guns. The scenes are artfully edited into a montage with scenes from home with Christopher Robin’s wife, Evelyn, and daughter, Madeline.

There is also a brief scene regarding the death of Christopher Robin’s father when he is still a child. These are just scenes that could be sensitive for younger viewers.

Oh and there is no language to worry about at all! I love that there is a live action film I can take the kids to and feel good about. They can be hard to come by!

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

3. THE CHARACTER FACTOR

I know the main reason people want to know if Christopher Robin is family friendly is that it’s a reimagining of a world so many of us are familiar with. We grew up with Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, and all of our friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.

I believe the characters are the main reason that the film is great for families to see together. We can reconnect to our childhood through our favorite characters while also having the opportunity to see them through new eyes – the eyes of a parent.

Our kids have the opportunity to discover the magic of the world of Winnie the Pooh. Even if you’ve read them the stories or they’ve seen other animated films, Christopher Robin brings the characters to life in a whole new way for both young and old.

The characters of adult Christopher Robin, Evelyn Robin (his wife), and Madeline Robin (his daughter) are also wonderful. It’s nice to see a family on screen who have a few issues they need to work out, but who aren’t giving up on each other.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

4. IMPORTANT THEMES & MESSAGES

Christopher Robin is a film that has some very important messages. I don’t think you can experience Winnie the Pooh without taking home some new wisdom or at least a new awareness of some sort.

In our interview with Ewan McGregor, he mentioned themes like being connected to the people we love, being present with them, and just being there. Those are some of the main messages that parents will take home from the movie.

But there are also so many moments packed full of Pooh zen that will have us all thinking.

And sometimes the very best somethings come from doing nothing.

I think this is what we can take away as parents. Even in the middle of our busy lives and all of our responsibilities, the most important things often happen when there is nothing planned at all.

While younger kids may not quite grasp that idea completely, I know they’ll enjoy the friendships and love between the characters. There is just a feeling of belonging you get when you step into the world of the Hundred Acre Wood, no matter how young or old you are!

Because of these main factors, I feel confident in saying that Christopher Robin is a movie that the entire family can enjoy together! We often go see animated films together so I’m looking forward to this change of pace!

If you’re loving Christopher Robin, you might like to see what the red carpet premiere party was like and check out some of my favorite Winnie the Pooh quotes too!

Christopher Robin is now open in theaters everywhere so be sure to check it out with your family!

You can connect with Christopher Robin online too!

• https://www.facebook.com/DisneyChristopherRobin/
• https://twitter.com/disneystudios (#ChristopherRobin)
• https://www.instagram.com/disneystudios/
• https://movies.disney.com/christopher-robin