Ewan McGregor, as Christopher Robin, shares a scene with Winnie the Pooh in the live-action adventure movie "Christopher Robin." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Laurie Sparham, Disney)

By Catholic News Service

Enchanting fantasy in which, having grown into a harried middle-aged efficiency expert (Ewan McGregor), the formerly free-spirited title character prioritizes work over family life, provoking a crisis in his relationship with his devoted wife (Hayley Atwell) and loving daughter (Bronte Carmichael). To his rescue comes his iconic childhood teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings).

A return to Winnie’s realm, the Hundred Acre Wood, ensues, as does a reunion with its other immortal inhabitants, most prominently Tigger (also voiced by Cummings), Eeyore (voice of Brad Garrett) and Piglet (voice of Nick Mohammed) all of whom, like Winnie himself, gently help the businessman to see the error of his materialist ways.

Director Marc Forster and screenwriters Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy and Allison Schroeder make deft use of the figures created by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard in the 1920s, marshaling droll humor to convey the message that there are better goals to be pursued than merely getting ahead. Though problematic elements are entirely absent, the film is too sophisticated for tots, who might also be disturbed by its scenes of mild peril.

A mature story line, nonviolent action. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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