Shoulder to Shoulder

Pooh’s Heffalump Movie is the third and final direct-to-video Winnie the Pooh movie released in theaters. At this point I think I outgrew the franchise and had no desire to see it. Unlike The Tigger Movie or Piglet’s Big Movie, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie focuses on an entirely new character. Heffalumps and Woozles can be traced back to the books. They’re meant to be scary creatures that exist only in a character’s imagination. Their most prominent appearance is during the musical sequence in Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Though they made multiple appearances in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Heffalumps tend to get most of the attention. Pooh’s Heffalump Movie is also the final theatrical Disneytoon Studios movie with traditional animation. The animation is still top-notch and the stakes are high enough, but I’m not sure it needed the big screen treatment.

A book is replaced by Pooh narrating the story himself. Though his name isn’t in the title, Roo is once again the main character. Disney really liked making him the center of the Pooh franchise for a while. The Hundred Acre Wood is frightened by a sudden noise and giant footprints left by a Heffalump. Rabbit, Tigger, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore decide to capture one in the mysterious Heffalump Hallow. It’s mostly Rabbit and Tigger who are paranoid. Pooh and Piglet mostly stumble around. Eeyore spends most of the movie trying to catch up. Of course Owl is absent as usual. Roo is left out for being too young, but he’s the one who captures a Heffalump. British newcomer Kyle Stanger voices the innocent Heffridge Trumpler Brompet Heffalump IV, affectionately known as Lumpy. Carly Simon came up with his absurdly long name. I know he’s a child, but Lumpy’s constant laughter is a little on the annoying side.

I’m also not crazy about original characters in Winnie the Pooh. Although it is nice that Roo has someone to play with. They become fast friends and Roo realizes Lumpy is just as afraid as they were. Kanga believes Roo right away, but Rabbit, Tigger, Pooh, and Piglet need more convincing. Lumpy’s mother finds him when he discovers his call. Oscar nominated actress Brenda Blethyn voices Mama Heffalump in another dangerous climax where Roo is trapped under several logs. The credits show Lumpy playing with everyone and even meeting Christopher Robin. Carly Simon still sings most songs like part of the theme song, “Little Mr. Roo,” and “Shoulder to Shoulder.” “The Name Game” is a childish song sung by Lumpy. “The Horribly Hazardous Heffalumps!” is of course sung by the cast before they learn their lesson. Pooh’s Heffalump Movie has a good message deep down.

Roo and Lumpy