Pooh's Grand Adventure, while inferior to the previous installment, is still perfectly acceptable in its own right. This is the saddest Winnie the Pooh film in my memory, but is yet the most delightful because of its message and the way it shows it. The moral is even if you're not accompanied by that special someone, you have them in your heart at all times. What animated film dares tell you something as strong as Winnie the Pooh? My favorite thing that I've admired about the Pooh cartoons is the fact that they are an act of innocence and are as gentle as a feather. There is never any mention of "death" in the show, or even the slightest hint. Even if someone falls from an very high ledge or tree, they brush themselves off, and move on to the next activity.
The plot is reminiscent of the latest movie installment. Christopher Robin is going back to school, but because of Pooh's desire not to hear the news he has, he doesn't tell him. Pooh wakes up to an unaccompanied tree, and no Christopher Robin in sight. Only a note and a jar of honey on Pooh's doorstep. He rounds up the gang, with the exception of Kanga and Roo, and head over to Owl's with the note and jar of honey. Owl says the note says something about Christopher Robin needs help over at School, which he mistakes for "skull." They all become braver than a bee, and stronger than they seem and go on a hunt for their friend.
The sadness and tear-jerking moments flood this short but sweet special. But they aren't like a crying fit more than like a beautiful sadness. Even though things look down, the gang is optimistic about Christopher Robin's return and they keep smiling all the way through the trip.
Like many Pooh specials, there isn't much to say either than they are wonderfully animated, wonderfully told, and just an all out pleasure on screen. Each character all targets a specific feeling or emotion in one's character, and together, it's like they fill everyone's set of emotions. It's beautiful beyond the simplicity and happiness it brings to children.
Voiced by: Jim Cummings, Ken Sansom, John Fiedler, Paul Winchell, Peter Cullen, and Brady Bluhm. Directed by: Karl Geurs.
