“Descendants” arch-nemeses Mal and Uma will face-off in an epic underwater showdown when “Under the Sea: A Descendants Story” premieres FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (7:50-8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT), on Disney Channel. Dove Cameron and China Anne McClain reprise their roles as fan-favorite characters Mal and Uma, respectively, in this live-action short-form special filled with dazzling visual effects and high-energy music and dance. Immediately following the Disney Channel premiere, “Under the Sea: A Descendants Story” will be available on the DisneyNOW app (www.DisneyNOW.com) and Disney Channel VOD.
In the story, Mal emerges from the shadows of a mystical forest onto a dark coastline where she crosses paths with Dizzy, played by Anna Cathcart. “Descendants 2” stars Thomas Doherty and Dylan Playfair will appear in their roles of Harry and Gil, respectively, as part of Uma’s wicked pirate gang.
“Descendants” has impressive franchise extensions that have engaged kids worldwide. “Descendants” and “Descendants 2” music videos have garnered over two billion global views, and both movie soundtracks are certified gold and hit #1 on iTunes and Billboard charts. In the U.S., “Descendants” and “Descendants 2” costumes were the top-selling Halloween costumes at Disney Stores and Party City. More than three million “Descendants” and “Descendants 2” dolls and over five million “Descendants”-related books in print, including three popular young adult novels that were featured on the New York Times Best Sellers List, have been sold. “Descendants” and “Descendants 2” were #1 Cable Movies in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Check out this new 60-second sneak peek of “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” which introduces Gal Gadot (“Justice League,” “Wonder Woman”) as the voice of Shank, the tough and talented driver in an intense online racing game called Slaughter Race, plus new footage of the Disney princesses and more.
Ralph and Vanellope encounter Shank when they venture into the internet in search of a replacement part for Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. Shank’s approach to racing—and life in general—opens Vanellope’s eyes to the limitless possibilities of the internet and the excitement of a new world that feels like home to her.
Directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston and featuring the voices of John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
Last summer plans were unveiled for a thrilling Tron coaster-style attraction to be added in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom® Park. Today, we’re sharing a first look at a new Tron-themed billboard at Magic Kingdom Park that’s now visible from Storybook Circus.
The new attraction will occupy an entirely new area next to the land’s Space Mountain, and now, as we prepare to welcome Tron into the park, a few modifications will be made to nearby attractions as construction kicks into gear.
First, the Walt Disney World® Railroad will temporarily take up residence at the Main Street Station starting in December 2018, pausing its grand-circle tours of Magic Kingdom Park. During this time, you will be able to get an up-close look at the railroad and take advantage of one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.
The Tomorrowland Speedway will close for a portion of 2019, as the attraction’s track is adjusted. It will reopen as the same attraction our Guests know and love in the summer of 2019.
Magic Kingdom’s Tron attraction, which is set to debut in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021, is based on TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland (pictured above). This coaster-style attraction allows riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier. TRON Lightcycle Power Run debuted on Shanghai Disneyland’s opening day and quickly became the highest-rated attraction at the park.
We look forward to sharing more updates with you on the thrilling new addition of Tron as work progresses. Stay tuned to Socalthrills for updates!
This fall, you are invited to visit Disneyland® Resort for the return of special seasonal experiences in both parks inspired by the spirit of Día de los Muertos.
At Disney California Adventure® Park, Disney•Pixar’s Academy Award-winning hit film “Coco” is at the heart of Plaza de la Familia, a limited-time festivity at Paradise Gardens. Families visiting Plaza de la Familia can share meaningful memories of loved ones at the interactive Memory Wall, enjoy the iconic Mexican Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) photo location and take part in a new mask-making craft that depicts an alejibre (spirit guide) from the film “Coco.” You will find yourself drawn to the immersive art exhibit The World of “Coco,” the emotional Mariachi music performed on the bandstand and the delicious Mexican food menu at Paradise Gardens Grill.
Several times daily, the uplifting show A Musical Celebration of Coco brings together the Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia and the Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas for a festive show of music and dance that tells the incredible story of young Miguel’s journey as seen in “Coco.” New this year, this charming troupe of singers and authentic Folklórico dancers is joined by Miguel, brought to life in a whimsical, hand-crafted style inspired by traditional Mexican folk art.
Also at Disney California Adventure park, you can visit Cars Land, where an ofrenda (a remembrance altar) pays tribute to Doc Hudson (aka, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet). Look for it at Ramone’s House of Body Art, just down Route 66!
Over at Disneyland Park, Zócalo Park in Frontierland is decked out with an elaborate and colorful display in honor of Día de los Muertos. This immersive setting features beautiful marigolds and papel picado throughout the installation, along with a traditional ofrenda, calaveras (sugar skulls), an iconic figure of La Catrina and delicious food at the nearby Rancho del Zócalo.
These special experiences inspired by Día de los Muertos take place Sept. 7-Nov. 2, 2018 at Disneyland Park.
When you sail on one of the Disney Cruise Line Alaska sailings, not only will you see some of the world’s most beautiful sights, but you also get to experience immersive Disney storytelling onboard. In addition to the Disney Wonder’s signature entertainment — including dinner and a show at Tiana’s Place and Broadway-style musicals like “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” — Alaska sailings feature even more ways to step into the worlds of favorite Disney stories.
Whether you are a Mickey Mouse fan, a Pixar aficionados or prefer to just “Let it Go” with Elsa and friends, there is something special for everyone aboard these one-of-a-kind cruises. Here are just a few favorites …CLICK HERE FOR A FREE VACATION QUOTE!
Disney Pals Embrace the Spirit of The Last Frontier
Only on these itineraries can you find Mickey and friends in their best northern-themed finery. Mickey is decked out in Alaskan fisherman’s gear, Minnie dons a stylish parka, Goofy is geared up to explore a glacier and Donald is dressed to pan for gold… Everyone gets in on the fun!
Favorite Pixar Friends Join the Party
Exclusive to the Disney Wonder, the Pixar Pals Party gives guests the chance to hang out with all of their favorite Pixar characters in one spot! Hosted in the lobby atrium, this musical celebration includes friends from “Up,” “Toy Story” and “Ratatouille.”
A Full Day of “Frozen” Festivities
One day during every Alaska cruise, you are transported to the land of “Frozen” for a day of fun with Anna, Elsa and friends. Highlights include a magical freeze that overtakes the atrium, exciting “Frozen”-themed activities and a dining experience inspired by traditional Nordic fare. The day culminates in a high-energy deck party where our friends from Arendelle take you along for a fun night of singing, dancing and games.
While the current Alaska season is nearly complete, the Disney Wonder will return to America’s Last Frontier next year with a variety of five-, seven- and nine-night itineraries departing from Vancouver, Canada.
Are you ready to take a Magical Disney Cruise Vacation? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE VACATION QUOTE from our Travel Partner Agency, World of Magic Travel.
They’re Here. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort will bring guests “into the light” as part of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights events featuring terrifying new mazes inspired by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures’ (MGM) iconic supernatural horror film, Poltergeist, beginning September 14.
Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, Poltergeist garnered critical and consumer success when it first premiered in 1982. Characterized as one of the scariest films of all time, this groundbreaking movie paved the way for a new era of supernatural ghost stories that will come to life for the first time ever at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. This living representation of the film will take guests into some of its most iconic scenes and encounter memorable characters that spawned their first true nightmares.
The mazes will lure guests to the Freeling family house built atop a cemetery where malicious ghosts threaten the lives within. From the underground graveyard to ghostly apparitions, guests will come face to face with infamous scenes from the film, including the iconic flickering TV screen, menacing Beast from beyond and pool filled with floating corpses. As guests cross into the ‘light,’ they will find themselves surrounded by a surreal landscape of vanishing walls, floating furniture and a creepy clown with a menacing smile. In a rush against time, guests will be forced to make it back to the world of the living or forever be trapped…
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood and Orlando to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season. And, the streets of each coast’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.
Additional details about Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will be revealed soon. All tickets and vacation packages are on sale now. For more information about Halloween Horror Nights at either Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
Gal Gadot (“Justice League,” “Wonder Woman”) has revealed that she is voicing the character Shank, a tough and talented driver in an intense and gritty online racing game called Slaughter Race, in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” which hits theaters this Thanksgiving.
Ralph and Vanellope encounter Shank and her unusual cohorts when they venture to the internet in search of a replacement part for Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. Shank, a tough-as-nails street racer, takes her role and her tricked-out car very seriously and doesn’t like to lose. When Vanellope finds herself in a street race with Shank, her Sugar Rush driving skills are put to the test—and Shank is impressed. “She is the coolest character in this world of Slaughter Race,” said director Rich Moore. “Shank’s lived a lot, she’s seen a lot, yet she’s got nothing but kindness in her heart—that’s the duality of that character.”
Said Gadot, “Shank is amazing at driving cars and has this bad-girl vibe to her. But as the movie goes on you realize how fun, wise and warm she really is on the inside, which is what I like most about her.”
According to director/writer Phil Johnston, Gadot adds extraordinary dimension to the character. “There’s so much texture to her voice and so much living in her voice,” he said. “If Ralph is Vanellope’s big-brother figure, we wanted a big-sister figure. We wanted someone that Vanellope would look up to, and Gal is definitely someone kids—and a lot of adults I know—aspire to emulate. I can’t imagine anyone else embodying that part.”
Shank’s approach to racing—and life in general—opens Vanellope’s eyes to the limitless possibilities of the internet and the excitement of a new world that feels like home to her. Featuring the voices of John C. Reilly as Ralph, and Sarah Silverman as Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
2018 is a big year for Mickey Mouse, who celebrates his 90th anniversary this year, and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is bringing the celebration to the pages of the fall issue of Disney twenty-three. Film historian Leonard Maltin honors Mickey’s enduring optimism and youthful spirit. Celebrities and luminaries including Kurt Russell, Mark Hamill, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken and Hayley Mills recall their fondest Mickey memories. The cover features the latest tribute to Mickey—his new birthday portrait, titled Spreading Magic Around the World, painted by legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Mark Henn—and Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline looks at the long-standing tradition of Mickey portraits over the decades.
Actress and fashion designer Ashley Eckstein pays tribute to Minnie Mouse—who is also celebrating 90 years of stardom—by spotlighting Minnie’s enduring place as a role model and fashion icon. And Disney twenty-three goes behind the scenes on the making of the new Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday, for exclusive interviews with stars Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff.
Plus, D23 is kicking off its annual Fanniversary honoring two beloved films celebrating their 25th anniversary: Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Director Kenny Ortega talks about the making of Hocus Pocus and all of the on-set excitement working with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. This month’s “Character Analysis” examines the frightfully fun denizens of Nightmare, along with a first look at the new Nightmare-themed gingerbread house coming to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlay this year. For more Fanniversary fun, visit D23.com/Fanniversary beginning October 1.
Also included in the fall issue of Disney twenty-three:
Animation historian Fox Carney dives into the vaults of the Animation Research Library to show off stunning paintings and drawings from Mickey’s rich history
From the Desk of: Mickey’s portrait painter Mark Henn
A preview of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
An advance look at the new Disney Channel series Star Wars Resistance
Regular features including D Society and Ask Dave
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-August.
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns for more spook-tacular days than ever this year, enchanting guests of all ages with frightfully fun experiences themed especially for the season, from Sept. 7 through October 31, 2018. Ready to have some fun? Click Request A quote button below for a FREE Vacation Quote from World of Magic Travel. Let us help make your trip a magical experience! (Make sure to select Socalthrills.com in the Referral drop down.)
Eerie encounters and fiendish fun await guests at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park as favorite experiences are transformed into dreadful delights. With seasonal attraction overlays, Halloween-themed décor and food and beverage offerings, plus encounters with dastardly Disney villains, happy haunts will materialize around every corner. New this year is the popular character Vampirina, from the Disney Channel and Disney Junior hit series for kids and families, “Vampirina.” Also known as “Vee,” Vampirina arrives at Disneyland Resort for the first time ever, just in time for the Halloween season. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Vampirina at Disney California Adventure Park starting September 7. She will also make a special appearance during the “Frightfully Fun Parade” at Mickey’s Halloween Party.
The guest-favorite Mickey’s Halloween Party* returns with select nights of after-hours fun. This separate-ticket event features some exclusive entertainment, Disney characters in their Halloween attire, trick or treating at locations throughout Disneyland Park and a chance for the entire family to visit the parks after hours in costumes.
At Disney California Adventure Park
A spell will be cast as guests enter Disney California Adventure park to celebrate the season. Oogie Boogie takes over with his twisted tale of a forever Halloween, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Oogie Boogie’s oversized silhouette will beckon guests through the main entrance of the park, and hover over a swarm of bats that circle around Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge.
Halloween décor extends along Buena Vista Street to Carthay Circle, where guests will encounter a 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman holding his jack-o-lantern head to the sky.
The citizens of Cars Land celebrate Halloween by turning Radiator Springs into Radiator Screams. The entire land is transformed with a special Haul-O-Ween makeover as the townsfolk of Radiator Springs don Halloween costumes and decorate their respective homes for the season.
Guests will encounter Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz, Red and DJ in “car-stume” as they get ready to go “trunk-or-treating.” Popular Cars Land attractions transform as well: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree takes on a spooky tone as Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters gets a seasonal twist to become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! transforms nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, bringing Halloween adventure to this popular attraction. As the sun sets, the attraction’s exterior goes dark and then suddenly powers back up with lighting effects, a signal that something has gone awry. The Guardians have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, but have accidentally left Groot behind. Guests help Rocket distract the creatures that have been released so he can rescue Groot in this exciting seasonal overlay.
Disney Junior Star Vampirina Joins the Halloween Celebration for the First Time Ever at Disney Parks
At Disneyland Park
The Halloween magic continues at Disneyland park, where guests will enjoy beautiful décor on Main Street, U.S.A., including a giant Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern and a Pumpkin Festival.
Two popular attractions transform into their annual Halloween themes, delivering Halloween thrills for guests who dare to take a ride. Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by the Walt Disney Pictures classic “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The seasonal attraction celebrates the collision between Halloween and Christmas as Jack Skellington offers his unique take on the holidays.
Space Mountain in Tomorrowland becomes Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, a reimagining of the popular attraction. Guests on board the speeding Space Mountain vehicles are thrust into a ghostly galaxy where they are surrounded by eerie screams, sound effects and music. Spine-chilling spirits pop out of the darkness, appearing to reach out and menace the space travelers.
Additionally, to commemorate the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead, guests will encounter the colorful Día de los Muertos tribute in Frontierland, an exhibit that features a musical trio of iconic skeleton figurines, brightly colored flowers and other decorative items.
Mickey’s Halloween Party*
Mickey’s Halloween Party is an after-hours, separate-ticket event, where guests may dress in costume and have the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout Disneyland Park for candy and healthy goodies. Mickey’s Halloween Party also includes special entertainment, classic attractions and the added bonus of unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of photos taken during the event**, making it easier than ever to capture memories during the party.
An exclusive treat for guests attending Mickey’s Halloween Party is “Halloween Screams,” a supernatural firework show. The nighttime spectacular is hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies,” Jack Skellington.
Also exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party is the “Frightfully Fun Parade” led by The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (from the Disney animated classic, “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad”). The Horseman rides down Main Street, U.S.A., on his ghostly black steed with a flickering jack-o’-lantern to usher in the parade, which features Vampirina, Jack Skellington and a procession of grim, grinning (and hitchhiking) ghosts from the iconic Haunted Mansion attraction.
Guests attending Mickey’s Halloween Party may also visit Villains Square for a chance to encounter and take photos with Disney villains. Additional Disney characters donned in Halloween attire can also be found throughout the park.
As an added value, guests with a Mickey’s Halloween Party ticket will have the opportunity to “mix in” with regular park guests for three hours prior to the party’s start time. These guests also may visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks with their tickets.
Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets may be purchased online and on mobile devices at Disneyland.com/party as well as at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at 714-781-4400. Some nights may be sold out and guests may check availability at Disneyland.com/party. Online and mobile purchases are not available the day of the event. Parking is not included in the ticket price, and parking fees will apply. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a non-smoking event.
For more information about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, please visit http://www.Disneyland.com/Halloween. Entertainment and attractions are subject to change without notice.
Ticino is where Italian is spoken and pristine valleys, panoramic mountaintops and picturesque lakes abound (photo courtesy of www.myswitzerland.com)
I’ve been to the German and French speaking regions of Switzerland, but I have yet to visit the Southern part of the country, near the Alps and the border of Italy, where Italian is spoken and a Mediterranean climate yields lush gardens, fine wines and a delicious variety of cuisine.
Located on the southern side of the Alps, Ticino is where Switzerland and Italy meet and meld, and the landscape features pristine valleys, panoramic mountaintops, picturesque lakes and colorful people.
As I plan my visit to the Ticino Canton this fall, I would like to look at some of the things to do and see during the season.
With nearly 2,500 miles of footpaths and a variety of excursions, Ticino is known as the greenest corner of Switzerland. With this in mind, I want to do some exploring on foot, and possibly stay in an Alpine hut, overlooking mountains and valleys.
A trek that caught my eye is Lukmanier Pass to Cadlimo Hut. The historic Lukmanier Pass is the perfect starting point for those wanting to explore the heart of the Swiss Alps. One of the most scenic walks makes its way up from the shores of Lake Santa Maria to the Cadlimo hut, situated about 8,400 ft above sea level.
The walk begins across the Termine valley to the Ritom district, where it transitions rapidly up a mountainside. The route then winds its way by the River Rein da Medel, a headwater of the Rhine whose waters travel more than 750 miles until meeting the North Sea.
About halfway along the route the journey comes to Stabbio Nuovo, where walkers might encounter a herdsman with his dogs and herds of yaks. These large yet docile creatures, also known as Tibetan oxen, dot the landscape, giving it an exotic and unusual appearance. During the final stretch of the climb, at more than 7,800 ft above sea level, the landscape becomes rocky and full of sure-footed ibexes.
Another location in Ticino I want to visit is Ascona, Switzerland’s lowest lying town. Located about 640 ft above sea level on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore, Ascona is famous for its mild, Mediterranean climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and colorful fishing village scenes.
The ancient city of Ascona is replete with medieval and Renaissance history, highlighted by narrow alleys leading to piazzas. A landmark in town is the church of San Pietro e Paolo, located in Borgo,Ascona’s old town center. The church is a basilica dating back to the 16th century and features distinctive columns and a high bell tower that can be seen across Ascona. The main Lake Promenade in town is car-free and teaming with charming street cafés.
In fall, Ascona welcomes the annual Chestnut Festival, where visitors can taste over 4,400 pounds of chestnuts roasted on the fire by locals. There will also be various chestnut-based delicacies such as jams, honeys and cakes, and a host of the region’s traditional food and wine products. The festival takes place this October.
And then there is Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino. It is not only Switzerland’s third most important financial centre; it is also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, yet still has lots of small town, old world charm.
Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by mountains. It boasts a car-free historic town centre, stunning, Italianate Lombardy-styled architecture, museums, and lake-front activities. By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art.
The two closest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, offer a memorable panorama of town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery. While in town, I want to take a boat trip to the fishing village of Gandria. Set at the foot of Monte Brè, on the shores of Lake Lugano, Gandria has remained unchanged for about 100 years and features the popular Swiss Customs and Smuggler Museum.
For more information visiting Switzerland and the Ticino region, visit: www.myswitzerland.com or www.ticino.ch. For information on flying to Switzerland, visit: www.swiss.com
“Doing Nothing often leads to the very best Something!”
Disney’s Christopher Robin in the simplest of terms is an instant classic, bringing you right back to the magic that started it all with the original Winnie the Pooh stories by A.A Milne. The film is nothing short of spectacular, jam packed with everything you could want from a Pooh picture while still finding a way to add the necessary mature undertones that bring a new found relevance to today’s fast paced society.
It all boils down to something so simple, yet profound: Do Nothing. To explain, the film’s message is all about taking a step back and finding the joy in even the smallest of moments. Time is precious, and we could all use an escape from the easily laid traps that come with overwhelming responsibility, selfishness, and stressful undertakings. The movie’s tale isn’t preaching at you to shirk away from your obligations, but instead offers a very sobering reminder that we all have limits. Life is meant to be lived with an element of fun and simplicity. Christopher Robin goes back to basics, and in today’s day in age, it’s important that we do the same.
From start to finish, there are so many adorable moments. You can see from the teaser trailers and featured sneak peeks, this is a feel good movie for all ages. There will be plenty of laughs in store, as this is the first time we see the world of the Hundred-Acre Wood jump out into the real world. Yet, don’t be fooled. This film has a heavy weight on its shoulders, as there is a deeper emotional connection that will make you gasp and possibly shed a few tears. Some of the best moments from the picture come from the deep scenes that play out. It hits you like a ton of bricks, because you wouldn’t expect that from a Winnie the Pooh film. It’s fully immersive and inclusive for all involved.
Children will get the same joy and excitement from all the antics and comedy while adults will get their chance to participate in a fully fleshed out narrative. The film matures with the audience, creating a timeless element that transcends into something truly magical. Good story aside, nothing stands out more than the rock steady performances given by all involved with this project. This star studded cast really uses every ounce of talent to bring it all together, lead by the legendary Jim Cummings.
Though Cummings has worked on so many projects for Disney over the years, Pooh has always been a staple. The man and the bear are one. Cummings really brought everything he had into this performance, and it is very safe to say this is one of his absolute best. He pulls on every heartstring, makes you grin until your cheeks hurt, and does it with such grace. It’s such a beautiful thing, as he has said himself. Not a single person can walk out of the theater with a negative thing to say because Jim Cummings is in a class all his own.
Ewan McGregor brings his “A-Game” as Christopher Robin, making the character his own with relative ease. Hayley Atwell, though limited in screen time, also does a tremendous job in her supporting role. It would be great if we had more time to contribute to her character, but given the nature of the film, it’s not surprising she doesn’t get more to work with. Let’s also not forget Bronte Carmichael, who also provides a solid and adorable performance. Though The real magic comes from our furry companions, as Brad Garrett, Nick Mohammed, Peter Capaldi and company stay true to what makes Winnie the Pooh such an enduring franchise. It all comes together so splendidly.
Christopher Robin hits the mark, making you eager to go back and experience it all over again. This is a film that would make Walt Disney proud, being a perfect way to end the summer. Make sure to experience it on the silver screen, though please bring a box or two of tissues and possibly a jar of honey for a quick snack.
