I am fairly certain that the first film I ever saw in a movie theater was a Disney film, "101 Dalmatians," I believe. Many of my seminal cinematic experiences, in fact, came from that venerated studio, then an exclusive haven to family friendly films.
Now, the release of a Disney film no longer heralds the family-friendly and quality guarantee. Some, like "My Favorite Martian," are laden with adult humor and sexual innuendo; some, like "Inspector Gadget 2," are relegated to a video only release, for reasons obvious to anyone with a fast-forward button on their remote.
Even 2001's "The Tigger Movie" was disappointing. The film, which depicted a lonely Tigger trying to reunite with his family, was cloying, pedantic and monotonous, and was even grimmer with the revelation that long-time "bouncy, flouncy" voice man Paul Winchell had been "let go" for economical reasons (Jim Cummings now provides Tigger's voice along with Pooh's).
But "Piglet's Big Movie" is a large step in the right direction. While retaining the somewhat cheesy tradition of repackaging several short stories into a feature (like the studio's direct-to-video "Tarzan and Jane" late last year), the film wisely makes these short subjects re-enactment's of A.A. Milne's delightful stories, never before animated. There's Kanga and Roo's arrival into the Hundred Acre Wood, the "exposition" to find the North Pole, and the construction of the House at Pooh Corner, all spotlighting the contribution of little Piglet, who is feeling insignificant and unimportant at the beginning of the film.
It also spotlights the remarkable range of John Fiedler, who has voiced Piglet for the last thirty-five years. Television viewers remember Fiedler as the mousy Mr. Peterson on the original "Bob Newhart Show." Fiedler is 92 now, and considering his advanced age, his vocal performance on this feature is downright extraordinary. His Piglet still emotes and resonates heart on so many levels, and his timing and instinct is never better.
The audience for yesterday's showing was composed of families seeking ninety-two minutes of relief from endless war coverage on television; many of them (including myself) still stinging from the loss of Mr. Rogers, another icon from our collective youth; children of all ages. And yes, kids from three to thirty-three gasped, chuckled and cheered these beloved characters, well-animated, and beautifully rendered.
Attention must also be paid to Carly Simon, who provides a clever original soundtrack, and helps capture the mood and the feel of the Winnie-the-Pooh of old, although venerable narrator Sebastian Cabot is still missed. And how wonderful to place upon youngsters the importance of books in the day and age of Play Stations and Game Boys.
If you're looking for that respite from current events, to share a more innocent time with your children, or maybe just sneak into a darkened movie house alone to recall your own childhood, "Piglet's Big Movie" just might work. In a less cynical environment, the film would probably flourish. For me, it reminded me of just what this studio can still do, when it tries.
By Bill Wilson
Tuesday
August 5th, 2025
4:52AM
