As a fan of Winnie the Pooh, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' was always one of my favourite shows as a child. Not all childhood favourites have held up, but 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the strongest examples of those that have.
While the original three 60s-70s short films ('Honey Tree', 'Blustery Day' and 'Tigger Too') and the 1977 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' are just a little better, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the Winnie the Pooh franchise's high points. Both these episodes are great, but there has always been a marginal preference for "Stripes". Then again, have always had a big soft spot for Tigger-oriented episode as he's my favourite character.
The animation is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth. The music is playfully jaunty and beautifully orchestrated, enhancing sadder moments with poignant and particularly lush and emotional scoring and the more playful moments with a jaunty touch. The theme tune is very rousing and one of the catchiest theme songs of any animated show of the late 80s. Tigger's brief song in "Stripes" and the scene it features in makes for one of the show's most moving moments.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence. "Stripes" is a little more layered, balancing humour and pathos brilliantly, while "Monkey See Monkey Do Better" is the more humorous episode, with the interaction between the main characters and Bruno, the competitiveness for who can do things better and the characters' frustration at how inferior they feel handled incredibly entertainingly, even with Bruno being a more annoying version of King Louie at first. He does however become more amusing and you do feel sorry for him later.
Both stories are beautifully done and paced perfectly, even when kept simple (a good thing as the childhood innocence comes through stronger). "Monkey See Monkey Do Better" is more droll and funnier, but "Stripes" is more touching. 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' has been known to include morals and adult topics, prime examples being "A Very Very Large Animal", "Find Her Keep Her" and this, and one cannot help love the moral/message of that with or without stripes, his friends accept Tigger for what he is, that is an important lesson and it was conveyed very well.
The characters in both episodes still captivate, as does their adorable chemistry. The character interaction and their competitiveness with Bruno is a large part of "Monkey See Monkey Do Better's" appeal (even if Tigger is much more likable in "Stripes", for such a jovial character to see him somewhat rude to Bruno, no matter how annoying at first that character was, didn't seem in character for him, that may be just me though), but the characterisation of Tigger is superb in "Stripes". It sees him at his most likable and easy to empathise with, and he is aided by the droll writing, Paul Winchell's marvellous voice work and the simple and touching story.
Another standout character is Eeyore, usually he's endearingly pessimistic but in "Stripes" he manages to be the most intelligent character and is the voice of reason and the one that makes the most sense. All the characters are lovable though, even Rabbit. The voice acting is excellent, especially from Paul Winchell, iconic as Tigger.
In summary, two great episodes with "Stripes" being particularly fantastic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
While the original three 60s-70s short films ('Honey Tree', 'Blustery Day' and 'Tigger Too') and the 1977 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' are just a little better, 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is one of the Winnie the Pooh franchise's high points. Both these episodes are great, but there has always been a marginal preference for "Stripes". Then again, have always had a big soft spot for Tigger-oriented episode as he's my favourite character.
The animation is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth. The music is playfully jaunty and beautifully orchestrated, enhancing sadder moments with poignant and particularly lush and emotional scoring and the more playful moments with a jaunty touch. The theme tune is very rousing and one of the catchiest theme songs of any animated show of the late 80s. Tigger's brief song in "Stripes" and the scene it features in makes for one of the show's most moving moments.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence. "Stripes" is a little more layered, balancing humour and pathos brilliantly, while "Monkey See Monkey Do Better" is the more humorous episode, with the interaction between the main characters and Bruno, the competitiveness for who can do things better and the characters' frustration at how inferior they feel handled incredibly entertainingly, even with Bruno being a more annoying version of King Louie at first. He does however become more amusing and you do feel sorry for him later.
Both stories are beautifully done and paced perfectly, even when kept simple (a good thing as the childhood innocence comes through stronger). "Monkey See Monkey Do Better" is more droll and funnier, but "Stripes" is more touching. 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' has been known to include morals and adult topics, prime examples being "A Very Very Large Animal", "Find Her Keep Her" and this, and one cannot help love the moral/message of that with or without stripes, his friends accept Tigger for what he is, that is an important lesson and it was conveyed very well.
The characters in both episodes still captivate, as does their adorable chemistry. The character interaction and their competitiveness with Bruno is a large part of "Monkey See Monkey Do Better's" appeal (even if Tigger is much more likable in "Stripes", for such a jovial character to see him somewhat rude to Bruno, no matter how annoying at first that character was, didn't seem in character for him, that may be just me though), but the characterisation of Tigger is superb in "Stripes". It sees him at his most likable and easy to empathise with, and he is aided by the droll writing, Paul Winchell's marvellous voice work and the simple and touching story.
Another standout character is Eeyore, usually he's endearingly pessimistic but in "Stripes" he manages to be the most intelligent character and is the voice of reason and the one that makes the most sense. All the characters are lovable though, even Rabbit. The voice acting is excellent, especially from Paul Winchell, iconic as Tigger.
In summary, two great episodes with "Stripes" being particularly fantastic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
