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. "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" is one of the show's best episodes, especially for the pack rats. "King of the Beasties" is a lot of fun and is notable for being Jim Cummings' debut as Tigger, but of the Tigger-oriented episodes there is a preference for "The Masked Offender", "Stripes" and the Private Ear episodes.
The animation in both episodes is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth, "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" especially. 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.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence. Anything Tigger says cracks me up, though there may be some bias as Tigger has always been my favourite character, but credit has to be given to "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" for the moral not judging without the facts, an important moral delivered beautifully and to the point while also having subtlety.
Both stories have so much charm to them, helped by the delightful characters and their adorable chemistry that play a huge part in the show's remarkably consistent appeal. The stars are the cute but also hysterical pack rats, who are even better than they are in "Nothing But the Tooth" and deserved more appearances. The voice acting is excellent, while there is a preference for the iconic Paul Winchell voicing Tigger Jim Cummings, making his debut as the character, does a very good job.
In conclusion, two great episodes with the edge going to "The Rats Who Came to Dinner". 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. "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" is one of the show's best episodes, especially for the pack rats. "King of the Beasties" is a lot of fun and is notable for being Jim Cummings' debut as Tigger, but of the Tigger-oriented episodes there is a preference for "The Masked Offender", "Stripes" and the Private Ear episodes.
The animation in both episodes is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth, "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" especially. 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.
Writing has a perfect mix of whimsy, drollness, wit, charm and childhood innocence. Anything Tigger says cracks me up, though there may be some bias as Tigger has always been my favourite character, but credit has to be given to "The Rats Who Came to Dinner" for the moral not judging without the facts, an important moral delivered beautifully and to the point while also having subtlety.
Both stories have so much charm to them, helped by the delightful characters and their adorable chemistry that play a huge part in the show's remarkably consistent appeal. The stars are the cute but also hysterical pack rats, who are even better than they are in "Nothing But the Tooth" and deserved more appearances. The voice acting is excellent, while there is a preference for the iconic Paul Winchell voicing Tigger Jim Cummings, making his debut as the character, does a very good job.
In conclusion, two great episodes with the edge going to "The Rats Who Came to Dinner". 10/10 Bethany Cox
