Tigger has always been my favorite denizen of 100 Acre Woods. My best friend in college and I used to bounce up and down the streets singing his song. So, it is no surprise that I enjoyed The Tigger Movie–although my daughter’s DVD time is usually “mommy’s work time,” I could not resist watching with her–but how did it look from a three year-old’s perspective?
We were swept up in Tigger’s journey as he searches for his family–only to realize they were right there with him the entire time.
I love the classic look of The Tigger Movie’s water-color style animation, reminiscent of both the classic illustrations and the original Pooh movie. I wonder if children more acquainted with slick, modern cartoons would find it as appealing, but my three year old certainly stayed engaged.
Tigger is a perfect character for young children–the very reason he is so lovable is also the same reason he can be exasperating at times. He indominatable energy is both infectious and exhausting. At the start of the movie, Tigger’s friends are tired of all his bouncing, trouncing, flouncing, pouncing, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! Hurt, Tigger goes in search of the family he’s never met. Tigger’s friends soon realize they miss Tigger’s joie de vivre and try to cheer him up. By the movie’s end, Tigger realizes that his friends are his real family.
The musical numbers also have an old-fashioned song and dance feel, which veers just to the charming side of corny. Although, I must admit I find the shapely legs of the female dancing Tiggers in “Tigger Family Tree” to be slightly disturbing. My favorite song is “How to Be a Tigger”, which gives each of our favorite characters an opportunity to express their appreciation of Tigger in their own unique way.
The Tigger Movie is a beautifully animated, well-constructed movie with an enduring message: home, and family, are where the heart is.
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WANT IT: The Tigger Movie ($19.50 on sale at Amazon)
