Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…
1 John 4:18a

Add another to the excellent collection of stories taking place in the Hundred Acres Woods. Again, adults need not fear that they will suffer boredom by attending along with their children. And also once again, a lesson of tolerance is passed on to young viewers without a trace of preaching. Not bad for an all too-rare family movie.

The gang has been hearing loud thumping and harrumphing in the woods, which they attribute to a heffalump. They set off in search of the evil monster, leaving little Roo behind because he’s too little to tag along. His mother Kanga assures him that one-day he will be big enough to join with Pooh Bear, Tigger, Piglet, and the others.

The gang fails to find the monster, although they see its huge footprints everywhere. Meanwhile Roo does come across a baby heffalump named Lumpy, ropes him, but soon discovers that he and the little elephant have a lot in common. They love their mothers and are thrilled at playing in water and mud. They also discover that each has been taught to fear the other. When Poo remarks that heffalumps are dangerous, Lumpy asks, “Who told you this?” Roo answers, “I don’t know. Everybody just knows.” (Where have you heard that before?) Before long the two new friends will have their hands full convincing the others that what “everyone knows” just isn’t so.

The voice talent includes Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger; Nikita Hopkins as Roo; John Fiedler as Piglet; and noted British actress Brenda Blethyn as the mother you don’t want to mess with, Mama Heffalump. I wonder if the film’s gentle message of tolerance will arouse the ire of certain conservative church leaders, as did Spongepants Bob? After all, Lumpy is pink. Regardless of what some think, go with that child in your life, assured that its message of love and goodwill is presented in such an entertaining way that you too will enjoy it.