Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

This Winnie The Pooh hour long special was made by DisneyToon Studios using an episode of the Winnie The Pooh animated TV series. As a kid, I used to watch this all the time at Christmas, and I even had the episode featured on this video on another Christmas VHS which had an episode with Piglet using 'magic skates' to bring his confidence up after failing to play ice hockey (or ice cookie because Roo didn't have a hockey puck and had to use a cookie instead) because of how small and timid he is. I still love and remember it now, but deciding between the two of them to review this month, I ultimately decided to choose this one because I thought there would be more to say about it and I honestly think I prefer this one for reasons you'll hear in this review as I go into the story. Anyway, does this hour long special show that the beloved residents of the Hundred Acre Wood can lift up our Christmas spirits, or is it as irritating and annoying as having honey on the root of your mouth and I should've reviewed the other VHS I grew up with? Let's find out!
Story: Although this uses the episode from the Winnie the Pooh TV series, I like that it's told as a story in Pooh's house with Pooh realizing he didn't ask for a present on the group's Christmas list and decides to get the letter before Santa gets it. In order to make everyone feel better, Pooh decides to impersonate Santa and send everyone rather amateur versions of their presents which don't impress them, including a barrel with a spring and shoe in place of snow shows for Tigger, a suitcase in place of a home and a teapot with a hammer in place of a sprayer to kill pests. Then, after they tell the story and Christmas Day, Pooh realizes he forgot to give Piglet his present and keeps on looking for it until New Year's Eve, when Christopher Robin comes and tells him to make a New Year's resolution. This results in everyone else switching personalities after Rabbit threatens to leave because of how annoyed he is at everyone. This leads to some very funny scenes including Eeyore being overtly happy as Pooh, Pooh being as gloomy as Eeyore, Piglet being hyperactive and bouncing all the time and Tigger being frightened all the time. It's kind of structured like a three episode movie sequel, but at least it's cohesive, the stories are connected, and it's funny, sweet and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling after watching it!

Animation: I know this is going to sound weird, but the backgrounds don't fit with the animation, as if it doesn't integrate with the characters like when they touch something like the tree. However, the style does look pretty and colourful, helping with the Christmas mood like with Pooh's house. Also, because it shows a TV episode in the middle, the animation is rougher and cheaper, so it's clear it wasn't made for this special. However, the rest is good like the character designs looking cute and clean, as well as the character animation being fluid. Overall, it's not bad, in fact most of it is good, there are just a few tweaks that need working on.

Characters: It's really nice to see all the characters we know and love in this special because they're sweet, funny, cute and heartwarming. Pooh is well, Pooh, always eating a small smackeral of honey but having a good heart. Piglet is still his timid self, but is afraid for the right reasons and cares about his friends. Rabbit is still the cynical, worrying yet funny rabbit we love who gets irritated at Tigger's hyper personality. Speaking of Tigger, he's probably the funniest character like he always has been bouncing around like what tiggers do best! Kanga and Roo are still the sweet kangaroos who come and help Pooh and the gang make the Christmas tree at Pooh's house. Oh yeah, Eeyore is still the sweet yet gloomy donkey, but is hilarious when he tries to be Pooh being all happy eating honey! The characters are still their same old selves, but for this, that's how they should be. Oh yeah, nice seeing Gopher again!

Songs: Yeah, there are a few songs, despite it being an hour long. The first one is just a version of Jingle Bells with new lyrics, but it is enjoyable and funny. The second one is a new one all about having fun in the snow which is pointless, but still fun for kids. Then there's a little song when Pooh is feeling gloomy about not having any honey, which is actually pretty sad because of Eeyore being like Pooh. And the final song is surprisingly a version of Auld Lang Syne at the New Year's party. Overall, they're fun, sweet and short, just like how they should be.

Overall this special is very charming with a sweet story, nice animation, and memorable and lovable characters we remember. I highly recommend this for families with small children because it's for certain that children will enjoy this for the humour and characters, and parents can enjoy how heartwarming it is with the message. Actually, thinking about it, I don't hate anything to do with Winnie The Pooh because you can't help but find him and his friends cute and adorable!
Story: 9/10
Animation: 7/10
Characters: 10/10
Overall: 8/10