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 New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is, as said a few times already, a rare example of a show with not a bad episode for the whole four seasons it ran, and has something for kids and adults alike. Both "April Pooh" and "To Bee or Not to Bee" are brilliant episodes, if neither among my all-time favourites from the show.
The animation, in both the episodes but with "April Pooh" getting the slight edge, is very bright, well drawn and colourful, everything looking lush, detailed and smooth. In addition to that, the music is playfully jaunty and beautifully orchestrated, enhancing sadder moments with poignant and particularly lush and emotional scoring, whimsical parts with an energy but also pathos 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. Again this is present in both the episodes, and it is impossible to say which episode did it better, because both are very funny, often hilarious, and really warm the heart. Both episodes are very effective in their simplicity.
"To Bee or Not to Bee" especially is told cleverly, as the gang explain through storytelling why they are playing war, the funniest moments being when the story is told from Rabbit's perspective. "April Pooh", centred around finding the April Fool, is simpler but just as funny and charming, with some inspired situations like Rabbit being made to think he grew a giant carrot, Pooh's honey being extra sticky, Piglet thinking his house is underwater and Tigger suddenly looking different.
Love all the characters, especially Tigger as well as their friendship, family-like bond and loyalty regardless of arguments and character flaws. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, Jim Cummings can do no wrong and Ken Sansom really shines in "To Bee or Not to Bee".
In conclusion, further proof of how wonderful 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' is, with everything that is so good about the show present in both episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
