A sequel of sorts to Pooh's Heffalump Movie (Frank Nissen, 2005), the feature which introduced the character of Lumpy the Heffalump to the Pooh universe. As with the previous movie, this one was also animated by DisneyToon Studios, the television production arm of Walt Disney Pictures. Unlike Pooh's Heffalump Movie, which enjoyed a theatrical release, Heffalump Halloween was a made for video effort. The movie is comprised of roughly two thirds new material, the remainder being recycled from the television special Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh (Rob LaDuca, 1996).
Once again, Pooh is relegated to co-star status in a film which largely revolves around Roo teaching his best friend Lumpy about the Hundred Acre Wood's 'trick or treat' traditions on the young heffalump's first Halloween. During the course of which Roo attempts to 'unscare' Lumpy by telling him of the Halloween which was almost a Hallo-wasn't due to Piglet's fears of the spooky season. Taken from the earlier special, this noticeably different footage presents us with the awkward narrative conceit of Roo narrating a story in which neither he or Kanga appear, as both were inexplicably absent from the episode.
Presented as an original movie and opening in a style similar to the classic Pooh featurettes, one would be forgiven for thinking this was a regular feature film. The repackaging of TV product as new material was common at Disney in the early 2000s. Arguably detrimental to the studio's reputation, this is a practice that they have thankfully discontinued. The patchwork nature of the movie is evident in the varying animation styles between the segments. The TV episode, although of higher quality than most TV animation, cannot help but look like a 1990s Walt Disney Television Animation production. The latter material is overall brighter, cleaner and exhibits a little more fluidity than Boo to You! and considering its made for video origins is quite pleasing.
Narrative issues aside, the film is passable entertainment for the very young; the toothless, yet sweet, confection contains no real frights for even the smallest of viewers. Children will undoubtedly find Lumpy adorable and may even enjoy the handful of forgettable songs. The expected messages about braveness and friendship are hammered home without a hint of subtlety.
There are certainly worse kid's movies out there than Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie, but there are much better Pooh movies. The youngest and most undemanding fans of the bear of very little brain will probably be enchanted by this spooky special. Older children and grownups would be much better served by watching Walt Disney's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (John Lounsbery & Wolfgang Reitherman, 1977), or by reading the original A. A. Milne stories upon which it is based.
Related reviews:
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004):
https://jinglebonesmovietime.blogspot.com/2019/06/movie-41-winnie-pooh-springtime-with-roo.html
Winnie the Pooh (2011):
https://jinglebonesmovietime.blogspot.com/2019/06/movie-50-winnie-pooh-2011.html
Birds of Prey aka The Perfect Alibi (1930)
https://jinglebonesmovietime.blogspot.com/2019/05/movie-number-13-birds-of-prey-aka.html
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