When Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was announced last year, I was among the first to tear this film apart and question, “But why?” Just because it’s in the public domain, must we take the beloved, silly ol’ bear that I grew up with as a child and give him a horror twist? I have to admit, the whole thing seemed weird to me—taking this character and giving him the cinematic horror treatment simply because its copywrite protection expired. Sure enough, it was terrible.
It’s no secret that the first installment was a misfire. It lacked any redeeming qualities, just another dreadful, cheesy horror B-movie that was a bloody mess in all the wrong ways. And yet, despite its flaws, it bizarrely raked in an obscene amount of money with its meager budget of $100k. Now, onto the sequel—released just a year after the original. It’s a far more ambitious venture, but does that make it any good? The answer may come as a surprise.
Set after the events of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, the sequel thrusts us back into Christopher Robin’s (Scott Chambers) tumultuous world. Desperate to reclaim a semblance of normalcy, Christopher finds himself grappling with the fallout of the horrifying massacre he bore witness to. But normalcy seems like a distant dream when a horror movie depicting the gruesome incident hits the screens, casting doubt on Christopher’s sanity and painting him as either a lunatic or a murderer, or perhaps both.
Meanwhile, deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, Pooh, Owl, Piglet, and Tigger grow weary of hiding. Fueled by a restless desire to break free from the confines of their sylvan sanctuary, they hatch a plan to leave behind a trail of chaos and carnage in their wake.
As Christopher battles to reclaim his shattered reputation, the audience is drawn into a web of chilling intrigue. Through vivid and graphic sequences, we witness the transformed inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood unleash their primal fury upon unsuspecting victims, shattering the illusion of childhood innocence with each savage strike.
Screenwriter Matt Leslie (Summer of ‘84) teams up with co-writer and director Rhys Frake-Waterfield to serve up a sequel that’s anything but ordinary. So what sets this sequel apart? Well, the first one was just a downright bloody, gory mess with no real direction. The one actually has a plot and somewhat of a compelling story which is wild to say and think about. Leslie and Frake-Waterfield dive deep into the murky waters of the plot. Think intricate twists, heart-wrenching moments, and, of course, enough shocking kills to satisfy even the most die-hard horror fans.
Blood and Honey 2 emerges as a notable improvement over its predecessor, embracing its own unique identity with surprising confidence. The storyline delves deep into Christopher Robin’s pursuit to unveil the enigmatic origins of Pooh, weaving together moments of genuine suspense and intrigue that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Scott Chambers shines in his role as the protagonist, delivering a commendable performance that adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, particularly in a gripping scene shared with the hospital janitor Cavendish (Simon Callow.)
Yet, there are instances where the film grapples with its own identity. At times, it excels in delivering finely crafted slasher sequences that seem to borrow elements from other horror flicks. While these moments are undoubtedly impactful, they may leave viewers feeling as though they’ve stepped into a disorienting whirlwind of horror tropes. But fear not, amidst the gruesome chaos, there are moments of dark humor that truly bring a smirk to your face, and even a nod to the dreadful film Morbius when Pooh says “It’s Poohin time!” Yes, this really happens. On top of it all, there’s one scene—that we won’t spoil—that you’ll recognize when you see it, which had me on the edge of my seat, nearly falling over with laughter. It’s morbidly amusing in its own twisted way.
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 may not be hailed as a masterpiece, but it’s surprisingly, and I mean surprisingly, a genuinely fun ride. It’s competently shot, sporadically well-acted, and delivers plenty of gore that horror fans will revel in. For what it’s worth, it’s a f*cking amusing ride—considerably more ambitious than its predecessor. Take this review as you will, but we had a blast with this bloody, gory, trashy version of the famous beloved Bear.
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 is currently in theaters through March 28, 2024, courtesy of Fathom Events, ITN Studios, and Jagged Edge Productions.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRlBKYQsjXo]
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 may not be hailed as a masterpiece, but it's surprisingly, and I mean surprisingly, a genuinely fun ride. It's competently shot, sporadically well-acted, and delivers plenty of gore that horror fans will revel in. For what it's worth, it's a f*cking amusing ride—considerably more ambitious than its predecessor. Take this review as you will, but we had a blast with this bloody, gory, trashy version of the famous beloved Bear.
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GVN Rating 6
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User Ratings (1 Votes)
8.6
It all started when I was a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons like the Spider-Man: Animated Series and Batman. Since then I’ve been hooked to the world of pop culture. Huge movie lover from French New Wave, to the latest blockbusters, I love them all. Huge Star Wars and Marvel geek. When I’m free from typing away at my computer, you can usually catch me watching a good flick or reading the next best comic. Come geek out with me on Twitter @somedudecody.
Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey 2 defies expectations with its audacious blend of whimsy and horror. This bloody, gory delight offers a refreshing departure from the ordinary, captivating audiences with its dark humor and unexpected twists.