Review: Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
Pooh and the gang are back at it again in Rhys Frake-Waterfield’s sequel, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2. This slasher follow-up to the previous film has stepped up its game with better monster makeup and production values, likely due to a higher budget. However, the film still struggles with issues carried over from its predecessor. The digital effects remain rough, and the overall tone of the movie takes itself too seriously for a B-movie featuring the Hundred Acre Wood characters on a killing spree. Despite its ambitious goals of building a full cinematic universe around public domain childhood memories, Blood and Honey 2 falls short in executing its provocative premise.
The Characters
Blood and Honey 2 introduces new characters like Owl (Marcus Massey) and Tigger (Lewis Santer) into the mix, along with legacy characters from A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard’s world. The villains now sport improved costumes that resemble human-animal hybrids, giving them a more menacing look compared to the previous film. The makeup and costumes, while not perfect, show a definite improvement, with characters like Owl having a striking resemblance to iconic villains from popular franchises.
Performance
Scott Chambers delivers a notable performance in Blood and Honey 2, embodying the character of Christopher Robin with a sense of boyish charm and vulnerability. His portrayal adds depth to a character caught up in wild stories and skeptical neighbors. Chambers brings a soft and sorrowful touch to the role of a protective brother and son, adding emotional weight to the narrative.
Increased Slasher Hilarity
Blood and Honey 2 cranks up the slasher comedy with a higher body count inspired by modern horror films like Terrifier 2. The movie features a gruesome warehouse rave scene that ends in violent chaos, showcasing inventive and brutal death sequences that go beyond typical slasher tropes. From electric drills to flaming chainsaws, the movie pushes the boundaries of traditional horror kills.
Unimpressive Execution
Despite its attempts to amp up the horror elements, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey falls short of expectations. The film relies too heavily on digital effects and animation, which detract from the visceral impact of the kills. The cinematography struggles with shaky-cam shots that diminish the quality of the visual effects, making the movie feel disjointed at times.
Cinematic Universe Teases
Blood and Honey 2 plants seeds for potential crossovers and future storylines but fails to fully explore these ideas in favor of focusing on the slasher elements. The screenplay introduces new plot points and character dynamics that hint at a broader universe but ultimately fall short of delivering on these promises.
Tone and Character Development
The mix of B-movie absurdity and emotional subplots in Blood and Honey 2 creates a jarring contrast that detracts from the overall coherence of the film. While the movie excels in gruesome kills and horror elements, it struggles to develop secondary characters beyond their connection to Pooh and the main storyline.
Final Verdict
While Blood and Honey 2 aims to capture the same acclaim as modern horror classics like Terrifier 2, it falls short of making a lasting impact. The characters lack the depth and charisma of standout horror icons, and the film’s reliance on gore over storytelling leaves much to be desired. Despite some entertaining moments, Blood and Honey 2 fails to reach the same heights as its predecessor.