Last winter, director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, shocked the Horror-Nation with his film, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. At first, the horror adaptation of the beloved children’s tale was laughed off as a hokey cash in. Those laughs quickly turned into screams, then applause. Waterfield presented a no holds barred super slasher with creative kills and suspenseful set pieces. One year later, the team brings Pooh back, along with some new fiendish friends, for a little more honey and a whole lot more blood!
After surviving the 100-Acre-Wood massacre, Christopher Robin (Scoot Chambers) is doing his residency at the local hospital while attending therapy sessions to try and live with the memory of the murders. His hometown of Ashdown peers at the promising doctor with suspicious eyes, as the press and many locals feel that Christopher is the one who committed the atrocities. Local law enforcement and vigilantes scour the massive forest in search of answers. Their search draws them close to the true home of the hybrid predators. As the locals come closer to their domain than ever before, Pooh and his friends decide to take the fight to the town of Ashdown. Pooh, Piglet, Owl, and Tigger prepare to unleash unholy hell on their oppressors while hunting down the one that abandoned them years ago, Christopher Robin. While the carnage begins, Christopher begins to unravel the history behind the monsters, while learning how his own dark past is connected to these creatures. While the assault on Ashdown takes place, the dark mystery behind the horrors that live in 100-Acre-Wood is revealed.
It was asked, can this quick turnaround sequel hold up to the original? Director Waterfield responds with a resounding yes! This sensational sequel amps up the action and kills with an expanded budget and deeper plot. Waterfield presents several sensational kills along with one in particular that will fall into the top twenty-five of all time. Owl and Tigger bring new life to the tale with witty dialogue. One will be hard pressed not to demand a Tigger spin off after the terrific performance from Lewis Santer, who tears into the role. Chambers carries the narrative with great empathy as Robin is physically and emotionally put through the ringer during the entire run time. Only the over darkened lighting, which plagued some scenes from the first film, takes away from this full speed slaughter.
Twice now, Waterfield has answered the calls for a return to old school horror, with a simple yet realistic plot, creative kills, and pacing that keeps the audience licking their bloodthirsty lips for more. With a third film and a Poohniverse in the works, we can only hope this team continues to stick to the fright formula that has been a welcomed return to true classic horror.
Scream Score: 8.4/10