'TIGGER MOVIE' OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

A.A. Milne's ``Winnie the Pooh'' books feature such a wide range of characters that just about any reader can find one to identify with and love. There's Pooh's sweet simplicity, Piglet's big-hearted timidity, Rabbit's bossiness, Roo's belief that he can do big things and Eeyore's lovably gloomy pessimism.

But if ``Pooh'' fans could pick one character they'd most like to be, I'd wager the majority would choose that exuberantly bouncy tiger, Tigger, simply because he always looks like he's having so much fun. But in Disney's wonderful new ``Pooh'' film, ``The Tigger Movie,'' we find that being a Tigger isn't always as entertaining as it appears. It's a great premise for a movie that is a sweet and entertaining addition to the ``Pooh'' canon.

If you remember his song in ``Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day,'' Tigger revealed that ``the wonderful thing about Tiggers is that I'm the only one.'' In ``The Tigger Movie,'' he discovers that his singularity can be kind of lonely sometimes. (With lines like ``Half this bounce is 90 percent mental,'' he should seek out Yogi Berra.) So Tigger determines to find his family, much to the concern of his animal friends, who try to convince Tigger that, no matter what, he has a family right there at the Hundred Acre Wood.

The movie's familial themes are certainly commonplace in Disney animation, but writer-director Jun Falkenstein's creative use of Milne's vivid characters makes the movie an enjoyable ride. Besides, no one is coming to ``The Tigger Movie'' for fresh insights. This is cinematic comfort food, and ``Pooh'' lovers - young and old - will find it delightful.

Although ``Pooh'' has remained a pretty constant presence on the small screen, ``Tigger'' brings the animal characters back to theaters for the first time in 17 years. (The movie is also the first ``Pooh'' full-length feature film; 1977's ``The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh'' collected three previously released shorts.) The filmmakers have wisely decided to remain true to illustrator E.H. Shepard's line drawings, giving the movie a look that's decidedly old-fashioned, but charming (and appropriate) as well.

Other elements have remained constant, too. Songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote all the music in the previous ``Pooh'' featurettes, have come up with several winning new songs. The Shermans also wrote the movie's beautiful end-title song, ``Your Heart Will Lead You Home,'' with Kenny Loggins, whose 1972 hit ``House at Pooh Corner'' remains a favorite with diehards.

The new music, which features the Shermans' inventive wordplay (the team composed many of Disney's best-known songs, including the ``Mary Poppins'' score) is often accompanied by imaginative animation. The best sequence has Tigger wildly envisioning his family tree; at the other end of the emotional spectrum, Pooh sweetly sings a lullaby to some bees so he can savor some honey. Those two songs show the range of this fine family film. Each of Milne's beloved characters has some time in the spotlight (that slow-talking sad sack Eeyore gets the best laughs), and the movie tempers Tigger's manic energy with quiet scenes involving gentle wisdom.

Thus, you don't have to love Tigger (or any of the ``Pooh'' characters for that matter) to enjoy this engaging movie. And you'll leave with a decided bounce in your step.

THE FACTS

--The film: ``The Tigger Movie'' (G).

--Behind the scenes: Directed by Jun Falkenstein. Screenplay by Falkenstein based on a story by Eddie Guzelian. Released by Walt Disney Pictures.

--Running time: One hour, 25 minutes.

--Playing: Citywide.

--Our rating: Three stars.

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Photo: Tigger welcomes his good friend Pooh to a party in a scene from Disney's ``The Tigger Movie.''