YOGI BEAR (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Stars ììì

Yogi Bear dared to do something no piece of entertainment should ever do—it fails its audience. One basic tenet of entertainment is: Stay true to audience expectation. While this film begins with the familiar Airstream pulling into Jellystone Park, the family preparing to enjoy lunch, and the appearance of Yogi Bear stating it is time to introduce himself to the family’s pic-a-nic basket, the story deliberately moves from the innocence of its original theme into the tangled, duplicitous world of environmentalism; modern political machinations; and commercial interests. The desire to relive childhood memories revolving around Yogi Bear’s simple primal urge to steal pic-a-nic baskets, his inventive approaches to outwitting Ranger Smith, and his lovable relationship with Boo Boo are completely lost in a preachy, modern approach/view of the proper use of forest lands and best ways to resolve financial crisis. Entertainment needs are not met with the delivered content.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Yogi Bear (voice of Dan Aykroyd) attempts to foil a plot to log Jellystone Park using the ‘Let’s find an endangered specie’ ploy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Eric Brevig for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Lee Berger, James Dyer, and Andrew Haas for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Yogi Bear (voice of Dan Aykroyd), Boo Boo (voice of Justin Timberlake), Rachel (Anna Faris), Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh), Ranger Jones (T.J. Miller), Chief of Staff (Nate Corddry), Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly), Narrator (voice of Josh Robert Thompson), and Mayor’s Tailor (David Stott).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The trite storyline does not present anything new or refreshing and moves the film away from the gentle comedy that originally created its faithful audience.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers