Yogi Bear

Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite pic-a-nic basket-stealing bear comes to the big screen in Yogi Bear, a new adventure, filmed in 3D, that combines live action with computer animation. Dan Aykroyd stars as the voice of Yogi, Jellystone Park’s notorious troublemaker, and Justin Timberlake as the voice of Boo Boo, Yogi’s faithful pal and co-conspirator in his never-ending schemes to separate park visitors from their lunches.

Yogi has always relied on his quick wit and fast feet to stay one step ahead of irate campers while dodging his long-suffering nemesis, Ranger Smith. But he and Boo Boo are about to face a situation worse than anything Yogi has ever gotten them into…

Jellystone Park is being sold!

To cover his mismanagement of city funds and fuel his election campaign, Mayor Brown plans to sell the park to loggers. Families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors Jellystone has always provided–and, even worse, Yogi, Boo Boo, and all their friends will be tossed out of the only home they’ve ever known. Faced with his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove he really is “smarter than the average bear,” as he and Boo Boo join forces with Ranger Smith to find a way to save the park from closing forever. – Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: November 17, 2010     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Children and Family, Comedy

Film Review

The character Yogi Bear was created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and debuted on the small screen in 1958. Over half a century later Yogi makes his appearance in a live-action film with the handy use of CGI and he and his trusty best friend Boo Boo are just as special and wonderful to watch today as they were many years ago.

Yogi (voiced by Dan Aykroyd) and Boo Boo (voiced by Justin Timberlake) are still living in Jellystone National Park. Their day-to-day life consists of perfecting the ultimate picnic nabbing device. Yogi is not the average bear you see but as much as he has great ideas they do not always work according to plan. Boo Boo, the more sensible and grounded of the two, cannot help but go along with his plans though as he always has a great amount of enthusiasm. Yogi’s positive and jovial outlook on life is infectious to all around him even if the fumbled antics and picnic basket thievery drives Park Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) crazy. But Yogi is who he is and why hunt for food when so many nice visitors to the park bring tasty treats with them? Yogi may not be the most authority friendly bear but he has an incredibly kind and loving heart, as the film shows throughout, and is always willing to help even if his “help” does the opposite of just that. When Jellystone is threatened to be shut down by the Mayor it takes Yogi, Boo Boo, Ranger Smith, and the help of a newfound friend in the documentary filmmaker Rachel to save the day.

For most people who grew up with a television during their childhood over the past 5 decades they are well aware of who Yogi Bear and Boo Boo are and their history. For children who may not know the film does an incredible job of introducing the characters so everyone is on equal ground. The plot itself is very simple and easy for any child to understand but not dumbed down to the point where an adult is counting the seconds until the movie is over. Yogi Bear, the movie, is very much like a cartoon as it does not dive very deep into the thematics but it does offer excellent commentary on loyalty, friendship, and acceptance while never losing speed with the action. Something is always happening so your mind never wanders or loses interest. What makes the film really shine is the spot-on re-creation of Yogi and Boo Boo by Aykroyd and Timberlake, respectively. When they speak for the first time it is shocking how much they sound just like the Yogi of your youth. The inflection and humor does not falter at any time and for a second you are transported back into your childhood. To a simpler time when watching a sweet bear and his best friend steal a picnic basket was the best time of your entire day. Being able to share this with a new generation is a great treat and everyone involved in bringing this film to the big screen has succeeded in making life a pic-a-nic once again.

Shot in 3D Yogi Bear is shockingly, given what has come before it time and time again, an animated movie where the 3D is used to broaden the humor of the film and add a level of excitement for the viewer. When Yogi careens down a wire between trees to nab a picnic basket he is larger than life, busting out from the screen. As the contents of said basket go hurling into the air it is a slow motion three-dimensional look at Yogi flying right beside them, and taking a quick snack while he is at it. In every possible place the animators have chosen to use the 3D element to their full advantage and it works incredibly well for the entire film. A sneeze is just a sneeze except when it comes flying at you in 3D droplets. The 3D makes the movie more playful and fun for everyone and only adds to the charm of Yogi and Boo Boo and their hilarious adventures in Jellystone. (Simply put, this is a movie where the additional cost for 3D is not a complete waste of money.)

This may not be the most laugh-out comedy but it has some great times where it happens for the viewer. It maintains a high-spirited and lively tone continuously so even if you are not laughing you are contently smiling. The best part about the humor in the ENTIRE movie is that it is age appropriate. Yes, this is a film made for children and the physical comedy is never violent or cruel to another. The jokes are not hiding beneath them something suggestive. Potty jokes and crudeness have no place in Jellystone. It is impressive to see a movie that can be funny without having to resort to more adult-oriented content, stereotypes, or crass behavior to make it enjoyable. Screenwriter’s Jeffery Ventimilia, Joshus Sternin, and Brad Copeland deserve a great big thank you for this one.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Eric Brevig
• Producer(s): Jeffrey VentimiliaJoshua SterninBrad Copeland
• Screenwriter(s): Dan Aykroyd (voice of Yogi Bear)Justin Timberlake (voice of Boo Boo)Anna Faris (Rachel)
• Story: Tom Cavanagh (Ranger Smith)
• Cast: Andrew Daly (Mayor Brown)T.J. Miller (Ranger Jones) Kent BeydaPeter JamesDavid Sandefur
• Editor(s):
• Cinematographer: John Debney
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): Entity FX
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USANew Zealand