 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Yogi Bear
- Review Date: December 15, 2010
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Dumber-than-average family comedy won't even impress kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this broad comedy based on the Yogi Bear cartoons is age-appropriate for most elementary schoolers. There are some cartoonish, slapstick disasters (people falling, pies hitting Yogi in the face, people evacuating a campsite after fireworks start flying everywhere, etc.), and some insults (such as "stupid" and "loser"), but other than that, things are pretty tame. One couple does flirt and eventually shares a brief kiss, but there's no overt sexuality. The consumerism is also surprisingly mild, with only a few cars as product placements. Amid the silly humor, kids may learn how valuable state and national parks are and why it's fun to explore the outdoors with your family. Note: The 3-D version of the movie makes some parts feel more immediate/lifelike, but it doesn't have the "scary" factor that other 3-D flicks do.
What's the story?
Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) runs Jellystone Park, which is known for being home to a talking, picnic basket-stealing, smarter-than-the-average bear named Yogi (voiced by Dan Aykroyd), as well as his diminutive best pal, Boo Boo (Justin Timberlake). Smith and his slightly dimwitted deputy, Ranger Jones (T.J. Miller), are visited by Rachel (Anna Faris), a nature documentarian who wants to capture Yogi and Boo Boo's antics for a film. But the ambitious, unethical Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly) decides that in order to successfully run for governor, he must rezone Jellystone for "agricultural purposes" to help turn the near-bankrupt city's budget crisis into a surplus. The only glitch in the mayor's plan is that he can't take control of Jellystone if it's profitable as a park, so Ranger Smith -- with Rachel, Yogi, and Boo Boo's help -- attempts to raise thousands of dollars in one week, before the park is closed to the public forever.
Is it any good?
YOGI BEAR may be known as the smarter-than-the-average bear, but this frankly dumb movie has neither the nostalgia factor necessary for parents to really enjoy it nor the visuals to justify the 3-D surcharges at movie theaters. Sure, young kids who are just starting to understand comedy will laugh a few times -- especially because the movie stars two talking bears -- but parents will probably wonder why yet another cultural touchstone from their youth has been remade in the broadest, least original way imaginable.
It's a shame; the comic actors are all talented performers, but there's just no point to the story. We've seen this same plot line (save the animal/park/zoo/habitat) a dozen different times. The low point of the uninspired dialogue has to be when Faris, playing eco-friendly filmmaker Rachel, stares directly at the camera and says "I love this park!" Aykroyd will always be a favorite comedian from the '70s and '80s, and he deserves so much more than this cheesy, forgettable save-the-forest flick.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's environmentally friendly message. What point is it making about parks? Do you agree?
Compare this movie to others based on cartoons. Which other cartoons do you think should be adapted for the big screen?
Was Ranger Jones actually ready to be named head ranger? What happens when you're allowed to do something you're not mature enough to do yet?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Hey hey, Boo-Boo: It Could Have Been Worse
After being completely traumatized by "Tangled," it was kind of nice to see a movie so banal and uncomplicated that even the most timorous toddler (or overanalytical parent) will survive it with nary a tremor. I set my kid movie nadir at "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," and my acme at movies like "Meet the Robinsons," "Princess and the Frog," "Up," and "Despicable Me." This was modestly above the sybarite canids, and measurably below the top of the heap. Nevertheless, it was gently entertaining, harmless, and features appealing voice talent for the CGI bears and very decent acting by the male and female leads. The villains are cartoonish and inept. The story is thin as Mae West's peignoir, but it's positive. This is not a movie you need to see in 3D, as the combination of live and CGI characters undermines much of the effect's power. In a nutshell: if, like us, you ended up missing the movie you meant to see, don't be afraid to take the younger set to it. Both my kids liked it very much.
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AGE
The kids just carck up over this one
The kids just carck up over this one. Yogi is still the same old Yogi, but modernized somewhat. It has quite a few moments of "I hope my kids don't try that out at home". But overall it's a fairly good movie.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 29, 2010
AGE
waste
Bad movie with bad voices bad acting and a no good point it makes the cartoon look like the best show ever kids won't like it any way so just save your money.
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AGE
We all enjoyed this movie as a family, everyone got a laugh, just like the old days watching Yogi Bear cartoons!
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AGE
No, just no.
This movie was made for one purpose and only one purpose: money. That's the only reason films like this are being made. It has familiar characters and cheap sets and actors. Don't see this, really parents, see Tangled instead.
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AGE
No Lessons, Just Entertainment
I took my 7 yr. old granddaughter to see this and we enjoyed it for what it was - an hour and a half of entertainment. Other than Yogi stealing picnic baskets, there were no bad deeds left unpunished. The ranger is a good role model. He takes his job seriously and even when he is transferred to another park, he does as he is told without trying to extract revenge. The jokes aren't forced and there is no sex nor sexual innuendo and this is rare for any movie today, even Disney movies.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 6, 2011
AGE
Don't just sit there and watch this crap!
This movie has a new title: stupid.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 8, 2011
AGE
a movie thats just for entertainment with no strong message
I hated the movie the message was kind of weak and the role model was an oversized bear who talks and always steals and is lazy. There was rude humor and I couldn't wait to get out of the theater. It is simply about trying to save a national park with a dumb bear who made everything go wrong. It might be hilarious for younger children but my 7 year old brothers just hated it, since they are a bit mature but otherwise it was a horrible movie for just entertainment with no really strong message except saving the National park with an evil guy who wanted to destroy it and make it like a modern place with fake trees.
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| Topics: | wild animals |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Eric Brevig |
| Cast: | Anna Faris, Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake, Tom Cavanagh |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 83 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 17, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | March 22, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild rude humor |
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