Care Bears: The Giving Festival Movie
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Forgettable holiday fare with social lessons, product push.
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What's the Story?
The Care Bears are excitedly preparing for their annual holiday celebration. It's very windy with no end in sight! Everybody's worried that they'll have to cancel the Giving Festival. While they anxiously wait for the wind to stop, they recall other adventures that they've shared. In the first remembered tale the Care Bears have a run-in with their archenemy Grizzle, who ties their home to a cable and tows them far into the sky in an effort to get rid of them. A second flashback adventure finds the Care Team trapped in a cave when the entrance collapses, while, in the meantime, True Heart Bear is trying to overcome her fear of the Thunderbolt roller coaster by preparing for and taking a wild ride. In the final episode just when the Care Bears think they've solved their weather problems, Princess Starglo is kidnapped by Windle, the Bear who controls the wind. He throws all manner of gusts and ice to keep the Care Bears from rescuing her in time for the Great Festival.
Is It Any Good?
The Care Bears are cute, cuddly good citizens. They giggle and laugh. They rub their tummies so their special powers can work magic. They save their friends and even make their enemies feel better about themselves. And all the while, they spout simple lessons about caring, sharing, and helping others.
Still the Care Bear production team (American Greeting Cards launched the franchise in the 1980s, starting with a line of greeting cards) hasn't figured out how to make their movies (or merchandising pitches) clever, up-to-date, or truly engaging for anyone other than the very youngest kids, some of whom might find the villains' behavior a little too scary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Care Bear movies and TV shows help the company sell their toys and games. Kids: Have you ever asked a grownup to buy you a toy after you've seen a movie or show?
How did Oopsy help True Heart overcome her fear of roller coasters? If there's something you're afraid of, do you think Oopsy's ideas might work for you?
Why is Grizzle so mean to the Care Bears? Do you think the fact that he's smaller than the others makes him feel bad?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 2, 2010
- Cast: Ian James Corlett, Scott McNeil, Tracey Moore
- Director: Davis Doi
- Studio: SD Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 67 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 22, 2022
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