Yogi Bear (U)

Family (2010)
80mins US

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Anna Faris, Justin Timberlake, TJ Miller, Andrew Daly, Tom Cavanagh, Nathan Corddry
Director: Eric Brevig
Writer(s): Joshua Sternin, Jeffrey Ventimilia, Brad Copeland
Listings: London | Rest of UK and Ireland

Yogi Bear and pal Boo Boo live in a cave in Jellystone Park. Ranger Smith struggles to keep the double-act in check, and already has his hands full with an ambitious assistant, Ranger Jones. However, these are mere distractions compared to the underhand plans of Mayor Brown, who intends to sell off the park and auction logging rights to the highest bidder. The only way to save Jellystone is to throw a 100th anniversary party.

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LondonNet Film Review
Yogi Bear

Created by Hanna-Barbera, Yogi Bear gained a cult following in the 1960s, pursing his beloved "pic-a-nic baskets" in the fictional Jellystone Park, accompanied by dutiful sidekick Boo Boo...

The character's perseverance in the face of disaster and oft-repeated catchphrases ("I'm smarter than the average bear!") ensured that Yogi entertained successive generations of children. Cable channels endlessly repeat the animated series so it was only a matter of time before Hollywood gave Yogi and Boo Boo a 21st century makeover in eye-popping 3D. Live action and the digital effect don't always gel convincingly in Eric Brevig's film, and the plot is noticeably stretched to fill the running time. However, Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake offer cheerful impersonations of the furry heroes and the underlying environmental message is delivered with a refreshingly light touch between loopy action set pieces. There's nothing here to tarnish fond memories of the Hanna-Barbera incarnation. If anything, Yogi Bear 3D clings on to the wholesome, old-fashioned notions of the past, including a heartfelt speech from the eponymous bear "to fight for the things you love, whether it's a park, a girl or a roast beef sandwich."

Yogi Bear (voiced by Aykroyd) and pal Boo Boo (Timberlake) live in a cave in Jellystone Park, from where they mastermind the ingenious thefts of food using spring-loaded picnic tables. Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) struggles to keep the double-act in check, and already has his hands full with an ambitious assistant, Ranger Jones (TJ Miller). However, these are mere distractions compared to the underhand plans of Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly), who intends to sell off the park and auction logging rights to the highest bidder. The only way to raise the money and save Jellystone is to throw a 100th anniversary party. Documentary film-maker Rachel (Anna Faris) offers her support but Mayor Brown and his snivelling chief of staff (Nathan Corddry) have found the perfect fall guy to sabotage party preparations.

Yogi Bear 3D is an energetic jaunt into the great outdoors, plying slapstick and tender romance that should appeal to young and old. The scriptwriters pay attention to the burgeoning romance between Ranger Smith and Rachel, plucking a heartstring when he admits defeat and rues, "You and this park have one thing in common: you both deserve a better man than me." They strike a similarly sombre note when Yogi finally abandons the home comforts of his cave and attempts to live in the wild: "The world would be better off if I was only as smart as the average bear." The main feature is preceded by an animated short called Rabid Rider involving Wile E Coyote and Road Runner, in which the hapless canine comes to a sticky end on a Segway electric bicycle. Unlike Yogi, Wile will never learn.

- Kim Hu

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