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As a kid I enjoyed watching Yogi Bear cartoons, though I never thought I’d see the day those would get a big screen adaptation… not sure anyone would have thought that. But regardless, the big screen YOGI BEAR movie is upon us, coming in 3-D no less. Dan Aykroyd is the voice of Yogi, and Justin Timberlake is the voice of Boo-Boo, with both characters being done in cartoon-like CGI. Live-action stars include Anna Faris, and Tom Cavanagh (ELI STONE) as Ranger Jones.
The official studio synopsis is as follows: Jellystone Park has been losing business, so greedy Mayor Brown decides to shut it down and sell the land. That means families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors — and, even worse, Yogi and Boo Boo will be tossed out of the only home they’ve ever known. Faced with his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove that he really is “smarter than the average bear” as he and Boo Boo join forces with their old nemesis Ranger Smith to find a way to save Jellystone Park from closing forever.
I’m not sure how to feel about this one. We’ve certainly seen stuff like it in recent years – ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE and the SCOOBY-DOO movies come to mind. But looking at it as a kid’s film, maybe it won’t be that bad, and hopefully the nostalgia in me will forgive whatever shortcomings the film may have. Take a look and see what you think, then tell us in the comments.
YOGI BEAR opens December 17, 2010
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising artist. Clients have included the Dallas Mavericks and Stars. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Con and Sci-Fi Expo conventions. An avid moviegoer and cinema buff, Mark has been a film critic since 1994. 
