The Care Bear Movie: 25th Anniversary
Limited Edition (1985)
Picture:
B- Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: B-
Those
cute and cuddly Care Bears are back for the 25th Anniversary of
their first theatrical film release. The
film that started it all (well technically American Greetings’ toys started it
all) is now available for all to enjoy on DVD.
The Care Bear Movie: 25th
Anniversary Limited Edition (1985) is just as good as this reviewer
remembers.
The film
borderlines classic Disney. The film is simple
yet elegant. Join the Care Bears plus
the Care Bear Cousins (Elephant and Lion and such) as they battle the evil and
magical book that contains the spirit of a being that wishes to destroy the
Care bears and all caring in the world.
The magic book was found and opened by an unknowing child who wished for
nothing more than to have friends. The
evil spirit that possesses the book convinces Nicholas that the only way to get
any friends is to free him from his paperback prison. Follow the Care Bears on their epic journey
as they try to save the world from the evil spirit that wishes to destroy
it. This film introduced new characters,
new lands, and new ways to care. Overall,
a delightful animated classic that has managed to hold its own over the past 25
years. The film is sweet and has aged
well. The Care Bears have remained
popular for over two decades and there seems to be no slowing down.
The film
was a risky venture in 1985 since there was no guarantee a Care Bears’ film
would be as successful as a toy and simple television market. In an attempt to ensure success the animation
studio enlisted the skills of musical great Carole King to create the film’s
theme song. On top of the musical talent
classic voice actors such as Mickey Rooney and Georgia Engel were utilized
throughout the film as the caring critters.
In the end, extensive efforts were made to ensure this films success
ranging from a good wholesome storyline to a great talent lineup.
The
technical features on this 25th anniversary DVD are quite good and
do the 1980s classic some justice. The
picture is presented in a clear, clean, and bright 1.33 X 1 Full Screen format
and though the picture could still use more cleaning up in some of the darker/grittier
parts, overall, the picture turned out nice for a first attempt cleanup. The sound is nothing special presented in a
Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono that often times sounds distant and lacks that POP that
is to be expected. The extras are nearly
nonexistent only containing a single ‘Bonus Episode’ from the 80’s TV series
entitled Professor Cold Heart & The
Care Bears’ Battle the Freeze Machine
that remains an excellent episode from the series but does little in the area
of extras for this Anniversary disc.
Overall, the anniversary DVD is just enough to slide by for fans of the
lovable Care Bears but let’s up a more extensive DVD with extras appears on
Blu-Ray or HD.
The Care
Bears are not this reviewer’s first pick of animation excellence but after
managing to capture the interest of young and old alike for over 25 years there
has to be something there. The movie is
great and enjoyable; it even managed to beat out Disney’s Black Cauldron in 1985. So
have caring thoughts and a good Care Bear Stare ready for this 1980s classic.
- Michael P Dougherty II
