The Care Bears 25th Anniversary Edition
Collection (Lionsgate)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D Episodes: B-
25 years
after their television cartoon creation Lionsgate reminds us of why we love
those kissable, huggable, and sickeningly sweet Care Bears. Now available on
DVD is The Care Bears 25th
Anniversary Edition Collection from Lionsgate in a gift box. The collection is sold in a nicely put
together cardboard gift set with 4 individual DVDs and a soft and cuddly Care Bear Doll. The 4 DVDs feature a total of 25 classic
episodes of the original Care Bears
Series (none of that new washed out Care
Bear stuff), but the episodes are in no particular order.
The fact
that this release does not feature a volumized or season set of Care Bears is very, very disappointing
and actually makes this reviewer not recommend this set to fans. All 4 DVDs found in this release have been
previously released and are nothing special.
Each of the 25 episodes are still classics with good storylines, music,
and animation style. Though this
reviewer loves the original Care Bear
Series this release is just too simplistic and poorly put together to be
worth while.
The
technical features of this 4 disc DVD release are nothing spectacular; even
with that awesome stuffed Care Bear, as seen in the picture above. The
picture quality of the image on the DVDs are not very impressive in its
original 1.33 X 1 Full Frame presentation, but that was how the episodes were
originally aired *shrug*. The quality is only slightly better than an
analog VHS, containing a degree of debris, bland colors, and a grainy
appearance. The sound is a weak in its Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround format,
often having high/low issues. Apparently since this particular DVD is
directed at children, no extras were found to be necessary. This is one release that fans of the series
would have definitely liked to have seen some CARE taken with; I just can’t
BEAR to see one more bad quality Care Bears’ release!
Lionsgate
needs to release Care Bears in sets that
focus on their original season air dates and not these half hearted ‘best of’
releases. Overall, fans should stay away
from this particular release but maybe this release is good for parents who
just want to keep the rugrats distracted for a good while…especially with the
stuffed bear. *hugs*
- Michael P Dougherty II
