To many Yogi Bear is a classic icon. A symbol of childhood. A measure of youthful innocence. I adored the human like animal when i was a kid; yet I cannot lie, I dreaded Warner Brothers' film starring Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. The previews looked a bit overdone and the plot line appeared non-existent.
Well guys, I'm here to bite the bullet and admit my defeat. While nowhere near perfect, Eric Brevig's Yogi Bear is a unique and fun adventure that fits perfectly with the holiday season.
Now I could cheer loud for the acting, the magnificent character development and the refreshing story; however, none of that was present here. Instead, viewers are treated to a generic adventure that soars above the rest thanks to its title character.
Anna Faris and Tom Cavanagh serve as our 'human' leads, and while neither stands a chance alongside Yogi both do what they can to make the adventure a memorable one. I applaud Warner Brothers for making both humans a bit awkward as their cheesy, over the top personalities give the film a bit of much needed flair. I will say that the film's main villain, Mayor Brown, is a bit of a misguided stereotype. I could tell where they were wanting to go, but I never saw them actually get there. Luckily the film survives on its innocent humor and relatively short run time.
It is quite obvious I am not the target audience for this film, and therefore my enjoyment should be taken as a sign of a good thing. Sure there is the occasional joke for the older audience; however, rest assured, Yogi Bear is a sacrifice parents make for their children. It doesn't stack up to the likes of Alvin and the Chipmunks or The Polar Express, but it is an enjoyable film that should entertain the very young during their time away from the classroom. But then again, what would you expect from a character that is 'smarter than the average bear!'?
