The Care Bears were a line of multicolored teddy bears that racked up more than $200 million in retail sales in 1984. The Care Bears Movie was essentially a 75-minute commercial to introduce the new Care Bear Cousins, d... more »isguised as a smarmy story about sharing feelings. The film earned $23 million theatrically and ushered in a spate of cheap animated films created to sell merchandise to children. The plot interweaves the stories of Kim and Jason, two lonely orphans who have given up caring, and of Nicholas, a friendless magician's assistant who's seduced by an evil spirit. The Care Bears resolve everyone's problems. Years later, the Care Bears' popularity has waned and the film stands as a reminder of one of the less admirable uses of animation. The stars, hearts, rainbows, and saccharine songs can't disguise the barefaced commercialism behind the threadbare story. --Charles Solomon« less
Amanda F. (Scooby3) from HENDERSONVLLE, NC Reviewed on 3/28/2010...
This is a great Care Bears movie. It's definitely a classic. I remember watching this when I was younger. Who doesn't like bears that talk and have "magic".
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
I beg your pardon!!
T. Greer | Santa Rosa, CA USA | 11/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Amazon.com review is totally unfair!! I can't believe the sarcasm and vitriol behind it!!Admittedly, this film WAS designed 90% to sell the toys and greeting cards and other material based on the Care Bears. However, of all the animated series created during the 80s (and now!) this one actually had something good to say. MANY, MANY good things to teach children of the "Material Girl" era: that love, caring, loyalty, and friendship were the best things in life to value, and are the most enduring values in this world. The movie was fun, the characters cute, the story (while slightly thin) was straightforward, and the performances were great.If someone wanted to find out more about the first Care Bears Movie (there were two more made), they wouldn't get a true feeling of what the movie is about by reading your review. That, to me, is a disservice!I give this movie 4 stars. Since I'm a total Care Bears fan, I would normally give it 5 stars; but to be fair, it is a "commercial" movie. Thus, 4 stars, but much love to the movie anyway. If you (as a shopper) are looking at purchasing the Care Bears Movie for the first time, I would rent it from your local video/DVD rental store (or from Netflix) first before making any decisions. I think you'll like it, though!"
Care Bears...Commercialism, Goodness, or BOTH?
zoomom2000 | North Carolina, USA | 03/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, whether you agree or disagree about the commercialism of this movie, most people (with the exception of Amazon's critic, apparently) would tell you that it is just a plain old-fashioned good thing for kids to watch! I watched the Care Bears, including this movie and the cartoon TV show, when I was a kid, and it re-iterated the things that my mom spent so much time trying to teach me...that there is good in the world, that caring and being a friend is more important than always having/doing things 'your own way', and that love is everything. These are values that have unfortunately gone missing in most of the cartoons today. Luckily, this movie is still around for my own children to watch and learn from, so they can still get good wholesome entertainment with a positive message. Was it commercialism? Yes. But then again, so are 99% of the cartoons out there today. Seriously...who can name one cartoon on TV today, or one big hit movie at the theatres, that doesn't have it's own line of toys, lunchboxes, sleeping bags, sheets, stuffed animals, etc? And yes, those toys do come out, often several months, before the movie. The point is this: Who cares if there was commercialism involved? There is in most things in life, but at least The Care Bears Movie also sends a loving, positive, caring message to kids!"
A Child's Classic Animated Movie.
zoomom2000 | 09/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was made when the Care Bears were popular. Now the only kids animation children watch these days are Pokemon, Dragon Tales, and all those other animated TV shows which just aren't as educational or fun to watch as the Care Bears! The Care Bears were always a favorite of mine, and I grew up watching Care Bears. I don't own this movie (I own the second Care Bears movie, Care Bears' Nutcracker Suite, and Care Bears in Wonderland), but I've seen it at my best friend's house and loved it. This one is about the Care Bears helping a young boy named Nicholas who can't trust anybody and doesn't think anybody loves him. A great message for children and if I had to choose between letting my kids (if I had kids, which I don't) watch either Care Bears or Pokemon, I'd definitely have them watch Care Bears! Plus, the animation is fantastic and very colorful, so it'll definitely attracked the eyes and attention of the children. The humor in Care Bears is light and funny, and I definitely recommend this movie to all Care Bears fans!"
Enjoyable entertainment for your young ones
Mr. Bey | Riverside, CT United States | 06/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first encountered Care Bears when my baby sister started watcing them even though they've been around in my time. I have to say they're really addicting to watch. She loves them and has about 30 of them which she plays with them by having a Care Bear Conference and it's no suprise she loves this movie. I've always been a fan of Mickey Rooney and he was wonderful in this film. This story follows the care bears as they battle an evil spirt who has tricked a boy named Nicolas into destroying all the caring in the world. They encounter the care bear cousins as they search for the two remaining children who care in the world. The story teaches lids about caring and loving and it is a great movie for children. My only problem with this movie is that they change the story in the next movie but overalll it is a must buy and your kids will want to watch it again and again."
I'm reviewing this on behalf of my ... daughter
W. Klaila | Minneapolis, MN | 09/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My ... daughter asked me to rent her the Care Bears movie for the evening. As a work-weary dad, I took that opportunity to grab a nap on the couch while she watched the movie.
I awoke at the end of the movie to my daughter's ravings about the Care Bears - I mean, she is a FAN.
But, I'm writing this review because of something she said that startled me. She said the movie made her "feel different inside". She just wanted to lay on the couch and enjoy that feeling. We talked about how the best movies, books, or music can do that to you.
Smarmy? As an adult, I have to agree... but I have a feeling my daughter will be watching Care Bears many times over."